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Home>Archives for SHI Staff

January 25, 2024 by SHI Staff

Attention Governors: There are Child Sex Trafficking Victims in Your Prisons

JANUARY 25, 2024

CONTACT: Sarah Flaim
202-546-4242

WASHINGTON – Today, a leading anti sex trafficking non-profit is calling on governors in all 50 states to examine their probation and prison populations for potential child sex trafficking survivors who have been criminally prosecuted despite their own trafficking victimization.
The letter from Shared Hope International (SHI) – a non-profit organization focused on sex trafficking prevention strategies, restoration programs, and justice initiatives – urges governors to “help right some of the wrongs experienced by this particularly vulnerable population of trafficking survivors,” by:

  • Screening all minors who were prosecuted as an adult to determine if they have experienced trafficking victimization. This screening should include individuals who are now adults but were initially charged or prosecuted when they were a minor, and should include individuals committed to adult prisons or juvenile facilities, or under the oversight of adult probation services;
  • Providing access to appropriate services, including re-entry services that support survivors after they are released from prison;
  • Providing access to legal services that help survivors address the short and long-term consequences of being criminalized;
  • Advancing legal protections, including non-criminalization, immunity, affirmative defenses and vacatur, to provide relief from unjust criminalization and ideally prevent it at the outset; and
  • Expanding access to funded community-based services to provide alternatives to prosecution and incarceration for responding to child trafficking survivors.

SHI Founder and President Linda Smith explained how imprisonment of survivors re-victimizes them and prohibits them from getting the restorative care and support they so desperately need, “Imagine, if you will, a child who was sold into sex trafficking at age nine or ten. The child spent day after day, year after year wondering if anyone was coming to help. Then, one day, someone finally comes along. But, instead of connecting them with therapy, rehabilitation, and a safe place, that child is put on trial as an adult and thrown into prison with hardened criminals. Sadly, this is the reality across America – but it doesn’t have to be! We are calling on governors to step in to right these wrongs and ensure no child is ever further victimized by the institutions that should be there to protect them.”

Once such child victim is Shared Hope Ambassador Yvonne, “I was trafficked and raped from the age of 11. At 16 years old, I was arrested, told I was the criminal, and spent many years in jail. Yet nobody was there to stop my trafficker or the men paying him to use me. Through the help of Shared Hope International, I am now able to be that voice I wish I’d had at 16 through the Girls Like Me Campaign, which is working to bring notice to this kind of injustice and give a voice to those still in prison.”
SHI is calling on Americans across the country to join the fight and urge their governors to examine their prison population for these victims. To learn more about the vital work of SHI and send the letter to governors, people should text the keyword Shared Hope to 52886 and visit sharedhope.org.

 

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January 25, 2024 by SHI Staff

Twenty. Five. Years. Join us in celebrating!

Jump to the Gala webpage!

A quarter of a century ago, U.S. Congresswoman Linda Smith embarked on a courageous journey into the heart of the brothel district in Mumbai, India. There, amidst the harsh realities of brutal sexual slavery and exploitation of women and children, she felt a divine mandate to take action. And so, in 1998 she founded Shared Hope International, driven by the mission to make a profound difference for those victimized by commercial human trafficking.

Since then, a dynamic story of prevention, restoration, and justice has unfolded, bolstered by the unwavering support of Shared Hope’s dedicated changemakers and supporters. Together, we have been instrumental in the fight to end modern-day slavery and injustice. From the early days when passionate individuals worked to build homes of restoration in India and Nepal, to providing education and resources to professionals, parents, and children across the US, Shared Hope has become a well-respected global leader in the fight against sex trafficking. And the story does not end there. As we approach our 25th anniversary, we stand resolute in our mission and continue writing stories of hope for the hopeless.

You, our supporters, have been integral authors of the stories of hope for the individuals we serve, collectively changing the world one life at a time. To commemorate this momentous occasion, we invite all the changemakers who have helped us write these impactful narratives to join us for a night of celebration. As we reflect on the lives YOU have changed over the last 25 years, we look forward to the stories still yet to be written.

Join us for the Stories of Hope Founder’s Gala on Friday, June 28th, 2024, when Shared Hope community members from around the nation will come together to celebrate this milestone at the Hilton in Vancouver, Washington. Tickets will be available for purchase at the end of February. For any inquiries or more information, please reach out to RSVP@sharedhope.org or call us at (360) 693-8100.

