Child trafficking, particularly for sexual exploitation, has increased dramatically in the United States over the past 15 years, and the numbers of victims continue to rise each year.

"The average age keeps getting younger and younger -- for girls, it's now 12," says activist and novelist Heather Huffman (www.heatherhuffman.net), whose newest book, Devil in Disguise, aims to raise awareness of the problem.  "The rise of the internet is a huge part of the problem, and society has found no effective way to address it."

In fact, she says, those who profit from the internet seem determined to thwart safeguards. Social media giant Facebook, she notes, is working on technology that would allow it to circumvent federal law by allowing children 13 and younger to become members. And in June, a website that advertises escort services successfully sued to stop Washington state from enforcing its new law requiring publishers to verify the ages of people in sex ads.

"The law was intended to help prevent trafficking children," Huffman says. "Other states have similar laws either soon to take effect or in the works, and this ruling threatens that potentially effective preventative measure."

The plaintiff in the Washington suit was Backpage.com, the second-largest online classified ad service in the country. Such websites, including the biggest, Craigslist, regularly post ads for escort services and the like, Huffman notes. They make it easier than ever for traffickers to appeal to a mass audience for paying customers.

They, along with social media sites where children freely chat and post photos of, and information about, themselves, account for much of the growth in domestic child trafficking, she and others say.

"When we place our children's pictures on sites like Facebook, or allow them to do so, we're adding them to a human trafficking catalog," Huffman says.

Whether you're a parent, an educator, a law enforcement or another adult who deals with children, she offers these suggestions for helping prevent, recognize and stop the trafficking of children.

• Watch for repeated unexplained absences from school. Children being used for prostitution often don't attend school regularly and seem to have no control over their schedule or personal identification papers. They may talk of frequently traveling to other cities. People working in shelters, courts and law enforcement should strive to identify whether children detained as runaways, truants or for drug-related offenses are actually trafficking victims. They are often too afraid or ashamed to volunteer the information.

• Be alert to physical problems. These children tend to be underfed and inappropriately clothed. They may have bruises and other evidence of trauma. They're often fearful and/or withdrawn, and may show signs of drug addiction.

• Lobby for legislation in your state to make all minors immune to criminal prostitution charges. Some states, including Illinois and Tennessee immunize anyone younger than 18 from prostitution charges. Connecticut immunizes children 15 and younger, and requires a presumption by law enforcement that 16- and 17-year-olds are victims. Huffman and other experts say that charging and jailing trafficking victims compounds their trauma and prevents them from seeking help, since they feel they can't trust law enforcement. It also unfairly burdens them with an arrest record for being a victim! Find out the status of your state and lobby for change, if necessary.

• See if your city's mayor has joined an ad boycott of Village Voice Media. In 2011, the mayor of Seattle asked Village Voice to protect the city's children by ensuring they were not being advertised on its website, www.backpage.com. When the corporation failed to respond, he pulled city advertising from all its publications. Other mayors have since followed suit. At www.sharedhope.org, you'll find a list of mayors who have yet to take action. If yours is on the list, click to send him or her a letter. Get to the list by clicking the "Get Involved" tab, and then "Join the campaign."

"Solving this problem is the responsibility of all adults," Huffman says. "If you don't believe it can happen in your family, be aware that runaways are now targeted, on average, within 48 hours of leaving home. And even 'normal' kids sometimes get mad and run away, if only for a day. It's horrifying to imagine the disastrous results a momentary pique of childish temper might have."

About Heather Huffman

Heather Huffman is a writer, former human relations specialist and mother of three, whose 12-year-old son has started his own group to fight human trafficking, 61 Strong. She is the author of six previous books in the romance fiction genre, including "Throwaway" and its prequel, "Tumbleweed." A portion of proceeds from sales of "Devil in Disguise" will benefit groups fighting human trafficking.

We have an epidemic in this country and it's name is Alzheimer's disease.  More people will die from this disease this year than breast and prostate cancer combined.  It is the 6th leading cause of death and the only one in the top 10 causes with no way to prevent, cure or slow the progression.  More money is allocated to fighting obesity than Alzheimer's.  We need all of you...  We need to raise awareness, raise funds and promote research...  We need to raise our voices to make noise so people take notice.

The reviews are in on President Obama's grassroots swing across Iowa. The President crossed the state talking about the importance of Iowa's wind industry and building an economy from the middle out instead of the top down.

