By Holly Austin Smith — From her column Speaking Out in the Washington Times Communities

AUSTIN, TX, June 8, 2013 – Brooke Elise Axtell is a writer, activist and performing artist. Brooke talks about how she became invoved in anti-human trafficking advocacy, her own history and her current projects.

Brooke, how did you get involved with anti-human trafficking advocacy/speaking?

After pursuing my own healing path as a survivor of sex-trafficking and witnessing the prevalence of this injustice within the U.S., I felt compelled to speak out and encourage other survivors through their recovery. My passion for social justice compels me to make this oppression visible and address it at the level of both policy and cultural awareness.

My compassion compels me to keep speaking because I know that countless women and children are continuously exploited and subjected to sexual violence for profit.  [Victims] need to know that they are not alone. I was faced with a choice: to allow the shame of sexual exploitation to silence me or transmute my pain into healing power. I am not a victim. I am a warrior for peace.

Are you a member of any networks that you would like to mention?

I am a member of the Truth Forum, a Speaker’s Bureau for Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives, an organization devoted to educating youth about human-trafficking. One of the founders is a direct descendent of Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington. I am honored to be a part of their efforts to engage young people in abolitionist work.

Read the article on the Washington Times website

By Holly Austin Smith — From her column Speaking Out in the Washington Times Communities

CORAL SPRINGS, FL, June 5, 2013 – Justin Wassel, author of the blog, Crossover at Eagles Point is an anti-human trafficking abolitionist. Today he spoke with us about his philosophy and his mission.

Justin, what would you say is your personal mission statement?

To pour the love and grace of God into the garden of every heart, and defend and protect those who are vulnerable and exploited in any way.

How did you get involved with anti-human trafficking advocacy? 

Many years ago, I first heard of trafficking in third world countries. But a few years ago through a church leadership email, I saw an advertised need of a street outreach van driver for a local organization. I thought it was a wonderful idea, but little did I know it was an anti-trafficking organization. I quickly found that not only was trafficking very pervasive in the US, but it was in my city, and there were several local organizations fighting it. God immediately vice-gripped my heart and I have been studying and involving myself in every front of abolition that I can since. It’s something that I can’t help but keep centric to any ministry and effort I will ever be a part of going forward.

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By Holly Austin Smith — From her column Speaking Out in the Washington Times Communities

ATLANTA,  May 28, 2013 — Building working relationships with other advocates and organizations is important in any field of advocacy, including anti-human trafficking.  Listening to and learning from others increases personal growth and perspective.  Several advocates and organizations have shared their ideas, efforts, and achievements.  Readers are encouraged to reach out to interviewees in order to learn more about their philosophies, goals, and strategies.

This week’s featured advocate is Mary Frances Bowley, CEO and Founder of Wellspring Living in Atlanta, GA.  Mary is a founding member of the Governor’s Task Force for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) and was appointed to the Governor’s Commission on Domestic Violence in 2010. Recently, Mary has been asked to be a part of the White House Blue Campaign fighting the domestic issue of sex trafficking nationally.

Mary, what would you say is your personal mission statement?

To walk alongside survivors and those who care for survivors through a holistic, relationship-driven approach that meets each one’s individual needs.

How did you get involved with anti-human trafficking advocacy?  Did your faith play a role?

I began to work alongside many women 12 years ago seeking a way to help desperate women.  I didn’t realize at the time that the first girl we served was a trafficked victim.  Our heart was to bring hope to the hopeless in a professional and personal way.  Faith is a huge part of my life.  The way we serve is out of our faith and belief that there is HOPE in the midst of this horrific issue.  The way we serve is based on “sensitive faith.”  In other words, we serve everyone; through actions of faith, with few words, and with the understanding that faith is a highly personal choice.

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By Holly Austin Smith — From her column Speaking Out in the Washington Times Communities

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, May 20, 2013 ─ Many believe that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exclusively affects war veterans. However, Licensed Master Social Worker Margaret Howard dispels this myth. In an interview earlier this month, Margaret explained how PTSD can affect survivors of human trafficking and sexual crimes. Since many are not familiar with the signs and symptoms of this disorder, Howard has agreed to continue the conversation with questions from survivors.

Can I have PTSD and not know it?  In other words, must a person be debilitated with terrifying flashbacks in order to be diagnosed with PTSD?

Yes, it is very possible to have PTSD and not know it. Flashbacks are only one possible feature of PTSD, and many people with PTSD do not have them. Usually when we think of flashbacks we think of something visual or auditory, like someone seeing or hearing sights and sounds that are of the original traumatizing event or events. However, traumatic re-experiencing probably more often looks or feels like one of these two things: hyperarousal or hypoarousal. Hyperarousal is an out-of-proportion emotional response to either something that is currently happening or an environmental cue associated with something that happened in the past. Hypoarousal is an emotional response that looks more like a person getting really quiet, spacing out, getting really tired or sleepy, or “going away,” which is dissociation.

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By Holly Austin Smith — From her column Speaking Out in the Washington Times Communities

CORAL SPRINGS, FL, May 13, 2013 – Building working relationships with other advocates and organizations is important in any field of advocacy, including anti-human trafficking.  Listening to and learning from others increases personal growth and perspective.  Over the next few weeks, several advocates and organizations will share their ideas, efforts, and achievements.  Readers are encouraged to reach out to interviewees in order to learn more about their philosophies, goals, and strategies.

This week’s featured survivor advocate is Katariina ‘Kat’ Rosenblatt, President & Founder of There Is H.O.P.E. For Me, Inc.

Kat, what would you say is your personal mission statement?

