How I Started My Abolitionist Journey

On February 11, 2010, my wife came across the Love146.org website and we started looking through it together. We were awestruck to learn that slavery is still rampant worldwide, even in the United States. I started digging through their website for more information and I came across a video titled, "Imagine." This video didn't just grab me, it shook me. This was my call to action and I knew I had to join the fight.

Imagine from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

TURNING POINT

This video was the turning point in my life where I became an abolitionist. I have three beautiful little girls and a little boy. This video kept me up through the night thinking of my own children and the suffering of child slaves around the world. I thought, "If only I could free these kids and adopt them as my own. Give them the protection and love all children deserve."

I thought of early abolitionists, the civil rights movement and horrid events such as the holocaust. How many people stood by while these atrocities occurred? A better question, how many stood up to defend the rights of themselves and others?

Will I stand by or stand up?
What will you do?

The first step to ending slavery worldwide is awareness. Until a few weeks ago, I was not aware that there are 27 million slaves worldwide. That's more slaves than any time in history, including the transatlantic slave trade. If I, an "educated" college graduate, business professional, youth church leader and father of five was not aware of the magnitude of modern slavery, then there must be thousands of others out there just like me that need to know.

OPERATION BLACK VEIL - 17 Young Girls Saved and 4 Traffickers Arrested

Today in India, 17 young girls were saved, 13 of which were rescued from a hidden chamber. 4 traffickers were also arrested as part of Operation Black Veil. 



TYou can learn more about the work Operation Underground Railroad is doing and how you can help at https://ourrescue.org/

Cuatro Corridos Opera Addresses Sex Trafficking Along the Border

Cuatro Corridos is a chamber opera addressing one the critical human rights issues of human trafficking. Based on true events, it tells the story of women trapped in a cycle of prostitution and slavery in and around the San Diego/Tijuana border.

The opera is coming to Dallas on October 4th ,8pm, at the Nasher Sculpture Center.

Led by Grammy Award winning soprano Susan Narucki and noted Mexican author Jorge Volpi, the fully-staged production features original music by composers Hilda Paredes, Arlene Sierra, Lei Liang and Hebert Vázquez. Each composer gives voice to one of the four female characters by presenting one act in the hour-long drama.  

Cuatro Corridos - Trailer from Susan Narucki on Vimeo.

"Music has the power to establish contact between people — real, intimate contact that can cause us to question, to see things differently, to move us to action and to negate fear."

- Susan Narucki

After the performance, a brief post-concert discussion will be held about human trafficking with a panel of experts to answer questions.  Here are some reviews of  Cuatro Corridos from the LA Times other sources.

I am planning attend and I hope you will join me for the event.  

New Song from Musician and Fellow Abolitionist Jess Clayton

LISTEN TO THE SINGLE VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS

On Thursday 18th October, UK Anti-Slavery Day, up and coming musician Jess Clayton released her single ‘Voice for the Voiceless’ to raise awareness of modern day slavery and raise funds for The Treehouse Project.

The single was launched at a concert at Freedom Art Studios in front of a packed audience. The evening included performances from Beka Vyce, Red Letter and Jess Clayton. Proceeds from the concert and single downloads have already raised over £1,000 to help survivors of Human Trafficking.

Anti-Slavery Day was created by Act of Parliament in 2010 to raise awareness of modern slavery and to inspire people to eliminate it.

There are currently estimated to be 27 millions slaves in the world, more than at any other time in history. Modern day slaves are exploited for profit in many ways, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, trafficking and domestic servitude.

Human trafficking and exploitation is a growing problem with the UK recognised as a significant transit and destination country for trafficked women and young people. Many of those trafficked are under 18 years of age.

Jess Clayton is a singer-songwriter who is passionate about writing songs to make an impact.

She studied Commercial Music at Bath Spa University but stopped a year short of the full degree as she wanted to just get out in the world and start trying to make a difference.

In 2011 Jess was offered an internship working at the Trauma Recovery Centre (TRC) in Bath; a charity that offers free play therapy and counselling for children who are facing trauma and crisis. There she met Susie (whose real name shall remain unknown). Susie was 20 years old and had three children. She had been sold by her father into slavery at 13 after which time she suffered extreme abuse and exploitation. Susie finally managed to escape aged 19 years old after being assaulted for a final time and nearly losing her children and her life.

Jess says “I had the privilege of working with Susie and being her friend. Working at the TRC with the Treehouse Project tugged on so many of my heart strings, including the musical ones, I couldn’t help but start writing songs about it. These experiences have left me with a particularly strong determination to bring hope and change into the world through my music.

I recorded my single ‘Voice for the Voiceless’ to raise awareness of Human Trafficking. The song is inspired by my involvement with the TRC and working with survivors of human trafficking like Susie. 100% of all sales from the single will be donated to the TRC’s Treehouse Project which provides an aftercare service in the UK for survivors of Human Trafficking”

The TRC launched The Treehouse Project in February 2012. The project focuses on the rehabilitation of children and young people who have been the victims of human trafficking by providing therapeutic aftercare through counselling, befriending, education and accommodation.

‘Voice for the Voiceless’ can still be downloaded from http://jessclayton.bandcamp.com for a donation of just £1, with all proceeds going to The Treehouse Project.

Finally Jess said “Even if you could just turn 27,000,000 slaves into 26,999,999, isn’t it worth it for that one?”

