We've partnered with MKE Moms Blog over the last few months to bring human trafficking awareness resources to parents in our area. 

End It MKE Tee Campaign 
Read the entire post here: #EndItMKE Shirt :: Fighting for Freedom in Milwaukee 

The fight for freedom has come to our doorstep. Fighters across the globe and in our own backyard are shining a light on slavery and taking a stand. Education is being provided, questions are being answered and the word is out that parents can and must be involved. Through the sale and wearing of this #EndItMKE shirt, we are taking a purposeful step in saying that sex trafficking will no longer be tolerated in our communities. We, the citizens of Milwaukee, are standing up to say...
...NOT IN OUR CITY. NOT TO OUR KIDS. NOT ON OUR WATCH.  

Check out all of the posts here: 
June 2017 Human Trafficking 101 in Milwaukee 
July 2017 How Intentional Parenting Can Help Prevent Human Trafficking 
September 2017 The Red Flags of Human Trafficking :: Keeping Your Student Safe 
October 2017 Equipping Your Student to be a Champion for Freedom 

Although our posts are specific to Milwaukee, the majority of the information is applicable to parents and cities across the States. If you aren't located in Milwaukee, check out the links anyway; they are packed with some great resources for parents, educators, and anyone working with youth. 

“Go big or go home.” Have you heard that phrase before? Or maybe you’ve heard this one, “Give it your all.” These sayings are usually meant to encourage someone to do something big and grand. The things that are big and grand can be appealing. Appealing because it may seem fun and exciting, it might feel good to our ego, or because the success of “going big” can be a nice pat on the back.
 
There is nothing wrong with doing seemingly big things, but big things aren’t the only thing that is needed. There is tremendous value in the small things.
 
After serving on the Advisory Board and Board of Directors, I started in my role as Executive Director in September 2016. Thus far, one of my greatest joys is being able to meet the individuals, businesses, church leaders, and foundations that support us. I’m thrilled to meet our supporters face-to-face, get to know each other, and share a few laughs. Many of these supporters give financially, and come to events (which is fantastic!), yet express a desire to do more. During these meetings, people often ask me, “What can I do?” or say, “I want to do more but I’m not sure what I can do.”
 
Have you had similar thoughts?
 
Maybe you support us financially and come to our events, but you want to do more. However, doing more doesn’t mean that you have to, “Go big, or Go home.” There are many small things that people can do! Such as, “Like” our Facebook page, share our email updates with a friend, tell colleagues about ENM, and encourage family, friends, and, colleagues to support ENM and take what they know about human trafficking to educate others.
 
Fruitful connections have been made as a result of individuals utilizing the small things that they can do.
 
In the society we live in, it can be hard for us to value the small things because what is big and visible usually holds higher value. However, that doesn’t matter to God. God can take the little that we have and do something great with it! Remember the boy with the little fish dinner? In John 6, when Jesus fed the five thousand, it was because of the five small barley loaves of bread and two small fish from the boy. When the small meal was given to Jesus, Jesus made great use out of it. What seemed small still made an impact and fed 5,000. If that small meal wasn’t valued by Jesus, then thousands of people would have gone without food.
 
Who isn’t being helped because we don’t value the small things?
 
How can we grow to value the small things? Growing in valuing the small things comes with knowing that God will honor our willingness to utilize what we have. This starts by placing our faith in God to do big things, rather than in our own ability. Let me say that again. We can value the small things when we place our faith in God’s ability to utilize what we have to do big things, rather than trusting more in our ability.
 
Going big is great! As you get to know me, you will learn that I’m a big thinker and doer. However, as we go big and give it our all, we must be careful not to trust more in our own ability than we do in God’s.