February 2, 2022 by SHI Staff

January National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month – Faith In Action Webinar Series

By Anna Given

National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month Faith in Action Webinar Series

 

Shared Hope was pleased to have Pastors Jo and Nick Lembo host our Faith in Action webinar series throughout the month of January for National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Jo Lembo is Shared Hope’s Director of Faith Initiatives and Nick Lembo is a member of the Shared Hope Board of Directors and the State Coordinator for Just Men Arizona.  

Each week, Jo and Nick walked us through the Faith in Action Kit booklets, sharing a different aspect of anti-human trafficking from the faith perspective. Starting off the series Jo and Nick spoke about transforming the home and community.  They discussed how parents can provide protection for their children online and have conversations with their children about their online presence. In this presentation, Jo and Nick spoke directly to why women care about ending child sex trafficking, and Nick shared his perspective on the influence of women from Biblical examples and their powerful influence today. 

The next week they discussed promoting an environment of respect. We live in confusing times and there is power in unity! Nick discussed how to be respectful in today’s culture “I don’t want my son to become a predator…” and the on the flip-side, “how do my I prevent my daughter from becoming exploited.” He also shared from his own experience, discussing how he became involved in the fight against child sex trafficking. Jo also shared her side of the story and how they became who they are today. 

In our third webinar, Jo and Nick focused on empowering youth and addressed these pressing questions: what are the root issues that cause minor sex trafficking in the USA? “What are kids looking for and why?”, “what are the vulnerabilities of victims,” and “How can I protect my kids from being preyed upon?” They also discussed tips of instilling respect in our children for themselves and others, a challenge in today’s culture that so often seems driven by sex. 

During our final webinar Jo and Nick discussed using your influence to engage community leaders. They focused on how we can use our communities to bring justice and reformation when we learn how to tap into our influence. As pastors, both Jo and Nick have experienced the privilege of leading in their community. Each shared their perspective on how to create dialogue with leaders in your community.  

Resources: 

Faith in Action Kit – Shared Hope International 

Here are resources to connect with us and empower you to protect children: 

Sign the Defender’s Pledge: https://sharedhope.org/takeaction/become-a-defender/ 

Be a part of Faith Initiatives all year long to share the hope: https://sharedhope.org/faithinaction/

Pray for our partners around the world: https://sharedhope.org/faithinaction/prayersofhope/

 Free Download Slaying the Giant: https://sharedhope.org/free-anti-trafficking-resource-slaying-giant-practical-tools-combatting-sex-trafficking/

Protect children. Share the Warning Signs poster with others https://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/SHI_General-Warning-Signs.pdf 

Amazon.com: Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids: 9780997318739: Kristen A Jenson, Debbie Fox: Books 

Protect Young Eyes: Internet Safety for Families, Schools, and Churches 

Educate others. Share free Internet Safety Tools: https://sharedhope.org/what-we-do/prevent/awareness/internetsafety/

Information just for youth: https://youthonline.sharedhope.org/

How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online https://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SHI_InternetSafety_Mini-Guide_1.21.2021.pdf

Support meaningful legislation. Take action here https://act.sharedhope.org/actioncenter 

January 31, 2022 by SHI Staff

January 2022: Human Trafficking Awareness Month – Take Action

 

National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month

 

Each week during Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we brought you resources to help you move forward in your anti-trafficking work and advocacy. These resources are organized by the Three Pillars of Shared Hope, Prevent, Restore and Bring Justice. Today, we bring you more opportunities to put action into motion – to take what you have learned this month and to apply it today and beyond. We look forward to you joining us while we work to prevent sex trafficking, inform trauma-informed, restorative solutions for survivors and to bring justice at an individual and systemic level.

Prevent

  • Read Jo’s blog on Prevention
  • Sign up for our Weekend Warrior newsletter for 15 minutes of action each week.
  • Review our Internet Safety Resources
  • Follow us on Social Media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
  • Join us as a trained volunteer, equipped to educate your community as an Ambassador of Hope or Defender.
  • Pray with us
  • Take our Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking 101 e-learning course

Restore

  • Read Nancy’s blog on Restoration
  • Learn more about some of the Restorative Development programs Shared Hope supports.
  • Read about our Domestic and International Partners.
  • Consider donating to help us continue funding our partner programs.
  • View some of our Restoration focused webinars like:
    • The Role of Faith in The Recovery Process – A Survivor’s Perspective
    • In the Beginning: How Intergenerational Trauma and Traumatic Childhood Attachment Impact the Healing Journey

Bring Justice

  • Read Camryn’s blog on Bringing Justice
  • Review the Report Cards on Child & Youth Sex Trafficking and then send it to your elected officials.
  • Learn more about Responding to Sex Trafficking Victim-Offender Intersectionality and review our field guidance tool for criminal justice stakeholders.
  • Check out our Federal Advocacy Action Center.​​​​​
  • Sign up to become a Grassroots Hero to receive updates on legislative initiatives, campaigns and urgent calls-to-action.

