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January 28, 2026 by Guest

Restoration and Healing

Bob Williams, Just Like Me Leader

As a survivor, I’m reminded every day of a journey that stretched over twelve difficult years. Looking back, I can now see that God had been planting seeds of knowledge, strength, and hope within me, even when I couldn’t recognize them. During that time, I felt like I was only existing. Substances were first used to control me, and later I relied on them to numb the pain and simply get through each day. Eventually, that wasn’t enough.

My journey began at 17, after a traumatic event left me feeling isolated and without support. In those days, there were few resources for boys, and it wasn’t something people talked about. That path led to homelessness, survival by any means, and being taken advantage of in ways no one should experience.

I’m often reminded of Isaiah 40:29
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
I was both weak and weary, but I held on. I got clean and sober at 29, and it was one of the hardest battles of my life. In the early years of sobriety, I realized that the circle around me had to be made of people who truly wanted to see me healthy, happy, and growing—people who would walk beside me as I learned boundaries, self-respect, and, most importantly, hope. Those were things I didn’t have before.

Someone shared Jeremiah 30:17 with me:
“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord.”
It helped me recognize that even though I was broken, God could bring healing. With faith, I realized I could step into the light rather than remain in the darkness. That was when I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart and understood that all things are possible through Him. I came to trust that healing would take time, that God had a plan, that my past did not define me, and that I could hand my struggles over to Him.

I was told relapse was part of recovery, but deep down I believed that didn’t have to be my story. I learned to treat myself with kindness, to forgive so that true healing could begin, and to love the person I am becoming. I learned to be proud of the man I am today.

To anyone reading this: you were born pure and beautiful. You are one of God’s children, and your life is not a mistake. We cannot change the past, but we can shape the future. God heals the brokenhearted and lifts up those who feel crushed in spirit. Never give up. You matter, you are important, and your journey may one day be someone else’s source of hope.

January 23, 2026 by Guest

Report Cards in Action: Illinois Case Study

A post from Rev. Dr. Marian Hatcher, Shared Hope Policy Consultant

Shared Hope International’s Report Cards are designed not merely to evaluate state laws, but to serve as an advocacy roadmap for lawmakers seeking to strengthen their state’s response to trafficking. By clearly identifying gaps, elevating best practices, and pairing grades with technical assistance, the Report Cards help states understand how to improve—not just where they fall short.

Illinois offers a powerful case study of how this tool is intended to be used. Its journey—from early leadership, to setbacks under an updated survivor-centered framework, and ultimately to comprehensive reform—demonstrates how policymakers can leverage the Report Cards to improve both their grade and, more importantly, outcomes for trafficked children and youth.

History of the Report Cards Project

In 2011, the Protect Innocence Challenge (PIC) project was launched in response to a critical gap: many states did not have a criminal law against child sex trafficking. This gap made it difficult to identify victims, hold offenders accountable, or build effective systems of protection.

In response, Shared Hope began sustained advocacy to strengthen state laws and improve protections for survivors. The earliest Report Cards reflected the reality of the time—most states received failing grades.

This work required more than statutory reform. It demanded a shift in cultural attitudes and stronger collaboration across systems. By supporting state legislators and engaging partners in law enforcement, child welfare, and survivor advocacy, Shared Hope helped expose gaps in existing laws and advance survivor-centered policies. This approach fostered shared responsibility and laid the foundation for more protective legal frameworks.

The impact was significant. By 2019, no state received an “F,” and most earned grades of “A” or “B,” signaling a nationwide shift in how child sex trafficking was understood and addressed.

Building on this progress, Shared Hope introduced the Report Cards on Child and Youth Sex Trafficking, an advanced legislative framework that reflected a deeper evolution in state policy—placing greater emphasis on victim protections and trauma-informed, survivor-centered responses.

In October 2025, Shared Hope launched the Just Like Me Report Card, a natural outgrowth of this work and a reflection of the organization’s commitment to ending the unjust criminalization of trafficking survivors. Grounded in years of research, collaboration, and legislative advocacy, the Just Like Me Campaign aims to stop the ongoing injustice of criminalizing survivors.

Designed as an accessible advocacy tool, the Just Like Me Report Cards provide a clear snapshot of where each state’s laws stand across ten key priorities. A companion Policymakers’ Guide offers detailed statutory analysis of 37 areas of law, along with state-specific recommendations to strengthen protections and advance reform. Together, these resources equip policymakers with actionable guidance to craft law and policy that ensure all survivors are recognized, supported, and protected.

Report Cards in Action: Illinois Case Study

Illinois was an early leader in responding to child sex trafficking. In 2010, it became the first state in the country to enact a Safe Harbor law—the Illinois Safe Children’s Act—designed to divert child trafficking victims from the criminal legal system into services. This landmark legislation helped establish Illinois as a model for survivor-centered policy and contributed to the state earning a “B” on Shared Hope’s 2019 Report Card, reflecting strong legislative efforts related to domestic minor sex trafficking, demand reduction, trafficker accountability, and investigative tools.

