Benghazi Survivor Mark Geist on Child Trafficking, Grooming & Protecting Kids
From Team Protectors · 58:04
Show by Safe House Project
Benghazi survivor, Marine veteran, former law enforcement officer, and child-crimes investigator Mark “Oz” Geist joins Brittany Dunn and Kristi Wells on the Team Protectors podcast for a powerful conversation about protecting children and confronting human trafficking in our own communities.Mark reflects on surviving the 2012 Benghazi attack, investigating crimes against children, recognizing how predators gain the trust of families, and choosing to turn hardship into a life of service. The conversation explores the vulnerabilities of runaway youth, the challenges of investigating and prosecuting trafficking, and why parents, neighbors, educators, and community members all have a role in prevention.From the importance of staying engaged in your children's online lives to the courage it takes to recognize exploitation close to home, this episode is a call to pay attention and take action.What you'll learn in this episode:How Mark's military service, law enforcement career, and Benghazi experience shaped his missionWhy grooming can begin with parents and trusted community relationshipsHow runaway and homeless youth face heightened exploitation risksWhy trafficking can happen in small towns as well as major citiesThe challenges of identification, enforcement, and prosecutionPractical ways parents can stay involved in their children's lives and online activityHow resilience, service, and community action can help protect vulnerable childrenKey Moments:00:44 — Meet Mark Geist and the Team Protectors hosts03:46 — From the Marine Corps to investigating crimes against children06:33 — Surviving Benghazi and finding renewed purpose07:33 — Mark's first encounters with exploitation and trafficking12:33 — Why runaway youth are especially vulnerable14:03 — Debate over legalization and enforcement19:40 — A case that reveals how predators groom communities23:01 — The danger of looking away from crime in your own community27:20 — Why protecting children takes the entire community30:00 — Challenging common misconceptions about trafficking31:34 — How predators groom parents before targeting children35:29 — Proactive parenting and digital awareness42:41 — Resilience, responsibility, and lessons from adversity49:54 — Turning survival into service50:36 — Mark's current advocacy and Shadow Warriors Project56:50 — A final challenge: make a difference every dayStandout Quotes“They will groom you, the parent, before they go after your kids.” — Mark Geist“If you look for it, then you're gonna have to do something about it.” — Mark Geist“I didn't go through all that for no reason.” — Mark Geist“Just get up every day and make a difference in one person's life.” — Mark GeistAbout Mark GeistMark “Oz” Geist is a Marine Corps veteran, former law enforcement officer and investigator of crimes against children, and survivor of the September 11, 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya. Following his military and security career, he has dedicated much of his work to supporting children, veterans, first responders, and their families. He founded the Shadow Warriors Project, which supports members of these communities through programs and services. In this episode, he discusses his investigative experience, family life, advocacy, and commitment to helping others.About Safe House ProjectSafe House Project exists to increase victim identification beyond 1% and ensure that every survivor of trafficking has access to restorative care and services.Learn more at:https://safehouseproject.orgDownload the Simply Report app to learn how to report suspected trafficking in your community.If this episode impacted you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear this message.#HumanTrafficking #TeamProtectors #SafeHouseProject #JasonSisneros #EndHumanTrafficking #FaithAndPurpose #ChildProtection #HumanTraffickingAwareness #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Restoration #TraumaHealing #ChristianLeadership #SurvivorCare #ProtectChildren #PurposeDrivenLifeSupport the show
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