Blog

Follow us here to stay up to date on human trafficking policy, hear about training opportunities and events, and learn more about what’s happening in the anti-trafficking field.

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Susan French: Pursuing Victim-Centered Prosecutions to help Human Trafficking Survivors

With a successful career dedicated to ending human trafficking, Susan French is an advocate for strategic victim-centered prosecutions. French is a human trafficking civil attorney and expert, formerly a federal prosecutor for 14 years with the U.S. Department of Justice…

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Freedom Network USA to host Webinar Series on Trauma-Informed Case Management

The Freedom Network USA is offering a practical 4-part training and technical assistance series to case managers and social workers working with trafficking survivors. The series will provide an overview of trauma-informed care and explore areas for implementation throughout the…

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My Sisters’ Place: Combating Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking

Through its direct counseling services and promotion of social change and community education, My Sisters’ Place (MSP) is a leading advocate for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in Westchester County, New York. In 1976, the organization formed around…

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A Closer Look: Amnesty International’s Policy on Decriminalizing Consensual Sex Work

As first discussed in May, global human rights organization Amnesty International has released a policy in response to the high rates of human rights abuses experienced globally by sex workers. Based on two years of in-depth research, the policy calls…

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FN submits feedback for 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report

Every January the Department of State requests feedback from stakeholders in the anti-trafficking field to prepare its annual Trafficking in Persons Report. As a coalition of direct-service providers, Freedom Network USA members are uniquely situated to advocate for policies that…

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Freedom Network USA supports Amnesty International’s call to Decriminalize Sex Work

Freedom Network USA released a statement today in support of Amnesty International’s recent call on states to develop policies to decriminalize consensual sex work. The Freedom Network USA believes that decriminalization would protect the rights and safety of all sex…

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Freedom Network USA releases Member Report

The Freedom Network USA released their 2016 Member Report earlier this month in conjunction the 14th Annual Freedom Network USA Conference in Chicago. The report documents services provided to human trafficking survivors across the United States by our organizational members…

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FN publishes Op-Ed on changes to guest worker program

FN Executive Director, Jean Bruggeman and Board Member, Dan Werner (SPLC) wrote an opinion piece that ran on The Hill’s website this week. They argue that Congress should reject the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act (S. 2225) rider…

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FN Submits Amicus Brief in Support of Trafficking Survivors

The Freedom Network with pro bono counsel Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., recently submitted an amicus brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in the Adhikari v. Kellog Brown & Root, Inc. (KBR) case. We urge the Court…

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Food for Thought from FN Policy Co-Chair; Gonzalo Martinez de Vedia

Beyond the Chains: Tuning Into the Full Spectrum of Human Trafficking A pair of shackled hands. A body branded with a bar code. A woman behind bars. These are the images I have to walk audiences back from at every…

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FN Responds to National Johns Suppression Initiative

The Freedom Network (FN) released a response today to raise concerns about the National Johns Suppression Initiative.The two-month law enforcement led operation targeted individuals promoting or purchasing sexual services across the country, resulting in almost 1,000 arrests across 18 states.…

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The Freedom Network USA Welcomes Jean Bruggeman as Director, Strengthening the Coalition Combating Human Trafficking

The Freedom Network is pleased to introduce Jean Bruggeman as its first Director. Ms. Bruggeman’s deep and multifaceted experience within the anti-trafficking field is an ideal match for the human rights-based coalition of legal and social service providers that comprises…

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FN Response to Amnesty International’s Policy Decision on the Sex Industry

The Freedom Network released an official response today on Amnesty International’s recent policy decision to support decriminalization of the sex industry. FN commends Amnesty International for upholding the values of human rights, self-determination, and empowerment with this decision. Read the full…

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Freedom Network Responds to TVAP FOA.

As one of the nation’s first federally funded grants to support direct services to survivors of human trafficking, the Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP) program has assisted thousands of foreign-born survivors across the country. On June 19th, the Office of…

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FN Co-Chair Amy Fleischauer attends DHS’s Blue Campaign Anniversary Event

Freedom Network co-chair Amy Fleischauer recently attended the Blue Campaign’s 5th anniversary event, strengthening the partnerships between government and law enforcement, private and public organizations. The Blue Campaign is presented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in efforts…

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News Flash: Freedom Network Member CIW Featured on CBS News

Freedom Network member The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and their Fair Food Program on CBS news on Sunday! Watch the segment below, and connect with the CIW on Facebook and Twitter to spread the word!   About the The Coalition…

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FN Members on CNN: Advocating for FORTE Act

Labor trafficking is finally getting media coverage, as a recent New York Times exposé on labor trafficking in New York City nail salons outed illegal practices taking place in majority within the industry. Freedom Network members Griselda Vega and Shandra…

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FN Member Spotlight: Opening Doors

Freedom Network is excited to introduce new member organization Opening Doors, based in Sacramento, CA. We spoke with Elizabet Medina about the work of the organization and the incredible impact they are having in the Sacramento area. “Our mission is…

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New J/TIP Ambassador Nomination

President Obama announced his intent to nominate several key administrative posts today. The Freedom Network is happy to support Mrs. Susan Coppedge’s nomination for Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, with rank of Ambassador at Large, Department of…

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Indian Guest Workers Win $20 Million in Labor Trafficking Case

More than 200 guest workers from India settled their labor trafficking lawsuits against the Mobile, Alabama–based shipbuilder Signal International, with award of $20 million for their work after Hurricane Katrina. The federal lawsuit alleged that workers were lured to work…

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