Shared Hope International

Leading a worldwide effort to eradicate sexual slavery...one life at a time

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Coming Soon!

“Years from now, I pray we will be able to look back on this day and say, ‘That’s when the tide truly turned; that’s when the eradication of sex trafficking dramatically accelerated.’” – Linda Smith, Founder and President

This January 23rd, we will take the biggest step in our 21-year history by opening the doors of the Shared Hope Institute for Justice & Advocacy in Washington, DC, only a few blocks from the White House. Here will be a launch-pad for more aggressive, more effective pursuit of justice for victims of trafficking than ever, taking on the challenges that face the most vulnerable. The Institute will allow Shared Hope to dig deeper into the issues that foster child sex trafficking and seek solutions to end this injustice.

In coordination with the opening of the Institute for Justice & Advocacy, we will be releasing a report on Victim-Offender Intersectionality —field guidance on providing trauma informed, victim-centered approaches to responding to survivors who are alleged to have engaged in sex trafficking conduct. This report has been researched and prepared over a three year period in collaboration with the JuST Response Council and the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Villanova Law. Learn more about the importance of this report.  Please join us for our Facebook live briefing on the Victim-Offender Intersectionality on Thursday, January 23rd

More details on the Shared Hope Institute and report will be released January 23rd, 2020.

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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

 

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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:

  1. 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
  2. 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. 

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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

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Shared Hope Attends: Women of Color Against the Sex Trade

Shared Hope Attends Women of Color Against the Sex Trade Image

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.

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