Human Trafficking is recruitment, control and use of people for their bodies and labor. People all over the world, are being bought and sold against their will. Through force, fraud and coercion criminals are able to get rich at the expense of a human life.
That’s happening right now, in the 21st century! There are MILLIONS of slaves in the world today. That’s more than ever before in human history, but we don’t hear much about it. Unfortunately, only 1% of human trafficking victims are rescued, and 99% of people who are enslaved right now, will NEVER be free. Unless we do something.
Trafficking is a 150 billion dollar industry. It’s the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. Trafficking includes sex trafficking, forced labor, bonded labor, involuntarily domestic servitude, and child soldiers.
Victims are trafficked is various methods. Methods like false job ads, by family members or a friend, abductions, and false immigration.
Here are some SIGNS to look out for:
Controlled by another person
There are physical abuse signs
Controlled movements
There’s a lack of earnings
Substance abuse
A lack of trust
They are unfamiliar with the language
They have a lack of personal belongings
Signs of dependence
They seem overly fearful, depressed and have submissive behaviour
They’re in bad health and/or malnutrition
A false job offer
Feelings of being trapped
There’s a lack of official documentation
If you suspect it REPORT IT. We can abolish slavery everywhere by speaking up for those who can’t!
There are so many amazing books out there. So, where do you start, and how do you find the good from the bad in the sea of confusion? According to the Goodreads List (October 2020), these were the best books in the Crime and Mystery Book section:
1. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
A disappearance and unusual partnership to find the truth and expose corruption.
2. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
A curious assortment of strangers at a private island getaway. A possible murder, and every guest holding secrets that will seal their fate.
3. Angels & Demons by Dan Brown
A cryptic symbol seared into the chest of a murdered physicist, deadly vendetta against the Catholic Church, and the Illuminati.
4. Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier
Swept off her feet by a dashing widower, but a shadow of his late wife could cost their lives.
5. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
A murder in 1959, and no apparent motive for the crime with almost no clues.
6. The Godfather by Mario Puzo
The Mafia underworld, first family of American crime fiction, and their powerful legacy of tradition, blood, and honour.
7. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
A home in heaven that isn’t what she expected, and life on earth continuing without her. Her killer trying to cover his tracks, and her grief-stricken family unraveling.
8. The Name Of The Rose by Umberto Eco
A wealthy Italian abbey suspected of heresy, and an investigation overshadowed by seven bizarre deaths.
9. Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn
Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?
10. Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
Shutter Island is the home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane. An investigation into the disappearance of a patient will reveal that nothing is what it seems.
In finding this list, there was one really important thing I learnt – I haven’t read ANY of them! I guess I have some reading to do…
How many of the above books have you read on the Goodreads List, and what didn’t make the list that should have?! Share them in the comments below.
I smooshed August and September reading into ONE video.
In the latest CGSP Booktube video, I’m going over the books I read, and what I thought! I can’t wait to share about the great writing that’s out there (besides my own!). Check out the video below:
I hope you enjoyed the video, and I can’t wait to get the results on my October reading list.
If you want to check out WHAT I’m reading during October, you can watch the game that I went with to decide what made it, and what didn’t!
For other Booktube videos, head to the CGSP Youtube page!
A serial killer, technology, and a detective determined to find the truth. Come along on a murder mystery adventure, with The Murder App – Chapter four!
Ella Strong stared at the scrolling men as she flicked through her options. This dating app was like all the others. The only difference was that a killer stalked this one for his victims. Or her victims. That had been a consideration early on; that women could murder women. They’d quickly moved past it with the discovery of the ties at the crime scenes.
Her profile donned an actual image of herself, but the rest was fictional. They’d looked at the other profiles, and tried to include things that the killer would want in his next victim. Her likes and dislikes contained things like hiking in the outdoors – something she hated – and adventure sports, but also things like baking and dancing in her living room. That last one, she had to admit, was something she liked to do on occasion.
The keys jingled in the door, and Ted called out for her. She told him she was in her home office, and a few moments later, he popped his head through the door.
“Hey, hon. How was your day?” He moved the rest of his body into the doorway.
Ella sighed. “It was okay. How was yours?”
