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Natalie Cochran

School is Starting: Let’s Take a Look at Bullying

When someone is being hurt either by words or actions on purpose, they have become a victim of bullying. Bullies habitually abuse, taunt and deliberately intimidate others. Acts of bullying can be physical or verbal causing victims to feel powerless and are intentional behaviors that are repeated and aggressive. People who bully others are looking to gain a feeling of […]

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August 17, 2019 is National Nonprofit Day

Right now someone is contributing their time to helping others, playing with animals or caring for the elderly. Take some time to recognize the nonprofit organizations in your community who are dedicated to public benefit. National Nonprofit Day recognizes more than a nonprofit’s altruistic goals, but the positive impacts they have had on their community and the world. Lone Star […]

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National Night Out 2019

Houston, TX – Tuesday, August 6, 2019, is National Night Out! NNO is an annual community-building campaign that enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement. There are many events going on nationwide to support the cause and you can find Lone Star Legal Aid participating in the event that will be hosted at the University of Houston Downtown (UHD) […]

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A Hidden Crime: 30 Million Victims Trapped in Human Trafficking

Today, the globe recognizes World Day Against Trafficking.  WDAT is an annual event promoting awareness and prevention of the human trafficking crisis as a massive worldwide problem. On average, 30 million victims of human trafficking are sold globally. Victims are made up of 51 percent women, 28 percent children and 21 percent men. Statistics also show that forced labor and […]

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Stalking: The Real Fear

Stalking is a series of unwanted, harassing behaviors which is a serious and often violent crime leaving victims feeling on edge. Each year, 7.5 million people are victims of stalking in the United States. There are various ways a person can stalk you. Learn the forms of stalking below. Repeatedly calling you Following you Showing up wherever you are Sending […]

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Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft

If your information has been stolen, it can be used for financial gain. Hackers can access your personal information to make charges on credit cards, open new accounts, get medical treatment with your health insurance, and even file a tax refund. Unfortunately, identity theft is an invisible crime and leaves victims financially and emotionally unstable. What is identity theft? Identity […]

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Pension Poaching: Scamming Veterans out of their Benefits

Be cautious if someone tries to offer to move your assets around for you to qualify for a VA pension. It’s a scam! You could be required to repay these benefits to the government. While there are organizations who honor our troops, beware of the organizations who are pretending to have open arms to charity. These are people seeking to […]

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Misleading Scams and Fraudulent Acts: Targeting Veterans and their Families

Nearly 80 percent of veterans are targeted by misleading scams such as military charities, veteran loans, online exploitation and other suspicious scams. Scammers prey on the goodwill and patriotism of veterans to lure them into risky situations. Fraudulent charities use the same techniques as trusted charities by writing letters, making phone calls, sending emails and texts, and even using similar […]

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Rent-to-Own vs. Contract for Deed

Most home buyers have to have a mortgage to finance a home, however, there are alternatives: contracts for deed and rent-to-own agreements. Under a Contract for Deed, the buyer makes regular payments to the seller until the amount owed is paid in full or the buyer finds another means to pay off the balance. The seller retains legal title to […]

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Life After Trauma

Overview A traumatic experience can affect a person’s entire life making them vulnerable to ongoing fear.  Fear is a result of a negative outcome in which horrifying memories are engraved on the brain causing people to have terrorizing flashbacks and uncontrolled panic attacks. Trauma is real and it affects people to where they behave and respond differently. Crime victim survivors […]

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A True Story Behind Domestic Violence

Domestic violence or abuse in a relationship is a pattern of behaviors used to maintain power and control over their partner. This behavior can physically cause harm or arouse fear by the use of physical and sexual violence, threats, intimidation and emotional abuse. Anyone of any race, age, religion, gender or sexual orientation can become a victim or perpetrator. It […]

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Financial Exploitation is the Most Common Form of Elder Abuse

While emotional abuse, physical abuse, neglect and abandonment are frequently used forms of elder abuse, financial exploitation is the most common and fastest growing form of elder abuse. Anyone can take advantage of the elderly whether they are a caretaker, a family member, neighbors, attorneys, bank employees, doctors, or nurses. The mistreatment of vulnerable adults is widespread and can even […]

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HPD Victim Services Unit Cross Training: Justice for Crime Survivors

HOUSTON, TX – Lone Star Legal Aid’s Crime Victims Unit attorney Zelda Howell and social worker Ashleigh Cormier hosted the Justice for Crime Survivors presentation on Thursday, May 23, 2019 at the downtown Houston Police Department (HPD). The presentation covered specific methods to approach and handle cases dealing with survivors of crime. After victimization, the individual will face many challenges. […]

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May is Elder Abuse Prevention Month in the State of Texas

Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott has announced the month of May as Elder Abuse Prevention Month. During the month of May, Adult Protective Services (APS) collaborates with community advocates across Texas to raise awareness. Our elderly population routinely faces several forms of abuse such as neglect and financial exploitation. Consistently educating the public through advocacy and action will provide awareness […]

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