Advocacy

Advocacy

Advocacy seeks to change policy by creating and changing laws, affecting public opinion, and strengthening the community factors and judicial systems that will deter trafficking. Advocates against human trafficking can engage in advocacy by meeting with a legislator, writing an editorial for a newspaper, signing a petition, and engaging in other activities that raise awareness and promote change. Legislation against human trafficking can be directed at the local level or be targeted at the international countries who desire a working relationship with the United States. Most importantly, advocates pray to the One who is the defender of the helpless.

A Village For One

A Village for One is currently fundraising to build a therapeutic residence where each child has a holistic plan of care. 

Christian Trafficking Shelter Association: The Home Foundation

The Christian Trafficking Shelter Association (CTSA) was formed under The Home Foundation for the purpose of creating a best practices model to care for the victims of human trafficking here in the United States. It provides funding assistance to Christ-centered organizations who meet previously established standards of care.

Compassion First

Compassion First is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, providing long-term, hope-filled solutions for survivors of child sexual trafficking. We have a global vision, providing services to the world’s most vulnerable in one of the most under-served regions of the world. Compassion First’s primary operations are provided through Ruth’s House, the first full service aftercare facility for sexually trafficked girls in Indonesia.

End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT)

ECPAT International works to make a reality of the Stockholm Agenda for Action against the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). The Agenda was adopted by 122 countries at the First World Congress against CSEC in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1996. 

Girls Educational and Mentoring Services

The mission of the Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS) is to empower young women, ages 12-21, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. 

International Justice Mission

International Justice Mission (IJM) is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems.

LifeWorks Northwest - New Options for Women (NOW)

Mental Health and Addictions Treatment

LifeWorks Northwest’s New Options for Women (NOW) Program was granted funding in 2008 to decrease street prostitution on 82nd Ave.  The NOW Program provides services to women and girls who have been commercially, sexually exploited. Services offered include mental health and addictions treatment, peer mentoring, case management and wrap-around services to assist participants in getting their basic needs met.  

 

Oregon Abuse Advocates & Survivors In Service (OAASIS)

Oregon Abuse Advocates and Survivors in Service (OAASIS) is a coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to increasing public awareness of the realities of childhood sexual abuse, to supporting and empowering survivors of such abuse, and to advocating for strong public policies and laws aimed at preventing it.

Oregon Center for Christian Voices

The Oregon Center for Christian Voices (OCCV) is an advocacy and awareness network that seeks to educate the church in biblical justice. They are a part of a growing movement of followers of Jesus Christ who are committed to walking humbly with God, loving His mercy and doing justice. They advocate for the most vulnerable residents by seeking to address systemic changes to protect the poor, sick and oppressed as well as our environment through impacting public policy.

Oregonians Against the Trafficking of Humans

Oregonians Against the Trafficking of Humans (OATH) is a statewide campaign that promotes public awareness regarding the realities of human trafficking within the state of Oregon.  It provides training and education to Oregon citizens, coordinates victim resources, investigates trafficking cases to assist in the aggressive prosecution of human traffickers within Oregon and attempts to quantify, for statistical research, the scope of human trafficking that exists within the state of Oregon.

Outreach and Support to Special Immigrants Population Catholic Charities of Oregon

Outreach and Support to Special Immigrants Population (OSSIP) is a comprehensive assistance program for foreign-born survivors of human trafficking supported by Catholic Charities in Oregon.  OSSIP provides intensive case management and legal services to survivors of human trafficking, to aid survivors in successfully navigating all aspects of the U.S. legal and social services system, with the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency and self-empowerment for the survivor.

Polaris Project: The National Human Trafficking Resource Center

Polaris Project is one of the largest anti-trafficking organizations in the United States and Japan. Polaris Projects has a comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking which includes conducting direct outreach and victim identification and providing social services and transi- tional housing to victims. They also provide training and technical assistance through NTTAP (more info below). Additionally, Polaris Project operates the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) that serves as the central national hotline on human trafficking. It advocates for stronger state and federal anti-trafficking legislation and engages community members in local and national grassroots efforts. They currently have local projects in Washington DC. Colorado, New Jersey and Tokyo, Japan.

Sexual Assault Resource Center

SARC’s mission is to promote social justice by eliminating sexual violence through advocacy, education, and support. Founded in 1977 by two sexual assault survivors, SARC seeks to provide immediate response and support to sexually assaulted survivors and empower them to heal and regain control of their lives

Shared Hope International

Shared Hope International (SHI) exists to prevent, rescue and restore women and children in crisis. They have gained a reputation for prompting legal and political reform against trafficking, and have expertise in restoring women and children worldwide.  They are also leaders in a worldwide effort to prevent and eradicate sex trafficking and slavery through education and public awareness.

The Defenders USA

The Defenders USA is a coalition of men across the United States who are opposed to all forms of commercialized sex. We’re guys who take a pledge and take action. We educate, equip, and empower other men to fight against the sex industry, and protect their families.