During my tenure prior to retirement from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, I was deeply involved in statewide and local collaborations reflected in Report Card periods from 2011 through 2019, including work across child welfare and law enforcement systems. While Illinois’s early leadership was significant, implementation challenges soon emerged. Insufficient oversight, delayed appropriations, leadership turnover, and an overburdened child welfare system at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services limited the Safe Harbor law’s effectiveness and strained statewide coordination.

Over time, these growing pains gave way to increased awareness, advocacy, and collaboration across agencies. Still, when Illinois’s grade fell from a “B” to an “F” under the advanced Report Cards on Child and Youth Sex Trafficking, the shift prompted swift public scrutiny—demonstrating the accountability power of the Report Cards and underscoring the need for system-level reform.

In response, I began liaising, in my role as a Shared Hope International policy consultant, with the statewide joint task force co-chaired by the Illinois State Police. Alongside Sidney McCoy, Shared Hope’s Director of Advocacy, we provided technical assistance and a Report Card briefing to the task force. Encouragingly, state leaders were already working to address gaps in coordination and pursuing legislative reforms to strengthen Illinois’s juvenile trafficking response. Shared Hope’s role was to help align those efforts with the Report Card framework and refine remaining areas in need of reform.

These efforts—along with the sustained advocacy of survivor leaders and partner organizations across Illinois—culminated in the passage of the Illinois Statewide Trauma-Informed Response to Human Trafficking Act. With this comprehensive, coordinated, and survivor-centered legislation in place, Illinois’s grade rose from an “F” to an “A.”

“Illinois is now among the leading states in the fight against human trafficking, and this new ‘A’ ranking from Shared Hope International represents my administration’s enduring commitment to keeping all Illinoisans safe,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This year, I proudly signed pivotal legislation that established a coordinated, multi-agency effort to better support survivors of human trafficking.”

“This progress reflects the power of community—survivors, advocates, and public servants coming together to build systems rooted in dignity and care,” said Dulce M. Quintero, Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services and Joint Human Trafficking Working Group Co-Chair. “This Act strengthens our shared capacity to respond with humanity and purpose.”

Conclusion

Illinois’s journey—from early leadership, through implementation challenges, to renewed reform—illustrates exactly how Shared Hope’s Report Cards are intended to function: as a constructive advocacy tool that identifies gaps, sparks accountability, and supports lawmakers in building stronger, survivor-centered systems. Grades are not an endpoint; they are a catalyst for collaboration, technical assistance, and progress.

When policymakers engage with the Report Cards as a roadmap rather than a ranking, real change is possible. Illinois’s transformation from an “F” to an “A” demonstrates that with political will, coordinated systems, and trauma-informed policy, states can meaningfully improve their response to child and youth sex trafficking—and better protect those most at risk.

January 23, 2026 by Guest

Praying for Men to Step up in the Movement

Kevin O’Fallon, Colorado Ambassador of Hope

Child trafficking remains one of the darkest injustices facing our world today. I began my journey in this battle in late 2024 when my wife and I took an intense 6-day course with ARC, Association for the Recovery of Children followed by Shared Hope International’s Ambassador of Hope training. My heart is heavy with the knowledge of such evil and the unimaginable suffering endured by children caught in trafficking. I cannot imagine anything darker than this horrific injustice on the innocent happening. It truly is pure evil. My prayer is that God would reveal His will for me, guide my steps, and equip me to make a real difference while I am in this world. Now that I have become equipped with the knowledge, I ask that He guides me to how I can make a difference in this battle. Organizations like Shared Hope International work tirelessly to combat this evil and bring hope, healing, and justice to those affected. In this pivotal battle, the role of men as protectors, advocates, and leaders are crucial. These words seek to inspire, encourage, and mobilize men to step up courageously and compassionately in the fight against child trafficking.

A Prayer of Commitment and Courage

Heavenly Father, we come before You with heavy hearts, grieved by the reality of child trafficking in our communities and across the world. Lord, I ask for Your guidance in this journey. The evil in this world can feel overwhelming, but I trust that You are greater. Equip us, Lord, to battle this injustice. Give us eyes to see, voices to speak, and hands willing to act. May we rise-up as protectors of the vulnerable, defenders of the oppressed, and ambassadors of Your justice.

As we engage in this battle, we remember Your word. These verses remind us that our struggle is both spiritual and practical, and that we are called to overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21 & Ephesians 6:12-13:

We pray for wisdom, discernment, and courage for men called to leadership in their homes, churches, workplaces, and communities. Empower them to educate themselves and others about the realities of trafficking. Guide them in supporting organizations like Shared Hope International through volunteering, advocacy, and financial partnership. Let their influence be a catalyst for change, inspiring other men to join the battle, challenge harmful attitudes, and create cultures of respect and safety for children.

