News from Shared Hope International

February 12, 2013 by Samantha

The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act Advances in the Senate Thanks to the Violence Against Woman Act

On February 12, 2013, the Violence Again Women Act (VAWA) passed in the Senate with critical amendments made by Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy’s (D-VT) to secure the reauthorization of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) as part of VAWA and by Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to authorize grants to enhance the safety of youth and children who are victims of, or exposed to sex trafficking, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) was enacted in 2000 to create tools to enable the U.S. government to address the prosecution of traffickers, protection for victims, and prevention of human trafficking. This Act serves as the cornerstone of legal protection for victims of trafficking at the federal level and sets a standard for state legislatures around the nation. For 18 years, VAWA has been the foundation of fighting violence, providing services and resources for victims of violence. Together these two statutes have enabled America to lead the world in protecting and delivering justice to victims of trafficking.

“National leadership is the key to combatting this crime,” said Linda Smith, President and Founder of Shared Hope International. “When our federal government takes a stance against trafficking, they reenergize the prioritization of innovative and effective solutions to this national crisis.”

The TVPA serves as a baseline standard for Shared Hope’s Protected Innocence Challenge, a comprehensive analysis of existing state laws against a framework of legal components necessary to fully protect children from child sex trafficking. Under the Challenge, every state receives a Report Card that grades the state on 41 key legislative components that must be addressed in state’s laws in order to effectively respond to the crime of domestic minor sex trafficking. In addition, each state receives a complete analysis of this 41-component review and practical recommendations for improvement. Click here to find out how your state scored.

January 15, 2013 by Samantha

8th Circuit Court Decision Nabs Buyers

In the fight against sex trafficking, one of the things we focus on at Shared Hope is the importance of ending demand. While it’s absolutely true that victim services, rescue and restoration, and prosecution of traffickers are vitally important, it’s equally important that the buyers be held accountable. If there is no demand, there is no industry. And so, ending demand is a consistent part of our message.

Last week, we received exciting news related to the issue of demand! It involves two men who, on separate occasions, attempted to purchase sex with minor girls. Both were arrested and charged with sex trafficking under the federal criminal laws, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591 and 1594.

Rather than deny their heinous action, both men argued that they were not traffickers, but merely “consumers” or “purchasers,” and therefore should be acquitted of the charges of sex trafficking. Despite their arguments, juries in both cases found them guilty as charged. The court, however, read the statute differently and agreed with the defendants that the law was not meant to apply to the actions of buyers.

The Justice Department appealed these decisions, convinced that the sex trafficking law was intended to include the actions of buyers of sex acts with adults who were caused to engage in prostitution through force, fraud or coercion, or minors without proof of force, fraud or coercion. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals released its opinion on January 7. The opinion is 20 pages long, but it can be summed up in this one sentence:

“Notwithstanding the defendants’ argument to the contrary, the… definition of ‘sex trafficking’… readily includes the actions of a purchaser whose sole purpose is obtaining a child for sex.”

In non-legal language, it simply means that the laws regarding domestic minor sex trafficking not only apply to those who sell, but also those who try to (and do) buy sex acts with minors.

Here are some other important statements made in the 8^th Circuit Court decision:

– “The meaning of the terms Congress selected in drafting [the sex trafficking law] are broad enough to encompass the actions of both suppliers and purchasers of commercial sex acts.”

– “It is far from absurd to conclude Congress intended [the sex trafficking law] to apply to purchasers…”

– “The term ‘trafficking’ does not inherently exempt purchasers.”

Now that the 8^th Circuit has established this precedent, prosecutors have another tool to punish buyers and seek justice for the victims of sex trafficking. This has the potential to be a game changer in the fight against sex trafficking, bringing the spotlight squarely on demand where advocates have tirelessly worked to put it. Over time, as potential buyers realize they could face serious consequences for their actions, demand could cease or be so dramatically reduced that the commercial sex industry is no longer profitable. If a pimp can’t make money exploiting women and girls, he has no reason to exploit them.

Next steps will require the continued support of the Department of Justice to the federal prosecutors willing to take on these difficult cases, to build a solid body of case law demonstrating the seriousness of the Department, and our society, to end demand.

8th Circuit Decision 1-7-13

January 9, 2013 by SHI Staff

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month

President Obama is declaring January to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. See how Shared Hope is participating and how you can get involved by viewing the events below.

‘Top 4 Fridays’ Interactive conversation video series on Google hangout:

December 18, 2012 by SHI Staff

Chosen – Youth Sex Trafficking Prevention Kit

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xdkNE8Jp9E’]

chosn2pkwebstore — Special Offer! 2 Chosen DVD & Training Packages

Chosen, a sex trafficking prevention video and resource package for youth tells the shocking true story of two ‘All-American’ teenage girls tricked into trafficking. Eighteen-year-old Brianna was an honor-roll student, cheerleader and worked at a local café. Thirteen-year-old Lacy was an active member of her youth group, and a volunteer in her community. Both were manipulated. Both were exploited. Both were chosen.

