Isiejah Allen |
Supporting Online Safety Policies that Protect Everyone
As the reach of the internet has grown significantly in the last 30 years, the safety of children using online platforms has become an increasing priority. There are real concerns about the risk of bullying, harassment, hate speech, disinformation, and…
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Freedom Network Community |
Human Trafficking Awareness Month 2022
Buy a T-shirt! In order to spread awareness and support our work during Human Trafficking Awareness Month you can purchase a t-shirt here! #TruthAboutTrafficking on Social Media Follow our social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook) this month as we…
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Freedom Network Community |
The Intersection of Forced Marriage and Human Trafficking
Written by Terri Waldron While human trafficking and forced marriage are distinguishably different human rights violations, there can be similarities in the experiences for survivors of these crimes. The vulnerabilities that leave individuals susceptible to human trafficking are often the…
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Melinda Smith |
Freedom Network USA (FNUSA) Responds to COVID-19: Recommendations for Funders and Congress
Human trafficking is in part, a financial crime. Survivors often exit the trafficking situation with debt, not financial resources, interrupted education, little documented employment history, little or negative credit history, and criminal records as a result of their victimization. Survivors…
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Melinda Smith |
Womankind: Impacts of Criminalization and Advocacy at Work
A conversation with Aya Tasaki from Womankind, Freedom Network USA member. Tell us about the anti-trafficking work that Womankind does? Womankind supports survivors of human trafficking through our anti-trafficking program, Project Free, in addition to supporting survivors of domestic…
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Jean Bruggeman |
FNUSA Opposes Spending Bill That Sacrifices Trafficked Minors
The spending bill released Monday night includes cruel new limitations on access to protection that would block most foreign national human trafficking victims from protection, especially those trafficked by gangs or fleeing forced gang involvement. Freedom Network USA, the nation’s…
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Jean Bruggeman |
Freedom Network USA Leads Broad-based Effort to Protect Legal Representation for Trafficking Survivors
Safety. Freedom. Dignity. Freedom Network USA is dedicated to ensuring that all workers have access to these basic human rights, and that when these rights are violated, survivors access the full-range of services they need to heal. But right now,…
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Melinda Smith |
Freedom Network USA Supports Visa Transparency Legislation To Combat Human Trafficking
Each year, a half a million low-wage guest workers enter the U.S. on a myriad of temporary work visas. Many of these guest workers are at the mercy of a single employer for both their job and their legal status…
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Freedom Network Community |
Barriers to Housing
Imagine you are trying to move out of temporary housing and into an apartment of your own with your two children. You submitted 15 applications to various listings, and all have denied you. You have a stable job, an excellent…
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Freedom Network Community |
Increased Obstacles to Find Employment
Imagine you are in desperate need of a job to continue paying your bills. You have interviewed for over 20 promising jobs, but you can’t pass the background check because you have a felony drug conviction. This conviction is the…
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Freedom Network Community |
Restricted from Participating in the Community
Imagine that it is the annual zoo field trip at your son’s elementary school. You are very excited to chaperone your first event and spend extra time with your son. You reach out to the school to sign up to…
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Melinda Smith |
Important Survey on Human Trafficking and the Administration’s Policies
As the current administration reshapes the government budget and immigration enforcement policy in this country, we are interested to understand the impact of these efforts on human trafficking survivors in your communities. As front line advocates and direct service providers,…
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Melinda Smith |
Reauthorize, Don’t Gut, the TVPA
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) established the US as a world leader in the fight against human trafficking, using a comprehensive approach that includes prosecution, protection, and prevention. This framework strives to ensure that survivors are identified…
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Jean Bruggeman |
CARE Act a Key Step in Preventing Child Labor Trafficking
On the World Day Against Child Labor, countries across the globe stand up for the rights and well-being of young people. While the United States has taken steps to protect the health and safety of young people working in a…
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Melinda Smith |
UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking Releases Report on Combating Trafficking US
Today, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking Maria Grazia Giammarinaro is presenting her final country report of recommendations for the US government on how to combat trafficking in persons. These recommendations centralize the knowledge gathered from experts around…
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Melinda Smith |
Freedom Network USA Supports the Reauthorization of the TVPA
Yesterday, S. 1311, the Abolish Human Trafficking Act of 2017, was introduced in the Senate by original co-sponsors Cornyn, Klobuchar, Grassley, Feinstein, Corker, Brown, Heller, Wyden, Rubio, Coons and Hatch. Today, Senators Grassley, Feinstein, Cornyn, Klobuchar, Corker and…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Hosts House Briefing on Preventing Human Trafficking and Supporting Survivors
BRIEFING: Preventing Human Trafficking and Supporting Survivors Tuesday, April 4 12:00- 1:00 pm Cannon House Office Building Room 421 Human trafficking is fueled by root causes including poverty, discrimination, weak worker protections and restrictive immigration policies. Effective prevention efforts must…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Co-Sponsor House Briefing on Immigrant Victims and Public Safety
Freedom Network USA will co-sponsor a congressional briefing this Friday, March 17, 2017. Executive Director, Jean Bruggeman will sit on the panel and speak to the negative implications that new policy developments and increased enforcement may have on immigrant survivors of human…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Submits Comments to Protect Immigration Relief for Foreign-Born Survivors
Freedom Network USA submitted comments to the Department of Homeland Security regarding the “T” nonimmigrant status last week. These regulations determine whether survivors of human trafficking are eligible for a T Visa, which is the primary avenue of immigration relief…
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Melinda Smith |
FNUSA Highlights Labor and Spending for 2017 Trafficking In Persons Report
Every summer the Department of State releases its Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP), the primary tool used to engage foreign governments on the issue of human trafficking. The report ranks countries on a three-tier system based on their dedication to eradicating…