A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, COURTNEY ALBERT
Happy Fall! What a wonderful and colorful time of year. We have had another productive and positive quarter filled with survivor support, awareness events, and impactful training. One of the topics we often train on is the importance of survivor support and what that looks like at each stage of recovery and healing, from immediate to short-term and longer-term needs. It is exciting when we witness, first hand, the confirmation that when we listen well to survivors’ needs, reduce barriers, and help survivors gain access to resources, positive outcomes occur. This quarter, we witnessed the success of our decision to extend a housing stay for a client in need well beyond our typical 24-72 hour period. The stability of this longer-term housing has led to extremely positive outcomes for this client. It also reinforces the need for safe, stable housing for survivors.
RAPID RESPONSE SUPPORT SYSTEM (RRSS)
Our RRSS made a pivot again for a client this past quarter. Due to a lack of any other viable options, specifically related to barriers to accessing housing, we made the decision to extend the amount of time (for this case, even longer) the client stayed in our RRSS. This client’s services program was coordinated in partnership with our Vermont Human Trafficking Case Manager Coordinator. Knowing the importance of stability in victim/ survivor recovery, we felt this was necessary. We are excited to see the outcomes of our decision with the survivor doing extremely well and on a positive path in her healing journey. This client has been able to maintain their work and engagement with other wrap-around services, remain out of the trafficking situation, and has created a long-term plan. During this quarter, we also had an additional client who was a victim of both sex trafficking and forced criminality. Thus far, for 2024, we have been privileged to assist nine survivors.
TRAININGS & AWARENESS
2024 Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Public Safety Symposium, in Albany, NY
On September 18th, Founder & President Courtney Albert partnered with David Ryan, Chief (Ret.) & Head of the Westchester County Taskforce, to facilitate an impactful training “When Crimes Converge: At the Intersection of Human Trafficking and Intimate Partner Violence” at the DCJS Symposium. The training highlighted that intimate partner violence and human trafficking are crimes and human rights violations that need collaborative responses from law enforcement and advocacy. Courtney and David shared their expertise, long-standing dedication, and first-hand knowledge. They outlined the fundamentals of these overlapping crimes, underscoring the importance of law enforcement, advocating partnering at the earliest stages, and spotlighting how to serve victims/survivors effectively, compassionately, and holistically. Participants also heard a first-hand account and message to law enforcement from a survivor of intimate partner violence and human trafficking.
Art Hop & the Red Sand Project
At our second showing at the Burlington, Vermont South End Art Hop, we tabled in the main area (thanks Amalgamated Culture Works!) on human trafficking and exploitation and hundreds of people participated in the Red Sand Project art installation. A beautiful quilt was designed, created, and donated by Donna Johnson and was raffled off which gave us a fundraising boost. Many thanks also to our former intern Ali Silva and ally Faith Yacubian, who both volunteered at the table with Edith.
Partnership with Freedom Insight (formerly Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition)
For World Day Against Trafficking, on July 30th, we did two one-hour awareness sessions for SSi. This sector of business leaders is important because they help ensure airports’ personnel get all the information needed to safely and efficiently manage anti-trafficking efforts in their work setting. Our sessions were available to their clients, who are airport leadership staff and law enforcement. In addition we prepared for an upcoming conference in San Antonio for ALEAN (Airport Law Enforcement Agencies Network) where we will again speak of the importance of airport personnel being trained and informed on reporting protocols, as well as appropriate and effective traveler facing and personnel signage.
Thank you for keeping current with our anti-trafficking work and for supporting Give Way to Freedom! Please consider a donation—click here.
If you suspect human trafficking, think you are in a human trafficking situation or want to know more about community and survivor resources in your area, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text BEFREE anytime, day or night.