Shared Hope International

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

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Home>Latest News

October 12, 2016 by Susanna Bean

Ernie Allen, Co-Founder of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Joins Shared Hope

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ernie Allen, widely recognized expert on child protection and former CEO and co-founder of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) joins Shared Hope International today as Special Advisor to the President.  This alignment brings together two prominent voices in the fight to protect children from commercial sexual exploitation both internationally and domestically.

“We sat down together years ago and found we were working to fight the demand for sex with children from different angles,” said Linda Smith, president and founder of Shared Hope International and former U.S. Congresswoman from Washington State. “Today we are joining forces to continue that work.”

Ernie Allen explained, “Shared Hope has leveraged its global experience fighting demand to lead the development of child sex trafficking laws across the nation that protect our children and punish the criminals who buy and sell sex with kids.  I am pleased that my experience, along with our common purpose and long history together in this fight, will bring about innovations in child protection.”

Ernie Allen joins Shared Hope at an important time. On Nov 17, Shared Hope will release the annual Protected Innocence Challenge state report cards on the sufficiency of laws to protect children and make child sex trafficking a serious crime.  The first year, 2011, 26 states received an F.  Missing and exploited children are frequently the victims of child sex trafficking, with NCMEC reporting 1 in 5 of the 11,800 reported children in 2015 were likely sex trafficking victims, up from 1 in 6 in 2014.  Shared Hope works with the state policymakers and advocates to enact strong laws based on research and action.

Shared Hope International is an international anti-trafficking organization focusing on prevention, restoration and justice for victims of sex trafficking.

 

October 7, 2016 by Samantha

Condemning Pimping of Children on Backpage.com, finally.

On Thursday, news broke that Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer was arrested in Texas (on a California warrant) on felony charges of pimping a minor.  It’s about time.

It is rare to read a press release now that doesn’t mention Backpage.com as a factor in a child sex trafficking arrest. In fact, Shared Hope has tracked nearly 500 law enforcement press releases noting Backpage.com involvement.

Backpage.com has been fighting attempts by prosecutors, legislators and advocacy groups to stop the child sex trafficking that is occurring on their website and has been making them millions for years. Each day that passes sees more victims. Last month Shared Hope joined with leading advocacy organizations in an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of child victims suing Backpage.com for allowing their exploitation to occur on its website. This is just the latest in a long fight to stop Internet exploitation of children, with Backpage.com being the giant in the online classified industry where this exploitation is widely taking place.

In addition, the U.S. Senate held Backpage.com in contempt of Congress in March after it refused to comply with a subpoena in its sex trafficking investigation. TheSenate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has compiled a report on Backpage.com’s activities that demonstrates a purposeful and diabolical strategy to capitalize on the demand for commercial sex with children, and to make as much money as possible from this activity: the true definition of a facilitator of child sex trafficking.  Backpage.com refused to testify at a hearing on the report in November 2015, leading to the Senate voting to issue a contempt order – the first time in 20 years – against CEO Carl Ferrer.  Backpage.com then used every possible legal procedure to stave off producing its corporate communications to the PSI, appealing all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court where it finally ended with the order to comply.

California Attorney General Kamala Harris tells it like it is in the press release from her office: “Backpage and its executives purposefully and unlawfully designed Backpage to be the world’s top online brothel.”

Beyond the legal cases and breaking news is the reality of the thousands of vulnerable children being exploited on Backpage.com; many are still trapped and advertised on Backpage.com as you read this article.  As Shared Hope follows this case, we remain committed in our work to prevent the sale of children for sex, restoring survivors and bringing traffickers and predators to justice.

October 5, 2016 by Guest

Creating a county-wide CSEC MDT: Flying the plane as we are building it…

By Lisa Conn Akoni, MA, MFT; Rita McGaw, MS, MFT; Carrick Adam, MD, MSPH

Over the past few years, several of us from different county agencies have traveled to conventions, workshops, seminars, and trainings, learned from survivors, attended meet-and-greets, etc., and came to one central conclusion…

The only way we will be effective in delivering trauma-informed and victim-centered services throughout all partnering agencies, create systemic change, and provide a continuum of care that serves our population is if we collaborate!

Given the urgent need, we decided to “fly the plane as we build it.” We created a multidisciplinary team comprised of many county partners and local non-profits that are all using a trauma-informed lens (looking at a hierarchy of needs) and using a bio/psycho/social approach to prevention, intervention, investigation, prosecution and data collection.

We have worked very hard to unify our expertise and get people in the same room hearing the same educational messages. From that point of reference, we built a fantastic collaboration which is now accomplishing great things – thanks to the commitment of multiple agencies.

About the authors: Lisa is the Supervisor and program developer for the R.I.S.E. Project. Carrick is a Medical Director working with adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system. Rita is a Victim Witness Program Supervisor. They work together in Santa Barbara County to create systemic change in the county’s response to exploited and abused youth.

This blog post was originally part of our 2016 JuST Conference Speaker Blog Series.

September 26, 2016 by Guest

Attitude of Gratitude

Marti-McGibbon

Copyrighted Content ã By Marti MacGibbon, CADC-II, ACRPS

Attitude is everything. Gratitude is the ultimate attitude adjustment. Since 2000, psychologists have conducted numerous studies on the effect and benefits of gratitude. Gratitude, it turns out, is a very powerful and often overlooked emotion. In the words of Cicero, the ancient Roman philosopher, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues but the parent of all others.” When we live in a state of gratefulness for all that we have, all that we are, and all that comes our way, we constantly receive more things to be grateful for. Gratitude is a powerful force, which instantly begins propelling us forward toward happiness, success and health. Once established as a force within us, gratitude naturally begins radiating out toward others.

