Latest News - Page 27 of 120 - Shared Hope International

August 16, 2019 by Marissa Gunther

Nowhere to Hide: Shared Hope’s New Tools Shine Light on Predatory Grooming and Internet Safety

By: Marissa Gunther, Director of Growth Strategies, Shared Hope International

As I prepared this announcement for Shared Hope’s Internet Safety Series, the children in your life were on my mind.

And, transparently, I have a son of my own. He turned eight earlier this month. He is curious, creative, and energetic – imagine a walking, talking pile of puppies – that’s him. And much like your kids or grand-kids are to you, he is my heart walking outside of my body.

While I’d like to tell you his favorite toy is Legos, I am certain he would quickly correct me and tell the world that his Kindle Fire is his actual favorite, thank you very much! So, despite being allowed one hour of heavily controlled tablet time per week, my son and his tablet stayed at the forefront of my mind as our Growth Strategies and Awareness team researched predatory online grooming and technology dangers.

As we’ve peeled back layers of the online world as experienced by children and teens, one emotion has grown stronger the deeper we’ve dug…

Fear.

Predators are luring kids on any internet device that may come to mind. They are using tablets, smartphones, smartwatches, even video game consoles, and multi-player gaming. In these online venues, children and teens are being enticed, entrapped, and then sold for sex.

That common saying – where children play, predators prey – it’s so true.

We experienced this predatory behavior firsthand at Shared Hope, and you need to know what we saw and what we were asked to do.

While researching commonly used mobile apps, our staff member posing as a 15-year-old female was solicited within minutes by an adult male. She was sent pornographic images, asked to remove her clothing, and in one case to meet in-person. Another adult male groomed her with friendship over several days; then, his messages started to become sexually explicit. His profile picture was a puppy.

Worse still, the solicitors were decades older… decades!

Screenshots taken by Shared Hope’s staff researcher

Seeing and experiencing the evidence right before my eyes, I thought: How do I keep my son safe in an ever-changing, anonymous digital world? How do we help other parents and caregivers keep their kids safe? How do we help kids develop healthy boundaries and resilience when they are being tricked and fooled?

The answer?

We start the conversation now and we do it together – with courage, persistence, and the facts in our hands.

Thanks to the work of our team here at Shared Hope, and with the input and support of our Ambassadors of Hope, survivors, and law enforcement, we now have new tools available to start the conversation. We are thrilled to be able to put these important resources on Internet Safety in your hands today.

A new Internet Safety Guide on grooming tactics and warning signs to help keep children from being enticed by online predators.
A new resource and supporting research on mobile apps commonly used by children and teens.
A new educational video series to you help navigate the latest technology and apps that predators use to target children and teens — facilitated by Kelly, Shared Hope’s Community Engagement Manager and internet safety specialist.
And coming this month a comprehensive Internet safety toolkit — with information and resources on technology dangers, parental controls, networks, mobile apps, gaming, and sexting, along with “how-to” safety tips.

These resources will empower you to:

Teach your children and teens about grooming and sex trafficking.
Navigate the latest technology and apps that predators use to target children and teens.
Let friends and family know they can learn to identify the warning signs.
Make children aware of the dangers of the online world and what they can do to develop safe, healthy boundaries and resilience.

But we’re not stopping here. With an ever-changing digital world, our team is making a promise to stay on top of the latest technology to get new information into your hands as it develops.

You can sign-up for our Internet Safety newsletter HERE

I’d say at this point that I’ve said enough, but we can’t stop here friends. We just can’t. We need to have this conversation with as many people as possible – to get these resources in as many hands as possible – to keep the conversations going.

Let’s start a ripple. Let’s shine a light in every community across the nation.

The more people are equipped to spot the dangers and signs of predatory grooming and child sex trafficking, the easier it will be to put an end to it. There will be nowhere left for predators to hide.

I hope this information empowers you to ensure the safety of the kids in your life. I truly believe that, together, we can be lights in the darkness….

…in our homes, in our communities…and online.

August 12, 2019 by SHI Staff

An Unexpected Friendship – 2019 JuST Conference Closing Plenary

We are excited to announce that Marian Hatcher and John Pulley will be joining us on the JuST Conference plenary stage as our closing plenary!

Marian and John will be presenting, Conversation with a Reformed Buyer – “I Represent the Worst of What Happened to You” on Thursday, October 17 at this year’s JuST (Juvenile Sex Trafficking) Conference in Cincinnati, OH. Visit justconference.org/just2019 to review our workshop agenda and for more information on how to register.

Interested in learning more? Review their blog post below.