What is your fish dinner? Yours may look different than mine, but both have value. Maybe I have two fish and you have ten. Nevertheless, just like the boy, we all have a fish dinner that God can use, so let’s use it and make our community and our world a better place

In Southeastern Wisconsin, news stories of creepy guys asking odd and invasive questions to women and kids have been in the news and on social media a lot more lately, along with stories of attempted abductions. Thankfully in most of the situations, no one was harmed. These articles have been portrayed as possible attempts to abduct someone for human trafficking. Yes, abductions happen for multiple reasons, including human trafficking. However, in Southeast Wisconsin and throughout the United States, abduction isn’t the common way that someone is forced into selling their body.

Individuals are typically forced into selling their body by someone that they know. I know it is hard to believe but it’s true. A woman or young girl is often pursed by someone within their family or someone they may enter into a romantic relationship or friendship with. In this relationship, the perpetrator works to gain trust and find vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities can include lack of basic needs (food, clothing, shelter), the need to make more money, lack of love, lack of a father’s love and engagement in their life, insecurities, promised a job, and the list goes on.
​
While the recent stories of attempted abductions and creepy guys asking weird and invasive questions is alarming, it is important to not miss out on how human trafficking victims are usually groomed and tricked. I have taught personal defense classes for over 4 years to thousands of people, so please be aware and stay vigilant however, don’t let what is shocking cause for us to miss out on the subtle tactics most traffickers use. 

​For more information: 
Psychology Today - Human Trafficking: Psychology of Recruitment 

Written by: Annie Olson | Freedom Fighter

Of the 27 million people living in slavery today, its estimated that only one percent will be rescued. Our fight against modern-day slavery must begin with prayer.

Here are 10 key things you can be praying for this coming year:

For misconceptions about human trafficking to be changed
It is often times assumed that slavery only takes place in foreign countries, when in reality it is also occurring in our own backyard. It is also assumed that every victim is in physical bondage. As a result of these misconceptions and others, countless victims go unrecognized.

For prevention
Human trafficking has been defined as “the exploitation of vulnerability”. These vulnerabilities come in many forms- whether it be age, the desire to be accepted, a drug addiction, or a lack of basic resources. When these areas are protected, the risk of being trafficking decreases significantly.

For the legal system
Currently, only 1% of traffickers face any sentence for their crimes. At the same time, sex trafficking victims face incarceration for prostitution. Though our laws have come a long way in protecting survivors, there is still a desperate need for policy change.

For Unity of the Church
While it is important to include the government in the fight, the greatest force should be the Church. Though the impact of one church is limited, the efforts of all will bring about change.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13

For Restoration
When a person escapes trafficking, they carry many wounds. Beyond just the physical abuse, the manipulation often leaves feelings of distrust, a lack of self-worth, and bitterness in its wake. The healing one must go through is dependent not just upon the spiritual restoration, but the physical and mental as well. Through both faith-based and natural methods, survivors can be restored to the calling God has for their life.

For the families of trafficking victims
Often times, survivors of human trafficking come from broken homes. Reconnecting with one’s family, even a loving one, can be a challenge. Pray for family ties to be strengthened, for parents to be guided in the healing process, and for healthy relationships to replace unhealthy ones. For those without a family, pray for other individuals to step into that role.

For Exploit No More’s Work
This year, ENM will be opening the first survivor home for girls in Milwaukee. We greatly appreciate your prayers for resources, that we are able to proceed in a timely manner, and for the girls we will be serving.

For those who fuel the industry
As hard as it can be, we need to recognize that the johns, the pimps, the traffickers, and the pornography industry all need our prayers too. When the demand stops, the selling stops.

For knowledge, understanding, and awareness of human trafficking to spread
Every thirty seconds, another person is sold into slavery. We want awareness to spread faster than people are bought. Pray that words are given to convey the truth, for conversations to be opened, and for people to seek answers for themselves.

For how you can be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Each one of us has specific talents and circumstances that can be used in the fight against trafficking. Whether its educating your classroom on human trafficking, making a financial commitment, or creating legal change, we all have a role.

“Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:6