Awareness

Every victimized and vulnerable person deserves to be surrounded by an alert community, trained professionals, strong laws and policies, and shelter and service options. We strive to inspire a nation of informed activists to combat societal norms, misconceptions, and ignorance through the following trafficking awareness initiatives:

Shared Hope International Ambassadors of Hope are people like you – everyday advocates looking for a way to impact your community and the movement to end sex trafficking. The vision statement for the program is, ” The more people who know, the smaller the world becomes for those who buy and sell our children.” Ambassadors of Hope serve as volunteers for Shared Hope so we can expand our impact around the nation.

We work with Ambassadors of Hope to educate, equip and connect you with the information, resources and opportunities you need to create change in your community. Ambassadors of Hope are required to attend an online training to learn the basics of domestic minor sex trafficking including terminology, the scope of the problem, traffickers’ recruitment, grooming and control techniques, victim indicators, and ways to take action on this issue. Shared Hope International equips Ambassadors of Hope with pre-made presentations, fact sheets, reports, books, and other resources. Ambassadors of Hope are connected with other Ambassadors in their region for opportunities to work together at local events for churches, businesses, community groups, conferences, schools, and anti-trafficking efforts.

This film series is designed to teach teens the warning signs and indicators of trafficking through the true stories of teenage girls who were tricked by traffickers. Brianna, Lacy and Maria discuss how modern American pimps and gangs are luring youth into the commercial sex industry and how teens can protect themselves and others from being chosen. The resource packages include additional educational tools to further discussion, learning and action! Discounts available for purchases of two or more packages.

Chosen

Chosen tells the true stories of two ‘All-American’ teenage girls who were tricked by traffickers. Brianna, 18, was a star student, cheerleader and waitress. Lacy, 13, enjoyed church and volunteering in her community. Both were skillfully targeted by traffickers and manipulated into the dangerous commercial sex market. (Run Time: 21:34)

Chosen – Gang Edition

Lured by promises of love and protection Maria was recruited by a gang at 12 years old. For five years, she was forced to sacrifice her body to Mexican drug runs, prostitution, and violence. Trapped in a world she never expected, she was forced to make the ultimate decision: surrender her life to the gang or risk escape? (Run Time: 12:48)

Chosen PLUS Gang Edition 

Chosen PLUS Gang Edition is the most comprehensive youth sex trafficking prevention film and resource package available! Package includes both Chosen and Chosen – Gang Edition films and accompanying resources.

Chosen PLUS Spanish (Elegidos) 

Chosen PLUS Spanish Edition: Lured by promises of love and protection Maria was recruited by a gang at 12 years old. For five years, she was forced to sacrifice her body to Mexican drug runs, prostitution, and violence. Trapped in a world she never expected, she was forced to make the ultimate decision: surrender her life to the gang or risk escape? (Run Time: 12:48)

The Pathbreaker Award is a prestigious award to honor individuals who made an outstanding contribution to the movement against commercial sexual exploitation. In 2000, the U.S. Department of State enlisted Shared Hope to hold Pathbreaking Strategies conferences in six countries to energize the national conversation about the issue of trafficking and share innovative approaches to combat the problem. During this process, we created the Pathbreaker Award to recognize the pioneering efforts of individuals throughout the world. These leaders broke the trend of inaction and initiated proactive responses to prevent sex trafficking.

Pathbreaker Award Winners

The Defenders’ “Take the Pledge” Campaign, launched on Father’s Day 2006, is a national men’s awareness and action campaign. The campaign aims to mobilize an army of 100,000 Defenders to protect and defend exploited women and children. Defenders are men of all ages who take a pledge and take action to fight against the commercial sex industry.

Thousands of men across the nation have already banded together to help prevent and stop prostitution, pornography, and exploitation in all its forms. Join the ranks of committed men on purpose. Become a Defender today.

Click here to Take the Pledge.

Learn more about the Defenders campaign.