[clear-line]

An Unexpected Friendship

by Marian Hatcher, Rev Dr., Policy Analyst & Victim Advocate, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Public Policy and John Pulley, Co-Founder, ManAlive Expedition

John Pulley: Last summer I had the privilege of speaking at the JuST Faith Summit. I was thrilled to be included in the program and about as nervous as a person can be. Public speaking was not the issue. Speaking as a former buyer to a room full of survivors, advocates, and crusaders was the driver for my nerves.

Marian Hatcher was taking the stage immediately after my session. Based on what I knew of her being a survivor and her history in the abolition movement, I was not sure how my presentation would be received.

A wise person once said, “Unexpected friendships are the best ones.”

Marian’s grace towards me that day forged one of those unexpected friendships. She showed deep kindness in the words she spoke to me publicly before she began her presentation.

As we have had the opportunity to get to know one another through phone calls, text messages, and social media, I have come to respect her dearly. We have discussed the work towards ending slavery. We have discussed our families and history. We have prayed together. We have also given each other insights and perspectives that we would not have gleaned otherwise.

The friendship has been one of mutual respect and honesty and has brought more than its share of the unexpected.

We are genuinely excited to be able to present at the JuST Conference in October.

Marian Hatcher: Yes, we are excited and no, I never expected to be associated with a former buyer let alone become “chums”. Our unexpected friendship is a testament to Gods love, forgiveness, grace and mercy. It was just the thing to do. On the stage in Minnesota that day, I felt such compassion and understanding as John shared with such courage, a part of his journey.

I remembered sharing parts of my story years ago. Of course, I shared as the victim not the victimizer, so there was, in my eyes a different kind of courage required by him. One steeped in deep humility and acknowledgment of terrible, awful actions on his part. All to satiate his appetites for sexual gratification.

As a Christian, as a human being, who has also done terrible and awful things, I found forgiving John a way to free myself of a continuing mental/spiritual bondage, previously unrecognized. My healing continued that day, as did his.

It’s unfortunate his name is “John”(LOL), because today, he’s a pretty good guy. How about we call them what they are “sex buyers”.

[clear-line]

Marian Hatcher has been with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) for 14 years where she is now, Policy Analyst & Victim Advocate in the Office of Public Policy. She coordinates several of CCSO’s anti-trafficking efforts such as the “National Johns Suppression Initiative,” a nationwide effort targeting the buyers of sex as the driving force of sex trafficking and prostitution. Marian is a national expert on combating the demand, sitting on numerous boards (including Shared Hopes Advisory Board) and facilitating trainings for the FBI and Homeland Security. She has been featured in numerous documentaries, including I AM JANE DOE. Marian is a 2014 recipient of the Pathbreaker Award and in 2016 she was honored by President Obama with a Presidential lifetime volunteer achievement award.

John Pulley

John Pulley is an author and public speaker. Speaking openly, honestly and without shame, he speaks boldly to the hearts of men who are dealing with sexual addictions of all kinds. As a former buyer and sex addict, he knows firsthand the devastation hidden and minimized sexual issues are causing to individuals, marriages and communities. He is currently finishing a book about his journey into and out of addiction. John is also a consultant to the anti human slavery organization Fierce Freedom and co-founder of ManAlive Expedition, a ministry that is a raw, honest journey into the deep desires and passions of the heart of a man. Like his passion for speaking, the core and primary objective is to create an environment that allows men to connect with and hear from the Father directly – allowing Him to interpret and speak insight directly into their lives.

August 7, 2019 by Sarah Bendtsen

How to Make an Ocean Rise – Celebrating Cyntoia Brown’s Release

“Ripples. When you create a difference in someone’s life, you not only impact their life, you impact everyone influenced by them throughout their entire lifetime. No act is ever too small. One by one, that is how to make an ocean rise.” –Danielle Doby, Author

Eight months ago, we learned that Cyntoia Brown, a survivor of child sex trafficking, was

facing a potential turning point in her life story. In 2004, at 16 years old and in the throes of life experiences that no child should have, Cyntoia killed a man who had purchased her for sex. Despite overwhelming evidence of horrific childhood trauma and current exploitation, she was tried as an adult and convicted of murder. Instead of providing protection and services appropriate for Cyntoia’s trafficking victimization, the state handed her a sentence of life in prison.

Almost 15 years into her sentence, and after years of tireless cries for justice by advocates across the country, we learned that Cyntoia’s case was being considered for clemency. And so we turned to you—advocates from all walks of life—to demand justice for Cyntoia. In less than three weeks, 4,590 of you took action, signing a petition to Tennessee Governor Haslam, asking that he use his authority to grant clemency to Cyntoia. We celebrated when, on January 7th, the outgoing Governor Haslam stood on the side of justice and granted clemency to Cyntoia. And we celebrate again as we witness Cyntoia’s long-awaited release from prison today.

