U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking Announces Partnership with Shared Hope International

Shared Hope International financially partners with national anti-trafficking organization to assist in funding Boys Safe Home program

TAMPA, Fl. July 22, 2019 – The U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking (USIAHT) today announced its financial partnership with Shared Hope International, which has committed to assist in funding the Boys Safe Home program for the upcoming year.

The issue of children being trafficked in America is far too prevalent, and 36% of trafficked victims are boys, according to a study funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. As USIAHT became aware of the significant number of boys being trafficked, they also recognized that there were no boys safe homes in the entire nation offering specialized trauma-based care to these young survivors. As a result, USIAHT opened the first boys safe home in the country, located in central Florida. The safe home is dedicated to kids under the age of 18, born biologically male, no matter where they identify on the gender spectrum. These kids are part of an underserved population of sex trafficking survivors.

“Shared Hope invests in partners that are doing innovative restoration work, and we are so pleased to partner with an organization that truly cares about investing in and caring for the boys we serve,” said Geoff Rogers, CEO and co-founder of the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking. “This new funding will help us provide the greatest level of care possible.”

Shared Hope International is an international anti-trafficking organization focusing on prevention, restoration and justice for victims of sex trafficking. Shared Hope and the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking are part of a worldwide effort to prevent and end sex trafficking.

“We are thrilled to partner with the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking through an investment in the Boys Safe Home program,” said Linda Smith, founder and president of Shared Hope International. “To eradicate sex trafficking, we have to work together. The fight against sex trafficking takes a whole team.”

With continued growth of the Boys Safe Home, USIAHT plans to open other safe homes for boys around the country. These safe homes provide a place of healing for survivors of sex trafficking. The home provides meals, a loving environment, tutoring, social skills and engaging activities that promote growth and good health.

To learn more about USIAHT and its work to end sex trafficking in the United States, please visit: https://usiaht.org.

About USIAHT

The U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking (USIAHT) is a faith-based nonprofit organization fighting human trafficking in America. We work to prevent trafficking by combating demand in new and innovative ways, raising awareness, influencing policy, educating our youth and disrupting trafficking activities. We seek to rescue and rehabilitate victims by collaborating with organizations that are expert at rescuing abducted youth currently engaged in the sex trade. We also collaborate with federal, state and local government officials. With offices in Tampa, Washington D.C., Austin Las Vegas and Los Angeles we are addressing the national problem and also providing on-the-ground services. To learn more, go to https://usiaht.org.

About Shared Hope

Shared Hope International is an anti-trafficking organization focusing on prevention, restoration and justice for victims of sex trafficking. Founded in 1998 by Congresswoman Linda Smith, Shared Hope is a trusted leader for training, research, restorative development, and legislative development.