January 10, 2022 by SHI Staff

January 2022 – Human Trafficking Awareness Month: Restoration

by Nancy Winston, Senior Director

 

With the establishment of Shared Hope in 1998, efforts began with international partners and restoration was the sole focus. Starting here was the foundation for our education on what “restoration” really looked like. Early on, we provided safe places for some in India, Nepal, Jamaica, Fiji, and South Africa to escape lives of misery and live in places of safety. However, it quickly became clear that a place of safety was by no means an entire solution.  The words of one survivor made this quite clear: “What do you mean by restoration?  How can you restore something that was never there?”

This simple observation expanded our thinking on the subject.  One needs to produce something before it can be re-produced, create something before it can be re-created, and confirm something before it can be re-confirmed!  This was the beginning of our mission to Prevent. Restore. Bring Justice, and a more complete picture of restoration.

At Shared Hope, we often talk about the three pillars of focus to bring an end to sex trafficking—Prevent. Restore. Bring Justice.  Those of us who work within the organization typically orient around one of those priority areas. However, as our anti-trafficking movement has matured domestically, we have come to see the priorities more as overlapping layers of fabric making something like a garment of protection. Here in the US, there are children raised in abusive homes, who may go through seven or eight subsequent foster care homes. They flee these dangerous situations on their own, only to get entangled with a trafficker by deception, out of desperation. Even more tragically, they often get involved in a crime because they are the criminal’s property and at the scene. These are the children for whom we actively advocate with our State Report Cards. They needed information to prevent them from falling prey to traffickers. They needed a stable system of care if their birth family couldn’t provide it. They needed to have an alternative to the desperate run in search of someone/anyone who cared. They needed access to trauma informed resources that would treat them with compassion and respect despite their resistance.  They needed to have an advocate who understood the circumstances that involved them in a crime as a perpetrator, though they themselves were victims of crime. They needed the law to recognize that and protect rather than punish them. This is the reality that too many children face today, boys and girls alike. At Shared Hope, we believe that addressing and correcting the deficiencies in each layer of fabric will constitute something new—a garment of protection.

This is why we have chosen domestic grant partners who play a role in one or more of the layers that make up that garment.  In fiscal year 2022, we are providing grants to 11 different NGOs from all parts of the USA that provide those things most needed by survivors–safe housing, pro bono legal services, life skills training, therapy to cope with complex trauma, personal empowerment, and the opportunity for spiritual healing and growth.  One grant partner provides training for human trafficking investigators, another, pro-bono legal services; two others are dedicated to freeing boys and young men from the devastation of sex trafficking. These partners all have missions that fit very well with the priorities we have had and continue to have–to Prevent, to Restore and to Bring Justice.  Justice served is itself restorative; the best path to restoration is the administration of true justice.

Justice served is itself restorative; the best path to restoration is the administration of true justice.

Shared Hope began with international partners; restoration was the sole focus and we provided a safe place for some in India, Nepal, Jamaica, Fiji and South Africa to escape a life of misery and to flourish.  We will be faithful to continue our efforts internationally, but it is here in the USA that we have the opportunity to assemble a garment of prevention, restoration and justice through influencing the laws of the land.

Take Action –

Now that you have read about the importance of restoration work in the fight against human trafficking, here are a few take action steps:

  • Learn more about some of the Restorative Development programs Shared Hope supports.
  • Read about our Domestic and International Partners.
  • Consider donating to help us continue funding our partner programs.
  • Send the Report Cards on Child & Youth Sex Trafficking to your elected officials.
  • Check out our Advocacy Action Center 
  • Follow us on Social Media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
  • View some of our Restoration focused webinars like:
    • The Role of Faith in The Recovery Process – A Survivor’s Perspective
    • HT and Brain Trauma: From Science to Service
    • Legal First Responders: Closing The Justice Gap for Human Trafficking Survivors 
    • In the Beginning: How Intergenerational Trauma and Traumatic Childhood Attachment Impact the Healing Journey
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