We celebrate this moment of justice for a survivor. We celebrate the policy advancements this specific case, and the resulting dialogues have inspired. We celebrate as we anticipate the effect Cyntoia’s case will have on other survivors of sex trafficking who may face unjust responses from the juvenile and criminal justice systems. We celebrate because we see an ocean rising.[easy-tweet tweet=”We celebrate as we anticipate the effect Cyntoia’s case will have on other survivors of sex trafficking who may face unjust responses from the juvenile and criminal justice systems.” user=”SharedHope” hashtags=”SharedHope, StoptheInjustice” url=”https://sharedhope.org/2019/08/07/how-to-make-an-ocean-rise-celebrating-cyntoia-browns-release/” template=”dark”]

When you took action, you impacted Cyntoia’s life. Resultantly, we know Cyntoia will have an extraordinary impact on her community and in this movement. The ripples from your signature, your call, your social media post will continue. Because of that, we know we have arrived at the door of critical and sustainable change.

With both immense admiration for Cyntoia’s strength and gratitude for the relentlessness of fellow advocates from across the county, we remain steadfast in our commitment to pursue justice for all survivors of sex trafficking. We invite you to join along and seek protection, not punishment, for youth who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation. Together, we can make the ocean rise.

August 2, 2019 by Marissa Gunther

What Does Being a “Four-Star Charity” Mean?

By Marissa Gunther, Director of Growth Strategies, Shared Hope International

For the 6th consecutive year, Shared Hope International has achieved the coveted four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest independent evaluator of charities. Following a thoroughly comprehensive review, Shared Hope earned 92.73 points out of 100 overall for the Fiscal Year 2018.

So what exactly does that mean?

Here is what Charity Navigator President and CEO Michael Thatcher had to say about our score in a letter dated August 1, 2019:

“Only 9% of the charities we evaluate have received at least 6 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Shared Hope international exceeds industry standards and outperforms most other charities in America. This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets Shared Hope apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness.”

Aiming to achieve a four-star rating is our commitment to our donors, supporters and the vulnerable adults, girls, and boys we serve. We specifically strive for:

Sound fiscal management
Commitment to accountability and transparency

Our mission is preventing the conditions that foster sex trafficking, restoring and empowering survivors, and bringing justice to vulnerable adults and children. We cannot accomplish our mission without the trust of our donors, collaborators, legislators and the public.

And so, we are throwing all the confetti and popping all the corks celebrating this achievement today. We hope that our continuous efforts to be financially healthy, transparent and accountable prove to be worthy and deserving of your trust.

We celebrate YOU, too!

Thank you for trusting us with your donations, your volunteer time, and your belief in our mission. Your support means the world to us, and to the vulnerable adults, girls, and boys that we serve.

Shared Hope International Ambassador's of Hope — Shared Hope International Ambassador’s of Hope

Because of you, we can continue providing hope – one life at a time. Thank you for being part of our mission to end child sex trafficking!

You can review Shared Hope’s full profile and rating by Charity Navigator HERE.

July 29, 2019 by Marissa Gunther

Running Upstream: A Call to Action this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

By Marissa Gunther, Director of Growth Strategies, Shared Hope International

Perhaps you’re familiar with the fable of the man and the river?

The story is commonly told like this: A man sits peacefully on a grassy slope that rolls into a river’s edge, his family picnicking and playing nearby. As he listens to his children’s laughter, their shrieks of joy echoing off the hillside, a different more desperate sound breaks through.

A scream. Help!

Alarmed, the man frantically looks for the source and finds it coming from the river. A girl, no older than his own young daughter, is fighting for her life as the current sweeps her downstream.

Without thinking, the man takes off running down the slope into the icy waters and grabs the young girl before it’s too late.

Now, back at shore, the man wonders with wild confusion…How did this happen?

But before he can ask the frozen and exhausted child any questions, he hears another scream. Then another. And then another. The man looks back at the river to find dozens of children, girls and boys, hopelessly clambering to stay afloat as the river washes them away.

He quickly realizes that he can’t save all of the children alone. He needs more help.

He yells for other picnicking families from his village to join him in the rescue attempts – the village begins swimming as quickly as possible to rescue each child.

Soon rescue teams and fire trucks arrive, and out jumps the fire chief. She takes one long look at the situation and begins to run up the river, realizing that somehow, for some reason, the children keep falling in the river upstream. There is where she will find the source of the problem.

