News & Events

Dr. Marian Hatcher Shared Hope Policy Consultant Ambassador-at-Large, United Nations This writing is immensely important to me, personally and professionally. The heartbeat of accomplishment can be summed up in a quote I admire. “I am a very strong believer in listening and learning from others” - Ruth Bader Ginsburg I can think of no...

As Congress heads into Summer Recess and 27 of the 46 states in session in 2022 have adjourned for the calendar year, Shared Hope is doing a legislative update blog series on state and federal laws that have been introduced and enacted with the potential to impact survivors of...

Shared Hope has been a leader on policy research in the field of child and youth sex trafficking for over 20 years, working to ensure federal, state, and local policies are rooted in and supported by research and promising practices. Shared Hope’s Policy Team provides technical assistance and advocacy support to...

Protecting Trafficking Survivors from Unjust Criminalization Due to the power and control exercised by their traffickers, victims are often compelled or forced to commit crimes they otherwise would not. These crimes can range from prostitution and related charges to drug possession, or even more serious crimes such as trafficking itself....

Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2021 (H.R. 2858) The Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2021, or “Sara's Law,” was introduced into Congress on April 26, 2021. The legislation is named after Sara Kruzan who was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at...

Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Acts (H.R.5150, H.R. 6552, S. 3946, S. 3949) Congress has introduced four Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (“TVPRA”) bills which most notably reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) authorizations which expired in September 2021. The TVPA provides critical tools needed to combat human...

By: Camryn Peterson, Advocacy Manager To truly end child and youth sex trafficking, we must not turn a blind eye to the systems that overlap with commercial sexual exploitation of children. As we reflect on National Foster Care month, we take a closer look at how involvement in foster care...

By Nancy Winston, Senior Director For Linda Smith, it all began with a filthy wisp of a girl, bold enough to cling to her skirt as she experienced India’s wretched brothels for the first time. Jolted into suddenly believing what had seemed just too far-fetched—that children were being sold for...

By: Shauna Devitt, Senior Communications Manager In March we celebrate Women’s History Month, a time to commemorate and celebrate women; women in history, women in the workforce, women who are breaking barriers, women working to eradicate sex trafficking. Women like Shared Hope International’s Founder and President, Linda Smith, who has...