News from Shared Hope International

January 6, 2020 by Guest

Hope for a New Life in the New Year

Terry’s House, a partnership between Shared Hope and The Coffee Oasis, is a transitional living home for young women who have survived sexual exploitation and seek a supportive path to self sufficiency. There is room for you or your client with us!

Hope for a New Life in the New Year

She is calling. Hope is responding. Hope starts with putting the caller at ease and letting her know our conversation is confidential, safe and she is not alone. After a quick overview of the program it’s my opportunity to let her know how I know Hope is Real – I too am a survivor.

Terry’s House is a safe home in a quiet area in Kitsap County, Washington for young women seeking refuge from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. We are survivor led, trauma informed and relationship focused.

Her first experience upon arrival is the peaceful and welcoming atmosphere of the home with overflowing bags and cups filled with spa-like items such as blankets, fuzzy socks and goodies. However a young lady may have made it here – we know the journey has been long and the adjustment will take time. This is why the first week at Terry’s House is called Rest Week.

From that initial foundation we work alongside residents to develop long-term crisis interventions and stabilization plans. Survivors of chronic and/or complex trauma have a multitude of diverse needs. We partner and collaborate with law enforcement, medical and mental health providers, attorneys, and recovery centers. These are just a few of the partners we work with in addressing and assessing an individual’s needs. Some examples of our therapeutic program include equine therapy, art expression, one on one case management and an evidence based curriculum grounded in mindfulness.

Our favorite part of walking alongside these brave and resilient young women is helping them identify their strengths, gifts, dreams and what they are passionate about– what makes them feel connected and excited about life. Terry’s House is the perfect space to meet them where they are in this process while they explore new ideas and options. We love to celebrate, watch them bloom and grow. Ultimately survivors know best what they need to thrive. From my personal and professional experience – a safe space to heal with time and community support is key to empowering survivors to greater independence.

All across the country there are young women who need the love and long term support we provide. Terry’s House has space both in our home and in our hearts to effectively accompany survivors on their healing journey.

Do you know someone who needs the real hope we offer? Read more and apply here.

“Terry’s House has helped me in a various amount of ways. I am always surrounded with positivity and genuine support from staff and volunteers. I am learning coping skills, how to improve myself, and fun things too. Thanks to Terry’s House I am excited for the future and all the possibilities! “ – Terry’s House Resident Quote

raquel.piscopo@thecoffeeoasis.com

January 1, 2020 by Marissa Gunther

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Do you know the warning signs?

As you read this, millions of women, men and children around the world are subject to being trafficked. To address this evil injustice, it helps to define and know exactly what it is.

The federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act defines human trafficking as:

The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act where such an act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age, or
The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.”

Human trafficking can take many forms, such as domestic servitude; factory labor that resembles prisons; farm work by migrants. War has created a new market for traffickers to exploit refugees fleeing a war that has torn apart their communities or countries – in many cases these migrants pay a fee to board a ship and are at the whim of their smugglers.

Human trafficking is a problem everywhere, including the United States. Including your neighborhood.

Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) occurs when a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident minors (under the age of 18) are commercially sexually exploited. Children can be commercially sexually exploited through prostitution, pornography, and/or erotic entertainment.

We’re talking about U.S. kids, under the age of 18, being bought and sold for sex.

The age of the victim is the critical issue — under federal law, there is no requirement to prove that force, fraud, or coercion was used to cause the minor to engage in commercial sex.

The law recognizes the effect of psychological manipulation by the trafficker, as well as the effect of threat of harm which traffickers/pimps use to maintain control over their young victims.

But cultural bias continues to influence access to justice and services for minor victims. Even when protective laws are on the books.

Under the leadership of the Shared Hope Institute for Justice and Advocacy, we are working hard to address the issue of human trafficking in combating one of the most vehement forms: domestic minor sex trafficking. And there is no time like today to JOIN US in our efforts to end this terrible evil once and for all.

Advocate: See laws change in your state. January is the beginning of legislative sessions all over the country; now is the time to contact your legislators and have your voice heard through our Advocacy Action Center. We make it easy and quick for you with pre-written emails and tweets.