Here are three simple methods you can use to quickly become grounded in gratefulness, and continue to increase and refresh your inner gratitude force throughout the day:

Make a mental gratitude list in the moment. This can also be done with pen and paper, but people don’t always have time to do a physical list during a busy day, so try it now, inwardly. Start by thinking the words, “Thank you,” and repeat as you visualize all the things you’re grateful for. For example, take a deep breath, and acknowledge gratitude for the air you’re breathing, the lung capacity you have, and the oxygen to your brain and bloodstream. Look around you, and experience gratitude for your eyesight, the view you’re taking in, and your brain’s power to process the image. While acknowledging your gratitude, allow yourself to luxuriate in the feeling of joy and peace that comes from living in the moment, knowing that the future holds promise for you.

 Create a written gratitude list to read aloud to yourself daily.  Start by saying the words, “Thank you,” aloud a few times — to prime the gratitude pump, so to speak. Begin by recording at least ten things for which you are grateful.  Read the list at least once during your day. Take time to celebrate each entry with a feeling of exultation. Your list may contain items as simple as a good cup of coffee or as wondrous as a spectacular sunset. Feel the thrill and joy of gratitude that fills you each time you read and contemplate your list, and notice how you begin to be inspired to reciprocate by sharing with others.

 Give of yourself and express your gratitude to others.  This step is essential in completing the gratitude cycle. As you begin to acknowledge all that you have, all that you are, and all that comes your way, you come to recognize that everything in life, particularly that which is challenging, is a gift — a miracle.  Consciously celebrate each miracle, and out of your resulting joy comes a desire to “pay it forward.” Every moment experienced in life holds millions of things to be grateful for. Start each day with a gratitude list and see for yourself. Gratitude carries profound results, and it can kick your attitude into positive gear — instantaneously. It works when we work it!

About the Author:  Marti MacGibbon has recovered from and triumphed over human trafficking, adolescent sexual abuse/assault, homelessness, domestic violence, severe PTSD and hard-core drug addiction. Today, she is an internationally known humorous inspirational speaker and a nationally award-winning, bestselling author. 

This blog post was originally part of our 2016 JuST Conference Speaker Blog Series.

 

September 20, 2016 by Guest

Prevention: It Matters!

hannah

pre·ven·tion – prəˈven(t)SH(ə)n/ noun – the action of stopping something from happening or arising.

A study in Minnesota shows a benefit cost analysis for providing preventative and early intervention methods quantified at $34 to $1. For every $1 we spend on preventative measures for young adolescent females at risk for sexual abuse/trafficking, we will save taxpayers $34 (due to increase costs for legal, social health, medical cost, etc.).1 This study is a perfect example of the benefits in analyzing prevention efforts.

Allow me to introduce you to a child we will call Joe. He showed up at school on Tuesday morning believing that it would be a normal day as a seventh grader. As the students filed into their health class, it was unlikely Joe knew that it would be far from normal. As the guest presenter began to share about Human Trafficking and the warning signs, the effects and local realities, the mood started to change. A fellow classmate raised their hand to seek clarity on a specific matter. She asked the facilitator “What does loss of bowel control mean”? The guest facilitator searched the health teacher’s face for the go ahead to answer. Getting the green light, the facilitator explained in an age appropriate manner what sodomization was. Joe subconsciously responded, unable to control his response that was triggered by the discussion. He began to rock with his head between his hands; unnoticed by classmates and even the teacher. Joe, like so many other students, was just given vocabulary to identify abuse that he more than likely believed was normal, or even his fault. The facilitator guided the health teacher to appropriate follow up and ensured that Joe was given a support system. This is just one example as to why prevention matters.2

Prevention is vital when it comes to eliminating any problem. When we look at the issue of human trafficking, prevention must become an essential part of our strategy. We will never have enough resources, time or people to respond to the increasing issue of modern-day slavery. We must find a way to swim upstream and put appropriate measures in place to prevent future victimization. Prevention is not only critical in the fight against human trafficking, but it is indispensable for eliminating the effects of trauma. We know that 70-90% of exploited children have a history of sexual abuse.3 Many states are passing laws (North Carolina, Virginia, and others) that require students in public schools be taught about Human Trafficking through their health classes.  This is creating a demand for evidence-informed curriculum and systematic protocols that ensure at-risk children do not slip through the cracks. Our schools, communities, clubs, places of faith, and businesses are filled with students presenting risk-factors. The question I would pose to you: Do we know who they are? If and when we become a community that knows how to identify at-risk students, before further victimization occurs, then we will begin to change the culture. Prevention: it matters!

1: (Early Intervention to Avoid Sex Trading and Trafficking of Minnesota’s Female Youth: A Benefit-Cost Analysis, Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center, 2012).

2: The story of Joe is true. His name has been changed to protect his identity.

3: 1. Bagley, C. & Young, L. (1987). Juvenile Prostitution and Child Sexual Abuse: A Controlled Study. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health.;. Annual Report. (1991). Council for Prostitution Alternatives. Portland, Oregon.;  Murphy, Patricia. (1993). Making Connections: Women, Work, and Abuse. Paul M. Deutsch Press, Florida.

 About the author: Hannah oversees the development and implementation of sustainable programs for females ages 12-18, focusing on awareness, prevention and direct services to victims of exploitation and trafficking. She blends her experience from the corporate and non-profit worlds into a unique balance of purpose and passion.

This blog post was originally part of our 2016 JuST Conference Speaker Blog Series.

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