To help set the captives free from slavery. – Isaiah 61:1

How did you get involved with anti-human trafficking advocacy/speaking?

Overcoming experiences…myself [while] growing up here in South Florida: Once in a hotel on Miami Beach, once in my middle school in Miami, [once in] my apartment bldg.. and finally a false modeling scam. After getting out of an abusive marriage, I started sharing my testimony to girls within juvenile detention centers and public schools: the response was immediate! [Other survivors of abuse and sex trafficking] just started coming forward!

Read the article on the Washington Times website

By Holly Austin Smith — From her column Speaking Out in the Washington Times Communities

PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 7, 2013 – Building working relationships with other advocates and organizations is important in any field of advocacy, including anti-human trafficking.  Listening to and learning from others increases personal growth and perspective.  Over the next few weeks, several advocates and organizations will share their ideas, efforts, and achievements.  Readers are encouraged to reach out to interviewees in order to learn more about their philosophies, goals, and strategies.

This week’s featured Crime Victim Advocate is personal friend and professional ally, Greg Bucceroni. Greg is a powerful advocate for boys and girls at risk for abuse and exploitation. His voice is vital in the fight against child sex trafficking and other forms of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC).

Greg, what would you say is your personal mission statement?

Advocating for victims of crime and at-risk youth.

Read the article on the Washington Times website

By Holly Austin Smith — From her column Speaking Out in the Washington Times Communities

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, May 1, 2013 ─ Many believe that PTSD is a disorder that exclusively affects war veterans; however, professionals like Licensed Master Social Worker, Margaret Howard, have learned that many survivors of human trafficking have undiagnosed PTSD symptoms.  Since many survivors aren’t familiar with the signs and symptoms of this disorder, Margaret Howard, who is also a blogger for the Huffington Post, has agreed to help dispel some of the dynamics associated with PTSD.

Margaret, what is PTSD? 

PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is actually an injury to the nervous system. Some – but not all ─ advocates, researchers, and clinicians think PTSD should be classified as an injury, rather than a disorder, and renamed Post Traumatic Stress Injury, or PTSI. Traumatic injury to the nervous system occurs when a person’s natural “fight or flight” response is blocked or squelched by outside forces, such as being pinned down in a car accident or by an assailant in rape, kidnapping, or other violence. “Fight or flight” is a natural, protective response of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.  These involuntary components operate outside of conscious control and take over when one is caught in overwhelming circumstances. But here’s the thing: If that protective response of “fight or flight” is blocked, then the human organism will go to the next level of emergency response in order to survive. That level can involve freezing, dissociation, or collapse. Of course, going to the next level is good because survival is good. But that level of response comes with a price, and the price can be traumatic injury. That traumatic injury is what we call PTSD.

Read the article on the Washington Times website

By Holly Austin Smith — From her column Speaking Out in the Washington Times Communities

PEORIA, AZ, April 21, 2013 – Building working relationships with other advocates and organizations is important in any field of advocacy, including anti-human trafficking and anti-commercial sexual exploitation.  Listening to and learning from others increases personal growth and perspective.  Over the next few weeks, several advocates and organizations will share their ideas, efforts, and achievements.  Readers are encouraged to reach out to interviewees in order to learn more about their philosophies, goals, and strategies.

This weekend’s interview is with Dina Pratt and Rose Krison of the company, Let Freedom.

Dina, how did your company, Let Freedom, get started?

It was Rose who first learned about human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of our young girls through our church.  She also learned there was a lack of awareness in our state.  She wanted to help, and so she came up with the concept of designing and making jewelry she could sell.  This could both raise awareness and generate revenue to help the cause.

I have been in the jewelry business for over 30 years. Although I left the retail end of it many years ago, I still design custom jewelry for a large clientele following.  I also own an Interior Design business…so, yes, I love designing.  Rose approached me and told me what she wanted to do to help. I agreed and we have spent many months designing the jewelry line and our website, and trying to market to bring awareness to both.

Read the article on the Washington Times website

By Holly Austin Smith — From her column Speaking Out in the Washington Times Communities

ATLANTA, GA, April 17, 2013 – Building working relationships with other advocates and organizations is important in any field of advocacy, including anti-human trafficking.  Listening to and learning from others increases personal growth and perspective. Over the next few weeks, several advocates and organizations will share their ideas, efforts, and achievements. Readers are encouraged to reach out to them in order to learn more about their philosophies, goals, and strategies.

This week’s featured organization is Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives (formerly Frederick Douglass Family Foundation):

What is your organization’s mission statement?

To stop human trafficking in our communities by educating students and empowering them to take action.

Read the article on the Washington Times website

By Holly Austin Smith — From her column Speaking Out in the Washington Times Communities

RICHMOND, VA, April 13, 2013 – Building working relationships with other advocates and organizations is important in any field of advocacy, including anti-human trafficking.  Listening to and learning from others increases personal growth and perspective.

Over the next few weeks, several advocates and organizations will share their ideas, efforts, and achievements.  Readers are encouraged to reach out to interviewees in order to learn more about their philosophies, goals, and strategies.

How did you get involved with anti-human trafficking advocacy/speaking?

When I was 21-years-old I began speaking out to save my life and to help others who were being hurt in prostitution and pornography. The first time I spoke publicly was in the 90s at a ‘Take Back the Night’ rally in Madison, Wisconsin. I had just begun to deal with being used in prostitution and pornography as a girl and teenager.

I was very poor. I had no one to turn to, and I was afraid that some of the family members who had used me would do something to me. My experiences were that the audience, mostly women and mostly feminist, did not want to deal with the issue.

Read the article on the Washington Times website