Volunteer: Receive comprehensive training and empowered to join a team of volunteers raising awareness and providing prevention education in all communities across the nation. Connect with other volunteer Ambassadors of Hope and work together to help make all communities safer for children.

Give: Empower Shared Hope’s work to prevent the conditions that foster sex trafficking, restore and empower survivors, and bring justice to victims with a gift.

Help us make freedom a priority this Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

We can win this battle.

December 27, 2019 by Guest

The Value of Our Foundation

When I first became involved with Shared Hope one thing that truly affected me was the faith of its founders, Vern and Linda Smith. I knew these were like-minded believers who put their confidence in an Almighty God to change this nation. I understood that only through Christ would lasting restoration come to the lives of the trafficked individuals I was reading about.

As God once led the nation of Israel from bondage in Egypt so many centuries ago, He continues today to lead us in breaking the bonds of this seemingly unconquerable evil—an evil that binds not only the victim of sex trafficking, but the perpetrator as well. The more I hear of the terrible abuses endured by victims, and the more I know of the black and broken hearts of those that prey on them, I realize the restoration that is needed must come from a higher source. Jesus Christ is the only One who can truly change hearts and lead our nation in this battle.

I could not illustrate this truth as well as five who survived, and now thrive, by His power. They share the stories of their transformation in an upcoming film called Blind Eyes Opened that will be shown in select theaters for one night on January 23.

When you read Shared Hope’s statement of faith, and our mission and values, you’ll understand how important this firm foundation of Christ is to our organization. We align ourselves with this One who not only heals survivors, but also teaches us how to join in the work He is doing. This joining is described succinctly by Florida Pasco County Sheriff Alan Wilkett in the closing segment of Blind Eyes Opened, “(as law enforcement)…we’re ordained by God to become His ministers to society, it is our job to go into chaotic situations, into disorder, and to bring order and restore peace to bad situations. What I don’t have is the ability to change lives and that is where the church, that is where the faith-based communities, must come in because they’ve been ordained by God to bring change where lives have been bruised and battered.”

Our Board of Directors is firmly planted in this belief. We understand we must be the hands and feet and touch of Christ through demonstrating His unconditional love for every person. We are not called to judge; rather we are called to love by offering assistance to all that are in need, regardless of demographics, beliefs or even ideologies held contrary to our own. We believe Jesus gave His life for ALL mankind and not just a few. Therefore, our Christian faith compels us to offer this hope to all those who come across our path.

Nick Lembo, Shared Hope International Board Member

December 13, 2019 by SHI Staff

Shared Hope Attends: Women of Color Against the Sex Trade

Shared Hope had the opportunity to attend SPACE International’s Women of Color Against the Sex Trade panel discussions co-hosted last week by Coalition Against Trafficking in Women and the Roosevelt House’s Human Rights program in New York and by Rights4Girls in Washington D.C.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019, New York City – Brittany Peck, CEM, Training Events Specialist

Co-hosted by the Roosevelt House in NYC, formerly the home of Eleanor Roosevelt, a well-known global advocate for human rights, the mood of the event was inspired by the setting.

Two panel discussions took place with survivor leaders from all over the world sharing their expertise as leaders in anti-trafficking. The first panel addressed, “Frontline Services: Tools and Strategies to Help Survivors Rebuild Their Lives.” Panelists discussed the importance of providing survivors with housing, vocational training and support in establishing self-sufficiency. They stressed that without the stability of a home, it is very difficult to focus on other services in place to help rebuild one’s life. They explained the role “survival sex” plays in why people enter the life due to systemic oppression whether that includes race, poverty or citizenship status, many of these intersecting. Panelists provided statistics demonstrating how disproportionately women of color are targeted for prostitution and trafficking. The panel also discussed that violence can often be more aggressive and prominent against survivors of color. This is rooted in oppressive ideologies like colonialism, racism and sexism.

The second panel addressed “How Did We Get Here and What is the Way Out? The Sex Trade and the Cradles of Patriarchy, Race and Colonialism.” Panelists discussed different legislative models including decriminalization, full criminalization and the Equality Model. Panelists stressed that prostitution is a human rights issue and that it stems from the oppressive systems that make prostitution an option for those who lack resources. The panelists concluded that purchasing sex is about abuse and power, not liberation.