"From the military wife, to the middle school science teacher, to the union representative, to the family self-sufficiency coach, to the other 2,900 in attendance -- one and all took their own piece of inspiration from President Barack Obama's campaign speech Wednesday at the Alliant Energy Amphitheater in the Port of Dubuque," writes the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. The Denison Bulletin & Review pens the trip "provided an opportunity that few Americans are afforded - the chance to meet a president in person." The Marshalltown Times-Republican cites that a "historic moment was made Tuesday" when President Obama became the first sitting President since Franklin D. Roosevelt to visit Marshalltown.  Here's a full rundown on what Iowa newspapers are saying about the President's trip:

Obama champions middle class in Oskaloosa speech (Oskaloosa Herald, 8/14). President Barack Obama told the audience at his campaign stop in Oskaloosa Tuesday that they have a critical choice to make at the polls this November. "It is a choice between two fundamentally different visions of how America became great and how it's going to stay great," Obama said to 852-person audience gathered underneath shade trees at Nelson Pioneer Farm just outside Oskaloosa. http://oskaloosa.com/local/x1040821729/Obama-Clear-differences-between-candidates

Obama rallies supporters in Boone (Webster City Freeman Journal, 8/14). President Barack Obama said it was good to be back in Boone County for a campaign stop yesterday afternoon at Herman Park. Crowds packed the park pavilion, chanting "four more years" in support of the President. He began his speech by stressing the importance of the coming election. "It is not just a choice between two candidates or two political parties, but more than any election in recent memory, this is a choice between two fundamentally different visions about how we move this country forward," Obama said. http://www.freemanjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/519884/Obama-rallies-supporters-in-Boone.html?nav=5006

Obama: Election choice will impact generations (Des Moines Register, 8/14). President Barack Obama kicked off his three-day Iowa tour with a clarion call to view this election as a stark choice about America's future ? and ended the day in the Bud Tent at the Iowa State Fair. Before he got to his Bud Light and pork chop, there was plenty of red meat politics, and lots of idyllic Iowa scenes. He stopped at a farm to talk about the drought and rode by scores of wind towers, hundreds of people waving American flags, and thousands of acres of drought-shriveled corn. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120814/NEWS09/308140049/Obama-Election-choice-will-impact-generations?Frontpage&nclick_check=1

Obama: 'We've been very good for the farm economy' (Carroll Daily Times, 8/14). President Barack Obama Monday announced a raft of agricultural initiatives aimed at stemming the fallout from the worst drought in a generation.  At the same time, while the full effect of Mother Nature's stinginess with rain in much of the nation unfolds, the president told a reporters' roundtable in Boone that his administration deserved some credit for the generally favorable farm economy over the past four years. http://www.carrollspaper.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=14407

Obama's message to voters: This one counts (Nonpareil, 8/13). For the first time on an overcast morning, the sun came out as President Barack Obama took the stage at Bayliss Park Monday. It was an electric atmosphere as an estimated 4,300 packed the park to catch a glimpse of the president as he kicked off three days of campaign activities across Iowa in Council Bluffs. Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder songs blared through the public address system as an anxious crowd waited for the commander and chief, but it was U2's "Beautiful Day" that blasted forth as Obama mounted the stairs. http://www.southwestiowanews.com/council_bluffs/news/obama-s-message-to-voters-this-one-counts/article_213ea8ae-e57b-11e1-9f85-0019bb2963f4.html

A presidential visit in Denison (Denison Bulletin & Review, 8/14). The combination of President Barack Obama's schedule and Denison's location along the route of two campaign stops on Monday - Council Bluffs and Boone - provided an opportunity that few Americans are afforded - the chance to meet a president in person. President Obama's motorcade traveled Highway 30 from Missouri Valley to Boone Monday afternoon and stopped at around 3 p.m. at Summer Magic tropical sno for one of Obama's favorite treats - shaved ice. http://www.southwestiowanews.com/denison/news/local_news/a-presidential-visit-in-denison/article_e5855b3c-e647-11e1-8245-0019bb2963f4.html

Obama says Romney doesn't understand importance of wind energy (Radio Iowa, 8/14). President Obama touted "home grown" wind energy today during a midday speech in Oskaloosa and criticized Republican rival Mitt Romney for opposing extension of the wind production tax credit. "He said that new sources of energy, like wind, are imaginary. His running mate calls them a fad," Obama said. http://www.radioiowa.com/2012/08/14/obama-says-romney-doesnt-understand-importance-of-wind-energy/

Obama: Clear differences between candidates (Ottumwa Courier, 8/14). President Barack Obama spent much of a half-hour speech in Oskaloosa drawing distinctions between himself and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.  "It is a choice between two fundamentally different visions on the path we need to take for our kids and our grandkids," Obama said. http://ottumwacourier.com/cnhi/x1744866290/Obama-Clear-differences-between-candidates

An historic hail to the chief (Marshalltown Times-Republican, 8/15). As President Barack Obama walked across the Miller Middle School gym floor arriving at the podium and saying "Hello Marshalltown," an historic moment was made Tuesday. Obama is the first sitting president to visit Marshalltown since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940. http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/551903/An-historic-hail-to-the-chief.html?nav=5005

Obama attacks Romney's economic plan during stop in Waterloo (WCF Courier, 8/15). President Barack Obama stressed an economic message Tuesday night in Waterloo, saying electing Mitt Romney would mean a return to trickle-down economics. Speaking before a crowd of 1,800 at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre, Obama criticized Romney's economic plans, saying the idea of giving more tax breaks to wealthy Americans won't help the middle class and won't stimulate the economy. http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/update-obama-attacks-romney-s-economic-plan-during-stop-in/article_e82b251a-e66f-11e1-bb15-001a4bcf887a.html

