Redlight Traffic: Catching Pimps via Big Data

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A new iPhone/iPad app came on the market earlier this month.  Created by Amin Haq of Leadership Eastside, this easy-to-use app helps members of the public recognize the telltale signs of sex trafficking and gives them an easy and safe way to report what they’ve see.

You may be wondering why you should pay attention.  After all, isn’t the sex trade something that happens in far-away, exotic lands?  To other people?

No.  Unless Northgate Mall is counted as far away and exotic.

Yes, slavery is alive and well and in our backyards.

I’ve begun hearing from some of my students about witnessing attempts to lure young girls into cars.  Wondering what was happening, and if they should intervene.  Fortunately, the targeted girls did not go for the bait. 

Those targeted are in their tweens and teens.  Eleven years old is apparently not too young to be forced into prostitution.

Take a look at this article from The Seattle Times for more info.

While it is supposed to also be available on the Android market, as of November 25 I have not seen it in the Google Play store.

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Amy Cuddy Was Here!

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Prof. Amy Cuddy, of the Harvard Business School, gave a talk at the University of Washington last night.  Alas, I was not able to attend.  Those of you who have taken my Self-Defense 101 classes know how her work on body language, perception, and self-perception can contribute greatly to your personal safety.

That’s because every attacker needs a target and an opportunity.  Dr. Cuddy’s work on body language is relevant to your personal safety because you can learn how to make yourself less likely to be targeted.

Even if you, like myself, did not attend Dr. Cuddy’s lecture, you can still benefit from her knowledge.  She has readily-accessible media, including:

  • a TED Talk, 
  • a Vimeo video (this is the one that’s required viewing for my 101 students), and
  • this interview from yesterday with Marcie Sillman at KUOW-FM’s studio.

There’s a few more short ones online, so take a look around and be prepared to be informed and fascinated!

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One Lonely Blog

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I confess, I’ve neglected this blog for over 6 months.  With any luck at all, I’ll resume posting.

Part of the delay is more teaching time.  Yes, there are now more self-defense classes available.  Self-Defense 101 for Women is now a six week course (up from 5 weeks), and offered in more venues:

  • Seattle Central Community College and Bellevue College continue to offer Self-Defense 101
  • Self-Defense 101 replaces the Weekend Workshop at the ASUW Experimental College
  • South Seattle Community College will offer it for the first time this winter
  • Its premier at the University Heights Center was very successful, and it will again be at that location by winter’s end
  • And Self-Defense 101 will appear at the Phinney Neighborhood Center the second week in January — the class was just posted, and it is already almost half full!

See more info at Strategic Living’s Self-Defense 101 page — find your class today.

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