Keep Our Kids Safe Initiative
Trafficking is happening in every state, every city, and every community — even yours. The good news is that communities are not powerless. We can take a stand.
The Keep Our Kids Safe Initiative is a community-powered movement focused on preventing child trafficking and exploitation before it begins and strengthening local responses when it occurs.
At its heart is a simple truth: every single person has a role to play in the fight against trafficking and exploitation. When neighbors, schools, faith communities, professionals, youths, and families are informed, connected, and equipped with practical tools, they form a circle of protection that keeps children safer and exploitation out.
Together, we are sending the clear message that we will not tolerate trafficking in our community, and our kids are not for sale.
The Pilot in SW Washington
Keep Our Kids Safe is launching first in Southwest Washington, but its vision is national. This pilot is designed to build and test a long‑term, sustainable model of community‑driven prevention that can be adapted and replicated across the country. The work begins in the Vancouver, WA area with two flagship events that activate the community and create shared momentum:
April 9, 2026 | 9:00am – 4:00pm | Hilton Vancouver, WA
Professional Training Day – A FREE multidisciplinary, full-day training that brings together educators, law enforcement, medical professionals, youth-serving organizations, and social service providers. Participants gain practical tools to recognize warning signs, respond in victim-centered ways, and collaborate across sectors when concerns arise.
April 16, 2026 | 6:30-9:00pm | Battle Ground Farmers Market
Youth-Led Community Awareness Night – An engaging evening where young leaders share age-appropriate education with peers, parents, and community members about online safety, grooming tactics, and how to look out for one another.
Offered with the support of:
Proudly Sponsored by:
The Evolution of Trafficking and Online Exploitation
Trafficking is changing, especially with the rise of online exploitation. Young people can be targeted instantly and anonymously, which means our awareness and prevention strategies must evolve to keep up. Any child can be at risk, but any informed adult or peer can be the one who recognizes the signs and steps in. When communities understand what trafficking looks like today, they become a powerful force for protection.
Research to Action
For more than 25 years, Shared Hope International has been a national leader in preventing child sex trafficking. This initiative is built on decades of research, survivor insights, and professional expertise. Our findings show that prevention works best when entire communities are engaged, so Keep Our Kids Safe focuses on mobilizing existing relationships—schools, youth groups, social services, faith communities, healthcare settings, and families—and turning them into coordinated lines of defense. We have helped move national awareness forward, and now we are taking our findings home to meet the urgent challenges of trafficking and online exploitation at the community level.
The Launch is Just the Beginning
But the events are not the end goal — they are just the launch point. Following these gatherings, the initiative moves into its next phase: empowering those who were trained and engaged to return to their schools, workplaces, congregations, teams, and neighborhoods to continue spreading awareness and education. With ongoing support, materials, and resources, community members become multipliers of prevention, helping this knowledge take root and grow throughout the region for years to come.
Want to support our local efforts in SW Washington?
FAQ’s about Keep Our Kids Safe SW Washington
Everyone has a role to play in preventing sex trafficking, and all community members are invited to participate. For this pilot, we are especially engaging:
- Parents and families
- Students and youth
- Educators and school staff
- Law enforcement
- Medical and mental health professionals
- Social service providers
- Faith communities
- Local businesses and community groups
Both pilot events are completely free to attend. Attendees will also have the chance to win prizes at each event. If you would like to help make this initiative accessible to the entire community, you can make a donation here: Keep Our Kids Safe Donation Page
- Donate or become a sponsor: To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, reach out to elizabeth@sharedhope.org
- Attend an event:
- Training Day: April 9, 2026 at the Hilton, Vancouver, WA
- Awareness Night: April 16, 2026 at the Battle Ground Farmer’s Market (indoors)
- Share information about the initiative with your network.
- Volunteer: To join the team, email rachel@sharedhope.org
We are looking for the next generation of leaders in the fight against trafficking and exploitation. If you are a high school Sophomore or Junior in SW Washington, we want to hear from you! For more information about becoming a youth leader, email elizabeth@sharedhope.org
For any additional questions, please reach out to elizabeth@sharedhope.org