Lord, we intercede for every child trapped in the web of trafficking. Surround them with Your protection and comfort. Lead men to be instruments of Your rescue and restoration, helping survivors reclaim hope, dignity, and freedom. Grant healing to wounded hearts and renew their faith in humanity through the compassion of men who serve with integrity and love.

May these words inspire and mobilize men everywhere to take a stand and help bring hope and freedom to children in need.

Next steps from Kevin:

How Men Can Get Involved

Educate yourself about child trafficking and spread awareness in your community.\
Support organizations like Shared Hope International through donations, volunteering, or advocacy.
Mentor at-risk youth and promote safe environments for children.
Speak out against exploitation and challenge harmful cultural attitudes.
Pray regularly for victims, survivors, and those working to end trafficking.

January 14, 2026 by Guest

Why Faith Matters in Anti-Trafficking & How it Moves Me to Action

Wendy J. Smith, Colorado Ambassador of Hope

“One of the ways God brings His kingdom, ‘on earth as it is in heaven,’ is through His people…vehicles God can use to bring His love, justice and beauty to a world desperate for all of these things.” — N.T. Wright

From the beginning God created mankind in His image — Imago Dei (Gen. 1:27). Yet through the Fall, sin entered the world, and the enemy has worked to destroy that image ever since. We see the devastation everywhere: human trafficking, addiction, pornography, violence, corruption, and confusion that distorts what God designed to be good and beautiful.

For over 18 years my husband and I served weekly in prison ministry. We met both the abused and the abusers — often the same person. One woman and her truck-driver husband pulled their 8- and 10-year-old children from school to sell them at truck stops. They were captives of the enemy (2 Tim. 2:26).

At the Super Max in Florence, CO, we met a man who had been incarcerated 30 years with no calls, letters, or visits. His mother once sold him for rent; when he wet the bed, she sent him to school in urine-soaked clothes, fueling rage and violence that later marked his life. But everyone has a story, and only through Christ can we see where people are — and where God can take them. In 2017 he read Romans 1, came under conviction, and surrendered to Jesus. We watched God’s Word change his heart.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come…And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors…” (2 Cor. 5:16-20).

I see myself as an Ambassador of Hope for Christ first and foremost. The simplicity of the gospel gives what the complexity of human wisdom cannot (MacArthur). Hope in Jesus — grounded in His Word and redemptive work — compels me to bring light into darkness: to prevent trafficking, fight for justice, and walk with the wounded toward restoration. Christ’s love moves me to “Defend the weak…Rescue the needy” (Ps. 82:3-4).

My prayer is that every survivor would know they are loved, valuable, and precious — not defined by what was done to them, but by Christ who redeems them. At the cross, grace, mercy, forgiveness, healing, justice, and love meet.

Soli Deo Gloria

January 9, 2026 by Sidney McCoy

A Landmark Step for Justice — and a Call for Continued Advocacy

Today is a moment worth celebrating — and reflecting on.

The passage of the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act (TSRA), coupled with the President’s commitment to sign it into law, marks a long-overdue recognition at the federal level: survivors of trafficking should not carry lifelong criminal records for crimes they were compelled to commit as they were being trafficked.

This is meaningful progress. And it has been a long time coming.

For almost a decade, Shared Hope International has worked alongside national partners, lived experience experts, and congressional champions to introduce, reintroduce, and advance TSRA. The bill’s movement is the result of years of coalition-building, survivor leadership, education, and persistence — a reminder that systemic change rarely happens quickly, especially when it challenges deeply entrenched views of who is seen as a “victim” versus an “offender.”

At the same time, it’s important to be honest about what TSRA does and does not do.

While the legislation provides a critical pathway for some survivors to seek relief from federal convictions and raise an affirmative defense, it will not reach all survivors who have been unjustly criminalized. This limitation reflects a reality advocates know well: reform often begins narrowly before expanding over time.

We’ve seen this pattern clearly at the state level. Today, 42 states and D.C. have enacted some form of vacatur for trafficking survivors, yet eligibility varies widely. Many states started with limited offense categories and, over the course of years, expanded relief as lawmakers gained a deeper understanding of trafficking dynamics and survivor experiences. From an advocacy perspective, this incremental approach is common — and often necessary. We will work toward that same evolution at the federal level.

Shared Hope’s leadership in this space is grounded in decades of work and a clear-eyed understanding of victim–offender intersectionality (VOI) — the injustice that occurs when survivors are charged, sometimes alongside their traffickers, without regard for coercion, control, and trauma. Through extensive research and collaboration, Shared Hope has helped shine a light on how survivors are swept into the criminal legal system, including at the federal level, and why reform must account for those realities.

Having walked alongside survivors who were wrongfully criminalized, we know firsthand how devastating criminal records tied to trafficking can be — blocking access to housing, employment, education, and long-term stability. TSRA is not the finish line. But it is a critical step toward a system that stops compounding harm and starts aligning with justice.

Progress deserves recognition. Limitations demand continued advocacy. And survivors deserve nothing less than our sustained commitment to getting this right — at every level of government.

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