Tag: dwdobbs

Human Trafficking: a Bold Discussion with Detective Joseph Scaramucci

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So far, I’ve only done about a half dozen podcast episodes, yet I’ve already learned that some interviews go better than others. I never know how a guest will act once we hit the record button, so I was delighted to discover that with Detective Joseph Scaramucci, nothing changed. He was the same guy during the interview as he’s been over a beer. The topic of human trafficking is heavy. It can feel like a hopeless situation, but talking about it with Detective Scaramucci, an expert on the subject, left me feeling less hopeless.

Detective Joseph Scaramucci:

Old School Texas Lawman with a Sophisticated Twist

Joseph Scaramucci is an old school Texas lawman with a sophisticated twist. He has a great sense of humor, but he’s also a deep thinker. He’s unusually candid and outspoken — qualities that are common with officers but typically expressed only within the safety of their inner circles. Scaramucci, however, lays it all on the line. In that respect, he reminds me of a honey badger. When I asked why he felt comfortable to speak so freely, he credited his boss McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara for being a good leader who empowers his officers. Without micromanaging or fear, Sheriff McNamara simply lets his deputies do their work.

Throughout our conversation, Detective Scaramucci shared many difficult truths. Here’s one of them: “Law enforcement can’t be victim centered.”

That might sound cold, but it makes sense. Victim advocates, therapists, social workers are victim centered. Law enforcement, Scaramucci explained, “Should be trauma informed but offender focused.”

That doesn’t mean he lacks compassion. (You’ll witness his compassion when the idea of arresting “hookers” arises in the interview.) He knows it’s important to understand how trauma impacts a victim’s thinking and behavior, but he will gladly direct victims to the social workers for in-depth assistance so that he can put on his body armor and take care of business. The man is committed to taking care of business, too. After an hour of recording, we took a short break during which he pulled himself an espresso and, pretending to be a fifteen-year-old girl, finalized a date with a middle aged white guy whom he arrested shortly thereafter.

Throughout the interview, Detective Scaramucci gave shout-outs to those who are doing good work and called out those who aren’t. He praised other law enforcement agencies and nonprofits, like Collective Liberty and Unbound (a global organization with an office in his town of Waco). He also shared his frustration with vigilantes, conspiracy theorists, cops who cling to antiquated thinking, and mom groups on social media who spread ignorance disguised as prevention. He cautioned donors about operations founded and/or run by former members of [insert federal agency here] who go on “rescue missions” to save trafficked children. Too many people believe that someone who has military/law enforcement experience or looks super-duper-tactical automatically knows how to investigate trafficking and extract victims from foreign countries. Sadly, people are falling for the rhetoric of some of these so-called anti-trafficking rescue groups, getting emotionally blackmailed by the #savethechildren movement, and throwing gobs of dollars their way. Without mincing his words, Scaramucci explained that by digging a little deeper into the background of these guys, usually you’ll discover they have no experience with investigating human trafficking. In fact, most have no undercover experience at all.

I’ve only touched on the topics we covered. Despite having to talk by video, the energy was so good that afterward I felt like I needed a nap, kind of like I’d feel after an adrenaline dump. We agreed to meet in person for round two, so he could show us how to spot illicit massage parlors. That eye-opening episode will drop soon, so stay tuned.

The podcast is Slay the Stigma, and it’s hosted by The Counseling Place where I work full-time.

Part one of our human trafficking series will drop Thursday, February 11, 2021.
You can listen to this and other episodes of Slay the Stigma here.

Follow Joseph Scarmucci on Facebook.

No Longer Suffering in Silence

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In March of 2019, I spent an afternoon wandering the streets of New Orleans with two strong and wonderful women, Lisa Causey and Melanie Bolke. The three of us had never spent time together without our significant alpha males tagging along, and we had what I still consider a magical experience. It’s one of my favorite days ever. We talked too loudly (ok, yelled a lot) and laughed all day long, everywhere we went — the oyster bar at Bourbon House, in and out of various music joints/bars on Bourbon Street, and tourist-trapping souvenir shops. I felt twenty years younger, and I laughed until I hurt, mostly at Lisa’s nonstop hilarity. I wish I could relive that day, yet it’s one we could never recreate. In fact, the three of us haven’t reunited since then.

Little did I know that Lisa was suffering silently and had been for more than a year. A trifecta of perpetrators had worked her over: Post-Partum Depression, Post-Partum Anxiety, and PTSD. She never showed us even a hint of a struggle, but weeks after that happy day in NOLA, she was in tears at the OBGYN’s office. Thankfully, she and her husband Caleb went there seeking help.

Before I go any further, I have to offer a few facts. Lisa Causey is tough as nails. The woman has grit. She can shoot steel targets with a 9mm from 100 yards away (to those of you who know about shooting pistols, yes, she really did that). She went hiking in the Grand Tetons in Wyoming around Jenny Lake with a baby on her back! (In fairness to Caleb, they took turns.) After completing a bio break during that adventure, they looked up and saw a 150 lb black bear charging them on the trail. Both Lisa and Caleb deployed bear spray, and all four mammals got a nice dose. Then, they continued on around the lake and enjoyed the majestic scenery around them.

I imagine that bear noticed Lisa’s commanding presence. She has a compelling voice and a sharp wit (maybe the bear got a sample of that, too). Even her work is powerful (she’s a colleague in the nonprofit world). There’s a softer side to her, though. She has a wonderful smile, and it shines the brightest when she’s with her family, whom she loves fiercely. She’s practical but kind, and she’s accustomed to offering, not requesting, help.

When Lisa heard about the Slay the Stigma podcast (hosted by The Counseling Place), she bravely offered to share her story. She doesn’t fit the stereotype of a woman who would ever need help, especially with something like depression or anxiety. Lisa knows, however, that the stereotype feeds the stigma and prevents others from seeking assistance from a professional. She also knew that by sharing her experience, she could help others avoid a great deal of suffering.

We sat down together in the makeshift recording studio at The Counseling Place, and Lisa held nothing back. She described her and Caleb’s struggle with unexplained infertility and the painful Mothers and Fathers Days they endured throughout that arduous journey. She provided a vivid description of traumatic labor and delivery, the frantic operating room (it’s jaw dropping), and the eerie feeling of waking up in an empty dark room, with no baby. She recalled the days that followed, visiting Lincoln in the NICU, where he spent his first Christmas. After Lincoln came home, Lisa explained her symptoms of anxiety — how it toyed with her thoughts, causing her to question if Lincoln was really theirs. What if someone made a mistake? After all, neither she nor Caleb witnessed his birth. Finally, she shared how therapy, specifically EMDR (which she described as “whackadoodle”), helped her heal, feel normal again, and enjoy motherhood.

Lisa implores those who are struggling with anxiety or depression of any kind to seek help. I’m grateful for her candor and honored she shared her story with us. Listen for yourself here: Slay the Stigma, Episode 3: Lisa’s Story

Many thanks to Richardson Woman’s Club for sponsoring Slay the Stigma!