Thursday, December 5, 2019, Washington D.C. – Camryn Peterson, Digital Advocacy Manager

Thursday’s panel was co-hosted by Rights4Girls, a human rights organization focused on ending violence against women and girls in the United States, which includes those victimized by sex trafficking.

The panel in D.C., “Women of Color Against the Sex Trade,” brought together women from across the world to share their stories and bring light to the reality that women of color make up over half of sex trafficking victims. Throughout the evening, the women discussed the three legal responses to commercialized sex: legalization, decriminalization, and the Equality Model. The Equality Model, also known as the Nordic Model, is currently being discussed in New York and has been introduced in Maine. This type of legislation would penalize buyers and exploiters, not those selling commercial sex. This model aims to decrease the demand for commercialized sex, and therefore decrease sex trafficking, resulting in more protections for women and child victims of sex trafficking.

The panel further discussed how the commercialized sex industry is propelled by misogyny, patriarchy, and capitalism in our societies. Tina Frundt, the Founder and Executive Director of Courtney’s House in D.C. recounted her recent personal story of men soliciting her for sex while she was walking her dog. Many other women on the panel shared similar stories. Frundt later stated that “male entitlement within the commercialized sex industry leads to higher demand, which leads to higher supply.” To end this cycle, the buyers and other exploiters must be held accountable for their role in this system, while those engaged in commercial sex should receive services to enable them to exit the industry. Just a few months ago, D.C. Councilmembers brought forward a bill aimed at fully decriminalizing the commercial sex industry in the city, but after 14 hours of testimonies, the bill was killed and vulnerable women and children were further protected from the sex trade. To review Shared Hope Internationals written testimony in opposition to D.C. Bill 23-0318, click here.

The next Women of Color Against the Sex Trade event will take place in London on February 21.

November 27, 2019 by Brittany Peck

Shared Hope Attends: New Yorkers for the Equality Model Campaign Launch

On Monday, I had the privilege of attending the New Yorkers for the Equality Model Campaign Launch hosted by The Survivor Leaders of New Yorkers for the Equality Model. New Yorkers for the Equality Model is a, “survivor-led alliance made up of more than 30 advocates, prostitution and sex trafficking survivors, and organizational partners seeking to implement the Equality Model, decriminalizing only individuals in prostitution, in New York State” (equalitymodelny.org/who-we-are). The Campaign Launch event announced the forthcoming legislation sponsored by Assemblymember Tremaine Wright and Senator Liz Krueger and a campaign advocating for the Equality Model Approach in the state of New York.

The Equality Model being proposed in New York State will have a five-pronged legal approach that addresses repealing current laws that call for arresting people in prostitution, providing trauma-informed services for those wishing to exit the sex trade, penalizing buyers, continuing to criminalize pimps, traffickers, brothel owners and illicit massage parlor owners and a commitment to community education. For more information on their approach, please visit: https://www.equalitymodelny.org/equality-model

The forthcoming Equality Model legislation is partly in response to recent legislation introduced this summer in NY with the intent to decriminalize sex work. The coalition DecrimNY is advocating for the bill. A similar bill was recently disputed in Washington D.C. Click here to read Shared Hope’s Testimony in Opposition to D.C. Bill 23-0318. Shared Hope has also recently updated it’s Seeking Justice Toolkit in the Stop the InJuSTice campaign, a resource available to help end the criminalization of child sex trafficking victims. View the updated Seeking Justice Toolkit here.

At the Launch Campaign, a closed panel discussion focused on “The Links between Sex Trafficking & Prostitution.” Panelists discussed the difference between the Equality Model and the Full Decriminalization/Decrim/Legalization Model. A handout summarizing these differences can be found here. The panel also addressed questions about consent, systems that perpetuate exploitation and oppression, how prostitution and the #metoo movement are connected and how we discuss systems of prostitution in our communities and within our generations.

Organizers invited attendees to support the campaign on social media. Posters were displayed throughout the event with hashtags for guests to utilize in their social media posts about the campaign launch.

For more information on how to support the New Yorkers for the Equality Model visit: https://www.equalitymodelny.org/ You can also follow them on twitter @NoBuyerNoPimpNY

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