Like the fire chief, we too must hurry upstream and address the source.

Pictured, children at our Village of Hope, Pune India

For over 20 years, Shared Hope has been pulling children out of the deadly river that is child sex trafficking through restoration and empowerment. Currently, we’re providing funding and technical assistance to partners in India, Nepal, Jamaica and in the United States that provide safe housing, medical care, education, vocational training, and therapeutic services.

But someone – somewhere – is creating a demand for the children and vulnerable adults we’re helping. More and more children will fall into the river unless someone fixes the source.

We will not quit until every child is safe.

And so, we support the United Nation’s global plan of action and will celebrate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30. We see this day not just as an occasion, but as an opportunity to educate the public about the scourge of human trafficking, to mobilize a political force and the resources needed to truly address the source of the problem, and to celebrate the achievements of the abolitionists of today and survivor leaders who bravely speak out and stand up to this evil. [easy-tweet tweet=”We support the United Nation’s global plan of action and will celebrate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30.” user=”SharedHope” hashtags=”SharedHope, StoptheInjustice” url=”https://www.un.org/en/events/humantrafficking/” template=”dark”]

Research spanning multiple decades, including data collected by both Shared Hope and the UN reinforce the fact that human trafficking is a global problem and no country is immune to it. Millions of victims fall in to the hands of traffickers, lured by fake promises and deceit, and fueled by the economics of market demand.

Data also shows that trafficking happens all around us. According to the 2018 UN Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, the number of victims trafficked within their own country has doubled in recent years to a staggering 58% of all detected victims. Note that these numbers exclude the millions of suspected unreported cases.

In response, government entities around the globe have passed laws that aim to protect victims and hold offenders accountable. However, even with laws on the books, including laws passed at the state and federal level in the United States, victims continue to be trafficked and criminalized while the crimes of traffickers go unpunished.

Astonishingly, over one third of the states in the US lack laws that would prevent minor victims of sex trafficking from being criminalized for the crime of prostitution rather than ensuring they receive a protective response and specialized, trauma-informed services.

Yes, you read that right.

Child sex trafficking victims in the US are still being arrested for the crime committed against them.

So tomorrow, Shared Hope stands with the United Nations and celebrates their decision to focus 2019 World Day on highlighting the importance of government action in the interest of justice for victims.[easy-tweet tweet=”Shared Hope stands with the UN and celebrates their decision to focus 2019 World Day on highlighting the importance of government action in the interest of justice for victims.” user=”SharedHope” hashtags=”SharedHope, StoptheInjustice” url=”https://www.un.org/en/events/humantrafficking/” template=”dark”]

And, like the fabled man and his village, we are running full speed towards UN’s call to action – PREVENTION. Everyone, not just government entities, can take action to stop children from ever falling into the dangerous and brutal river that is sex trafficking.

We can, together, mobilize our own village of hope.

So you might be thinking…

Yes, yes, YES! Trafficking is a big problem and it will take a big village. So where is my place in all of this?

Shared Hope has a pathway to action for you. Right where you are, as you are.

Consider the following actions as a great place to start:

Become well educated on the issue and learn as much as possible about what life is really like for trafficking victims. Take time to learn about the conditions that foster trafficking, and how this dark marketplace is fueled by buyers who pay traffickers to supply victims to meet their demand. Then educate others. As a place to start, we recommend reading or listening to the audiobook Renting Lacy by Linda Smith, which details eye-opening information based on real victim stories of youth bought and sold within the American commercial sex trade. Share the book with others when you’re done.
Learn the warning signs and how to respond responsibly. To get you started, you can visit SharedHope.org to access several downloadable, free resources on warning signs and how to take action. You can report suspected child sex trafficking to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678).
Volunteer your time and talents. Shared Hope offers many on-ramps to taking action. Easier still, you can get started in any place that is comfortable to you, at your school, faith community, social media group – even in your own home. Our Ambassadors of Hope are trained and supported volunteers who carry the torch of prevention education into their communities, their voices causing a culture changing ripple effect across the nation. Join our team today!
Your voice matters and can make a difference. Legislative advocacy is an effective tool that can strengthen legal protective responses to victims, ensure pathways to social services for survivors, and hold buyers and traffickers accountable. If you feel moved to learn more about the laws combating sex trafficking in your state, visit our legislative action center.
Give a gift of hope. Your giving empowers Shared Hope to continue our work to eradicate child sex trafficking through prevention, restoration and bringing justice. You can make an impactful, tax-deductible donation to Shared Hope here.