Haley Epping |
Unions as Trafficking Prevention
What is labor trafficking? Labor trafficking or forced labor is the most prevalent type of human trafficking worldwide. Survivors work in various sectors like manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture, and domestic work. It disproportionately affects people of color, immigrants, low-income people,…
Read More
Haley Epping |
Human Trafficking and the Marijuana Industry
Everyone deserves to be safe in their home and workplace. However, this is not the case for those who are survivors of labor trafficking. Recently, NBC reported on a labor trafficking case on a marijuana farm in Southern California. This…
Read More
Haley Epping |
What to Know About Labor Trafficking
Labor trafficking is the most prevalent form of trafficking. Since labor trafficking is often not highlighted, there are a lot of misconceptions about what it is and who is affected by it. 1. Labor trafficking is glossed over or not…
Read More
Haley Epping |
Intersectionality between Substance Use and Human Trafficking
Written by Noël Crowley Substance use and human trafficking The intersection between substance use and human trafficking is not a new phenomenon. It is widely accepted that substance use is a vulnerability factor that may leave individuals more susceptible to…
Read More
Haley Epping |
Supporting LGBTQ+ Survivors
How to support LGBTQ+ youth trafficking survivors? LGBTQ+ youth are disproportionately vulnerable to trafficking due to homophobia and transphobia. Many LGBTQ+ youth grow up in unsupportive households, which can cause a traumatic upbringing. Some youth are kicked out of their…
Read More
Haley Epping |
Transphobia and Human Trafficking
When we talk about the fundamental causes of trafficking, we often focus on how people’s identities can make them vulnerable. However, we must make it clear that their identity does not make them inherently more susceptible to trafficking. Instead, the…
Read More
Haley Epping |
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…
Read More
Haley Epping |
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…
Read More
Haley Epping |
Impact of Arrest and Conviction Histories on Trafficking Survivors
Written by K.B. White Human trafficking survivors are often arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for crimes that their traffickers forced them to commit. As a result, survivors are marked by criminal records that create barriers to housing, employment, education, and even…
Read More
Haley Epping |
Interview with Mariah Grant about Decriminalizing Sex Work
Answers by Mariah Grant, Director of Research and Advocacy at The Sex Workers Project of the Urban Justice Center How do you think the US government can best assist sex workers? I would first emphasize that people who do sex…
Read More
Haley Epping |
Trafficking in Rural America
Rural Areas Create Vulnerabilities Rural areas are known for having fewer people and a thick country landscape. While envisioning a rural community, human trafficking may not come to mind for most. However, many factors present vulnerabilities for trafficking survivors in…
Read More
Haley Epping |
Every Survivor Counts: Interview with Yuri Guerrero
The following is an interview with one of our members Yuri Guerrero who is a survivor of labor trafficking and has been a survivor advocate for over 3 years. Why did you choose to get involved in the anti-trafficking movement?…
Read More
Haley Epping |
Climate Change Harms Indigenous Communities.
This Earth Day, we reflect on how both human trafficking and environmental racism harm Indigenous communities, specifically women. We can see this intersection clearly in oil pipeline construction, such as Line 3, which is currently being built in Minnesota on…
Read More
Haley Epping |
Chauvin’s Conviction is Not Justice.
A note from our Executive Director: Justice for George Floyd is not found in a conviction. We knew that the outcome, no matter what would be painful. It is, at least, an acknowledgment of the terrible harm committed against…
Read More
Haley Epping |
Anti-Racism Work is Essential in the Anti-Trafficking Movement
A special thank you to Jatnna Gomez from the University of Maryland SAFE Center for her input. For Freedom Network USA, Black History Month is a time to celebrate Black Excellence and continue focusing on how the anti-trafficking field can…
Read More
Haley Epping |
Interview with Kate Mogulescu About Landmark Decision
The following is an interview with one of our members Kate Mogulescu who was involved in a landmark decision to free a human trafficking survivor under a new New York State Law. *Thank you to Patrice Smith for giving us…
Read More
Haley Epping |
FNUSA Starts Emergency Survivor Relief Fund
In May 2020, Freedom Network USA (FNUSA) established a fund to help human trafficking survivors in the time of COVID. The FNUSA Human Trafficking Survivor Relief Fund provides emergency financial assistance to survivors who have been negatively impacted by…
Read More
Haley Epping |
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…
Read More
Haley Epping |
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…
Read More
Haley Epping |
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…