Trafficking/Sexual Exploitation

Children of the Night is a privately funded non-profit organization whose specific purpose is to provide intervention in the lives of children who are sexually exploited and vulnerable to or involved in prostitution and pornography. Through their national 24-hour hotline, a child can reach a skilled caseworker who knows how to rescue and relocate a child or young person from a dangerous condition without being arrested by the police. Services include: rescue youth from pimps, help with medical services, public health insurance, social security/disability benefits, maternity housing, drug program placement, domestic violence housing, transportation, mental health services, advocacy, help with employment, access to education, and more. They also offer virtual GED tutoring and scholarships.

By connecting survivors across the country, through CAST’s Advisory Caucus and National Survivor Network, the organization supports and encourages survivors to realize their own leadership qualities and to value their insight not just as survivors, but as experts in the human trafficking field. The depth of CAST’s work has not only changed the lives of those impacted by human trafficking, but it has positioned CAST as an organization leading the charge to help finally put an end to this epidemic.

CAST is one of the pioneers of the US anti-trafficking movement. The organization was founded by Dr. Kathryn McMahon, the Thai CDC and a group of community activists, in response to the discovery of 72 Thai workers that had been kept for seven years in slavery and debt bondage in Los Angeles County. Led by celebrated human rights activist Kay Buck, CAST’s immeasurable contribution to survivors of human trafficking has been recognized by President Obama, who honored CAST with the Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons in 2014.

GEMS provides preventive and transitional services to young women aged 12-24 years who are at risk for or involved in sexual exploitation and violence. Services: Peer counseling, crisis counseling, groups, housing referrals, vocational assistance, health-care referrals, youth leadership, trainings, and consultation.

The Journey Out Drop-In Center Program offers assistance to individuals seeking a way out of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. They provide survivor-led support groups, case management and referrals, survivor mentorship, peer-to-peer support and counseling, individual therapy and crisis counseling, GED tutoring and preparation, HIV testing and education, medical and vocational referrals, and meeting basic needs by providing food, clothing, hygiene products, and condoms.

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) is a national, toll-free hotline, available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. Through the hotline, you can report a tip, connect with anti-trafficking services in your area, or request training and technical assistance, general information, or specific anti-trafficking resources. Polaris Project’s National Trafficking Hotline can now be accessed by texting INFO or HELP to BeFree (233733).

The Polaris Project is a multicultural grassroots organization combating human trafficking and modern-day slavery. Based in the United States and Japan, they combine street-level experience and technical expertise to provide victim services, conduct advocacy, and build the anti-trafficking movement. Polaris Project’s National Trafficking Hotline can now be accessed by texting INFO or HELP to BeFree (233733), instantly connecting victims to services from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

Shared Hope International strives to prevent the conditions that foster sex trafficking, restore victims of sex slavery, and bring justice to vulnerable women and children. Shared Hope International provides business mentorship, financial support and technical assistance to local organizations around the world to support the development of programs that offer holistic, long-term care to vulnerable and exploited women and children.

HIPS helps people engaged in sex work, sex trade, and drug use to live healthy, self-determined, and self-sufficient lives free from stigma, violence, criminalization or oppression. Utilizing a harm reduction model, HIPS’ programs strive to address the impact that HIV/ AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, discrimination, poverty, violence, and drug use have on the lives of individuals engaging in prostitution.

Paul & Lisa, Inc. is aimed at solving the problems of exploited street youth. Components include exploitation prevention, education, information, and a safety strategies’ publication that is available to the public; training for professionals and others concerned with the safety and welfare of children and young adults; street-based outreach; and community-court-related rehabilitation.

Since its creation in 1987, CEOS´s mission has been to protect the welfare of America´s children and communities by enforcing federal criminal statutes relating to the exploitation of children and obscenity. You can find summaries of federal laws about child exploitation, kidnapping, and abuse here.