Estimated crowd of 3,000 hears Obama speak in East Davenport (Quad City Times, 8/15). President Barack Obama criticized Republican rival Mitt Romney and running mate, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, telling thousands of people at two rallies Wednesday in eastern Iowa that he has protected Medicare, but the Republican ticket would turn it into a voucher system and end the program "as we know it." The argument over the health insurance program for seniors could be crucial, particularly in Iowa, a swing state with a large number of elderly. http://qctimes.com/news/local/estimated-crowd-of-hears-obama-speak-in-east-davenport/article_8e96ac3e-e685-11e1-8e31-0019bb2963f4.html

Obamas woo Dubuque (Telegraph Herald, 8/16). From the military wife, to the middle school science teacher, to the union representative, to the family self-sufficiency coach, to the other 2,900 in attendance -- one and all took their own piece of inspiration from President Barack Obama's campaign speech Wednesday at the Alliant Energy Amphitheater in the Port of Dubuque. http://www.thonline.com/news/tri-state/article_35dade16-ea74-56d3-a60b-4b949d0fb8c3.html

From the box-office smash "The Avengers" to the summer hit "Madagascar 3" reigniting the 3-D craze, movie lovers are more enthralled than ever with film magic, and many fantasize about becoming a part of it. Their annual Westward migration from every film and acting and writing school in the country is as active as ever as they seek their chance to wield the Hollywood wand.

In such a competitive and crowded circus tent, how can a person ensure they catch that elusive trapeze?

Here are five tips from film director Guy Magar, picked up over 30 years making movies and TV shows and teaching through Action/Cut Filmmaking Seminars, the educational course he founded. Magar is also the author of the new Hollywood memoir and love story, Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot, about his years in Hollywood which is a must-read for all who love movies (www.kissmequickbeforeishoot.com).

· Find out if you really love it. "The movie business demands passion and dedication; the work is difficult and exhausting, the journey fraught with disappointments and financial stress," he says. "So you better find out if this is truly something you want and you're ready to sacrifice whatever it takes." The best place to do that is at a film school or a university filmmaking program. "This is where I fell in love with the cinema and forged my commitment to the craft," he says.

· Find out if you're any good at it. When you discover that less than 5 percent of the 125,000 actors in the Screen Actors Guild ever make a livable wage in any one year, the reality check about how competitive this business is can be quite intimidating, Magar says. So it's not enough to love it - you have to have an aptitude for the craft if you want a chance at bat. "You better be one of the very best directors or writers or cameramen or actors wherever you're studying and developing your work, so you can gain the self-confidence to throw your talent in a very crowded ring," he says.

· Get your showreel ready! No one is going to hire you unless they can see what you can do. For a director, you better have an award-winning "wow" short. If you're a writer, have some dazzling, unique screenplays. Actors need a great reel with diverse scenes showing range from comedy to drama. Cameraman? You need a reel that sizzles with cinematic visuals. Don't come to Los Angeles without a reel. It shows who you are, what you can do ? and why you're worth paying to do it.

· Networking! Networking! Networking! "The movie business is first and foremost a people business," Magar says. "Regardless of your talent, you better be good at schmoozing and an extrovert at heart." It's all about who you know, who can introduce you to whom, who likes you, who is willing to help you move forward, he says. If you're a great networker, you have a better chance at a career than if you're talented with no social skills. Introverts do not apply!

· Enjoy your journey or the dream will be a nightmare. Don't put off having a life until you "get there," he says. The big secret is to enjoy the journey and to have a life in the industry, regardless of the amount of work and accolades that may or may not come your way. You must commit to making a fulfilling life for yourself if you're to find happiness in Tinseltown. Family, friends and a soulmate are as important and fulfilling as career gains. "They will sustain you in much deeper emotional ways than winning a spot on a softer toilet paper commercial," he says.

Magar says his career in Hollywood was an exciting, gratifying one. "Between the words 'action' and 'cut', I get to make my magic ... my visual storytelling," he says. "I fell in love with making movies and have continued loving it for more than 100 production credits in my career."

"If you share that passion to make film, have a terrific sense of humor to balance the obstacles, and can manage the five tips above, then welcome to Hollywood. Break a leg!"

About Guy Magar

Film and TV director/writer/producer Guy Magar has worked for more than 30 years in the motion picture industry. He recently published his Hollywood memoir, "Kiss Me Quick Before I Shoot: A Filmmaker's Journey into the Lights of Hollywood and True Love." His TV credits include "La Femme Nikita," "The A-Team," "Dark Avenger" and "Blue Thunder." His feature films include "Lookin' Italian," "Stepfather 3," "Children of the Corn: Revelation," and the cult thriller "Retribution," to be rereleased on DVD for its 25th anniversary this summer 2012. Magar has taught and inspired thousands of students through his Action/Cut Filmmaking Seminar, and his Action/Cut Short Film Competition is designed to discover and encourage new talent annually. He is a popular public speaker who inspires young filmmakers.