Chosen is a comprehensive video resource package that reveals the warning signs and sometimes fatal consequences of sex trafficking to middle and high school students. The 20-minute video is designed to equip preteens and teens to protect themselves and others from being trapped in the horrific and violent sex industry.

The package contains:

Chosen film
Discussion questions specifically for men, women, and youth
PowerPoint presentations to use before showing the film to introduce the issue of trafficking and the film and after the film to encourage discussion and comprehension
Trafficking terminology guide to help viewers understand the language used by traffickers
Suggested resources for additional learning and action opportunities
Leader’s guide to assist leaders with presentation preparation including helpful tips and suggestions
Action ideas to help viewers turn their knowledge into action

Chosen can be used as an engaging and educational awareness tool at school assemblies, youth groups, civic action groups, and other clubs and teams. Chosen received high approval from students and faculty selected to participate in pre-screening events around the nation, proving to be a highly engaging and educational tool for youth.

Youth in schools and neighborhoods across the United States are being cast into the horrifying underworld of sex trafficking at alarming rates. The tragic truth – this slavery can be prevented, but only if youth are able to recognize the signs of danger. Order your copy today!

A few comments about Chosen from youth:

“I think this video will really shock teens. It has changed all of my assumptions about sex trafficking.”

“We can all be more aware, now I know how I can look out for my friends.”

“It’s an eye-opener, it was really intense and got my attention.”

“This video is effective in reaching youth because it is coming from a teen’s story. People don’t realize how and who it happens to.”

“I didn’t really know a lot about sex trafficking until after watching the video. What affected me the most was how young the girls are.”

“I was oblivious to these circumstances until now.”

“I actually didn’t even know what sex trafficking was before watching this. It is scary to think that girls in my school could be going through that & it motivates me to help them.”

“Now I know about sex trafficking and how it works. I mostly had no idea!”[clear-line]

Download the movie poster today! 8 x 11 – 11 x 17 – 27 x 41

Chosen DVD & Training Package

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December 13, 2012 by SHI Staff

Sharing the Hope 2012

Sharing the Hope 2012, Shared Hope’s biggest event of the year, welcomed hundreds of guests from 30 states around the country for three dynamic days of education, discussion and celebration in Washington, D.C.

On November 29, Shared Hope released the 2012 Protected Innocence Challenge Report Cards at the Protected Innocence Challenge Press Conference. These Report Cards document Shared Hope’s evaluation of all fifty states’ legislation regarding domestic minor sex trafficking. We were proud to announce 15 states raised their grade! Attendees and news outlets heard from Linda Smith, survivor advocate Shamere McKenzie, survivor advocate Brianna Myers, Detective Bill Woolf (Fairfax County (VA) Gang Investigations Unit), Abigail Kuzma (Indiana Office of Attorney General) and Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) on the importance of strong state laws to bring justice to survivors.

We welcomed 250 participants at the intensive Do You Know Lacy? training to help professionals and community members identify victims of trafficking and respond effectively. Participants learned from over 20 experts and practitioners from around the nation on how pimps maintain control over victims, the strengths and weaknesses in state laws, and the growing trend of gang trafficking. This Do You Know Lacy? Sex Trafficking Awareness and Response Training presented a collaborative and community-based curriculum to inform various types of responders. Law enforcement, prosecutors, juvenile service providers, community advocates and defenders all learned specific ways to address the issue within their professions.

On Friday, November 30, experts from around the country joined Shared Hope International, The Protection Project from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and ECPAT-USA to evaluate current service provider responses to domestically trafficked youth and propose promising practices for future responders. Practitioners working with formerly trafficked youth came from across the country and discussed placement options for victims, challenges facing current service providers, and what successful treatment programs for victims look like. Over 500 people from across the globe tuned in to witness this landmark discussion. Watch it here!

Friday night concluded the busy day with a celebration of Shared Hope’s accomplishments over the years. This Sharing the Hope Gala included a welcome address by Linda Smith, prayer by Sean Wrench, and keynote address by Ernie Allen, President and CEO of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. A live jazz band entertained guests during the social hour. Guests joined Shared Hope in honoring the 2012 Pathbreaker’s during the award ceremony. Linda Smith presented awards to Ernie Allen, Amy O’Neill Richard, Senior Advisor to the Director at the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, Drew Oosterbaan, Chief of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, and Deborah Richardson, Executive Vice President of the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Survivor advocate Rebecca Bender read a moving survivor-written tribute to the Pathbreakers, and survivor advocates Stacy Lewis and Shamere McKenzie presented a dramatic reenactment of a fictional domestic minor sex trafficking victim’s interaction with the justice system. The drama highlighted the lack of concern and resources for these victims that currently hinder identification and care for these youth all around the country.

Sharing the Hope 2012 was an exciting and successful event that enabled community members from around the country to engage in collaborative networking, honest discussion, intensive training, and much deserved celebration for the prevention and end of domestic minor sex trafficking. With the release of the 2012 Protected Innocence Challenge Report Cards, community members can inform themselves, their communities, and their state legislators about the issue to help advocate for stronger state laws.

We hope to see you next year at Sharing the Hope 2013!

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