Ted frowned and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “My day was okay. It didn’t sound like yours was.”
She rolled her eyes and went back to her screen. “It’s just this murder case. It’s taking a toll.”
He moved into the room behind her and kissed the top of her head, wrapping his arms around her and leaning his chin on her shoulder.
“Oh, come on, I can’t be so annoying that you’re looking for another husband already.” The false whine made her giggle and she shrugged, bouncing his chin off balance as she did.
“I’m just checking my options, in case.”
Ted scoffed and stood straighter. She turned and smiled wide as he put his hand over his heart like he had been struck by an arrow. “Ugh! That got me, right here.”
She chuckled then shook her head. “I’ve set up a catfish profile for my killer. We’re hoping he’ll take the bait and we can catch him when he goes after me, instead of another innocent woman.”
Ted dropped his hand, and his smile and frowned. “Is that safe?” The humour was gone from his tone, but his voice was still soft and caring. One of the things she loved about him.
“As safe as any other sting I go on. We’ve got things in place to make sure of it. We need to catch this guy, and this could be the best way.”
Ted stood for a moment, staring at her, then finally nodded slowly. “You know what you’re doing.” He moved over to her and kissed her gently, then pulled back and smiled. “I trust you. Want some dinner?” he asked over his shoulder as he left the office.
“Love some,” she said, the smile still on her face. As he moved out to say hello to Samson and start on dinner. He was a better cook than she was anyway.
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She turned back to the screen, just as her phone buzzed with her partner, Steve Evan’s number.
“Strong,” she answered.
“Hey Ella, we got a hit on those ties.”
Her eyes shot up. “Really?”
“Yeah. You were right about bulk orders. There were only a few in recent months leading up to the first killing. Two were from clothing houses, and another was a personal buyer. We’re heading to the store where he purchased the order tomorrow. We can question the staff and get a clue as to who it was.”
“Maybe they’ll still have security footage,” Ella said as she processed the information.
Steve scoffed, “From months ago? I doubt it. At the least, we as for a description.”
She nodded and was about to request a lift to the store when a notification on her dating profile dinged through the computer.
“Hang on Steve, that’s my profile notifications.”
Steve was silent on the other end, waiting as she clicked onto the icon and sifted through to the right section of the program.
Clicking onto the notification carefully, Ella sucked in a breath.
“What?” Steve asked.
“Someone just sent me a wink.”
“Is it him?”
She rolled her eyes. There would be at least a few normal people to sift through before they found the killer, but this would be a start. “Maybe. I guess I’ll have to wink back.”
Come back next month for chapter five, in The Murder App!
When I started the Christy Grace Scarlet Pen website/blog, I didn’t realise that ‘Serial Blogging’ was a thing. Then, I started one, and I STILL didn’t realise that’s what it was called.
The Hannah Carmichael Chronicles was my first attempt at serial blogging. It was a weekly series about a super spy called Hannah Carmichael. She was searching for her missing husband, navigating conspiracies, rival spies and her complicated family.
Even though I didn’t know it was a thing, I still wrote and posted Hannah’s adventures. Eventually I complied all 70 instalments and created an eBook.
Okay, so what did I learn from the serial blogging process?
I realised:
Releasing an instalment every week, meant a cut in quality
Editing was hard – especially when putting all 70 instalments into an ebook
Creating the ebook was a challenge in itself!!
Sticking to a weekly schedule can be hard. Particularly if you’ve got a full time job as well
Falling in love with characters is easy
It’s easy to get carried away and end up writing way too many instalments.
After everything I went through with Hannah, I have a deep affection for her and those characters. The story was my turning moment – the one where I remembered my passion for writing, and found my genre.
Since writing and releasing HCC, I found myself starting another serial blogging series. It comes out every month, and combines technology with murder! The Murder App is my next series, and I’m having fun with new characters and adventures. You can check out the first chapter of the series by clicking on the image below.
What is a continuing story that YOU would want to read? I’d love to hear your ideas, or see a link to your own serial blogging story!
I know, I know… It’s October. BUT in our house, it’s the start of the Christmas decorating season… It sounds silly when you say that out loud, but I have a reason!
Yes, my family actually starts putting up Christmas decos in October. I think a little Christmas cheer a bit early is a good thing. It’s all about Joy, Hope, Peace, and a bunch of other amazing things. Who wouldn’t want that a few months early? Especially this year!
“That’s still crazy!” I hear you saying, but wait for the reasons. Granted, our reasons are a little sad, but I prefer to think of them as special. Every family has their traditions after all, and this one is ours. Of course, when you tell people about it they give you a look like you’ve either just told them that the sky is actually a soft pink colour, or that their nose is actually on their back…
Over ten years ago my Mother was diagnosed with cancer, and she was worried that it would be her final year to spend with us. So, in October she put up the decorations, and is still here 10+ years later. BUT, the decorations in October stuck! It’s a reminder of making it through a tough time, and being here with family and loved ones! It comes from a sad place, but it’s turned into a joyous tradition (all while giving everyone we know a good laugh!)
What are some Christmas traditions that YOU wish could last all year, or come a little early? Is it the Christmas tunes, dinners, or decorations (like us)? Share them in the comments below! I’d love to know.
Not everyone is ready for a cup of coffee at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. So, I’ve got the highlights of my Live video for you!
On Saturday, I chatted about my author partnership with A21. What does the Global Freedom Summit means for me – and you! Do you want to check out what I’M doing in the fight to abolish slavery forever? Check out the video of my Coffee Catch Up with Christy (FB LIVE) below:
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I hope you enjoyed the video, and I can’t wait to see YOU in the fight against human trafficking and modern day slavery. If you want more specific information on A21, you can check out their website >>>here. Or you can see my blog post where I went over the amazing partnership I’ve got for my first book KIDNAPPED ENTANGLEMENT >>>here.
October is CRIME PREVENTION MONTH. Check your own country/state information on what you can be doing to prevent crimes against you, your family, and your community. We need to keep each other safe – especially in these challenging times!
Furious Fiction is a short story workout for a writer!
I hope you enjoy this CGSP Short Story that was entered in a recent FURIOUS FICTION.
All of my family were out there. I could see them through a small crack that I wedged open in the door. They’re waiting for me. Sweat trickled down the back of my neck as I paced the small back room of the large church. This event wouldn’t get started until I went out in front of all those people.
I know I shouldn’t be afraid of my own family and friends, but this wasn’t just an everyday event. It was an ending. Or a beginning, depending on how you wanted to look at it. All we knew was coming to an end; there wasn’t any way around it.
Of course, I could always leave and not deal with it all. I could Jump over the chairs, and head for the large doors at the back of the room. I shook my head, quickly discarding the idea, and turned back to my earrings on the small table. If I was going out there, I was going to look my best.
My hands shaking, I attempted to poke one through my right ear. The sweat was all over my hands now, and I tried to wipe one hand on my clothes. The earring flipped out of my hand and rolled under the table. Groaning, I shuffled onto my knees and narrowed my eyes as I searched for the small, pearl earring.
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“Aha!” I yelled out loud as I spotted it, wedged between the back, table leg, and the wall. I yanked it free and stood to my feet, slipping it into my ear.
“Susan, are you ready?” My cousin Emily asked through the door. “We’re all waiting for you to start this thing.”
I sighed. “Just a minute Emily,” I said.
Great; it was time now.
How was I going to do this? How was I going to honour the man out there? Nothing I could ever say could portray my feelings about him. I felt for the notes in my pocket, then nodded and sucked in a deep breath. I was going to do this service; no matter what.
As I got myself together, I opened the door and smiled at Emily. She cut the lights to the room behind me, and we walked closer to the doors. I listened quietly for my queue. As I walked towards the front of the church, the butterflies pounded in my chest and stomach. I wasn’t used to being in front of a crowd like this.
As I finally made my last step towards the pastor at the front, he gave me a wink. I turned and stared at the man who I wanted to honour; my groom.
Furious Fiction is a fun story competition to stretch yourself and write less than 500 words in 55 hours. This story was to take place in either a wedding, or a funeral. I wanted to try and get BOTH as a possibility as you were reading; right up until the very end. If you want to enter Furious Fiction, check out the AWC website for all the details.
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