SOURCE: http://jessclayton.bandcamp.com/

New Book by Roberta Gately, The Bracelet, Explores Human Trafficking

The Bracelet is a new novel that explores the horrors of human trafficking with the aim of bringing awareness to the subject. Here is are links to buy the book.

Buy the Hardcopy

Buy Kindle Version

I also suggest that if you have the time, and the drive, that you request this book at your local library. Most libraries have a place on their website to request books and authors. A great way to help raise awareness and education about human trafficking is to request more books on the topic for your local libraries. Here is a list of some books I have found helpful. http://abolitionistjb.blogspot.com/2011/05/ending-slavery-with-books.html

The Bracelet
By Roberta Gately
Published by Gallery Books
November 6, 2012; $15.00 US/ $17.00 CAN; 9781451669121

Description
Newly heartbroken and searching for purpose in her life, Abby Monroe is determined to make her mark as a UN worker in one of the world's most unstable cities: Peshawar, Pakistan. But after witnessing the brutal murder of a woman thrown from a building, she is haunted by the memory of an intricate and sparkling bracelet that adorned the victim's wrist.

At a local women's shelter, Abby meets former sex slaves who have miraculously escaped their captors. As she gains the girls' trust and documents their horrifying accounts of unspeakable pain and betrayal, she joins forces with a dashing New York Times reporter who believes he can incriminate the shadowy leader of the vicious human trafficking ring. Inspired by the women's remarkable bravery -- and the mysterious reappearance of the bracelet -- the duo traces evidence that spreads from remote villages of South Asia to the most powerful corners of the West, risking their lives to offer a voice to the countless innocents in bondage.

About the Author
Roberta Gately, author of The Bracelet, has served as a nurse and humanitarian aid worker in war zones ranging from Afghanistan to Africa, about which she wrote a series of articles for the BBC World News Online. She is also the author of the novel Lipstick in Afghanistan.

For more information please visit http://robertagately.com, and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter

Reviews
"Roberta Gately uses her experiences working with refugees and traveling in the Middle East to take readers on a thrilling, highly visual trip into the world of human trafficking in Pakistan. The Bracelet is a pleasure from page one, and hard to put down until the very last page."
-- Jennifer Haupt, author of I'll Stand by You: One Woman's Mission to Heal the Children of the World

"Gately is very effective at covering the complexity of human trafficking in a straightforward and easy to read style that just keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next . . . In addition to the great human interest stories within the story, there are enough surprising twists and revelations to make for a captivating and suspenseful read!"
-- Audrey Lawrence, Fresh Fiction

"Gately, a nurse and humanitarian worker, has a keen understanding of conflict zones and human trafficking, and the resultant detail is vibrantly deployed throughout her newest novel (afterLipstick in Afghanistan)." 

-- Publisher's Weekly

"Gately's thought-provoking insights in The Bracelet deliver a clear message of her compassionate view of the subject matter. Gatley has hands-down passed the age-old litmus test of an accomplished writer in that, a writer writes what a writer knows -- without question, Ms. Gately knew her topic and therefore, she wrote a fantastic book. Quill Says: Current topic equals great read!
-- Feathered Quill Book Reviews

Great posts by MSN on Human Trafficking

To see all of the posts, photos and snippets, click here.  There are Q&A's with celebrities and NGO's, videos, quizzes and more.

Below are some of the visual displays that really stood out to me.

This is a preview for the documentary Rape for Profit.
Rape for Profit is a documentary in theaters now about the underage sex slavery problem in Seattle made vivid through interviews with law enforcement and non-profit organizations on the front lines.

SOURCE: http://causes.msn.com/human_trafficking/?section=gallery_3#section=gallery_3

Meet Jaiya

Jiaya never imagined that accepting a job offer would change her life. Shortly after her arrival in Texas, Jiaya was simply glad to have found a job and spent spent several days washing linens.  

However, when her employer learned she did not have any immigration documents, Jiaya was taken to a nearby apartment and stripped of her clothes, given lingerie and told that she would now be working as a prostitute. 

When Jiaya refused, she was beaten severely and deprived of food for several days. She was never allowed out of the small apartment - customers were brought to her. One month after her arrival, a police raid occurred, and Jiaya was identified as a victim of human trafficking.

Jiaya was immediately brought to Mosaic House, where she received food and clothing as well as shelter. Meeting with a case manager that spoke her language as well as Mosaic's attorneys and counselors helped Jiaya gain the confidence she needed to begin building her life anew. Jiaya has now moved out of Mosaic House and has found a job of her own choice.

*Name changed for safety

Jiaya's story of resilience would not be possible without supporters like you. 

Get involved in the fight against human trafficking to help others escape exploitation. Today, January 11, is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Make a commitment today to get involved in the fight against modern day slavery.

Volunteer your time at Mosaic by teaching a class or helping with street outreach, or donate basic necessitiesfor our shelter such as cleaning supplies or hygiene items. 

SOURCE: http://www.mosaicservices.org/

Lisa Kristine: Photos that bear witness to modern slavery

This 20 minute TED Talk, with photographer Lisa Kristine, is a summary of the two years she spent documenting modern slavery around the world.

 

For the past two years, photographer Lisa Kristine has traveled the world, documenting the unbearably harsh realities of modern-day slavery. She shares hauntingly beautiful images -- miners in the Congo, brick layers in Nepal -- illuminating the plight of the 27 million souls enslaved worldwide. (Filmed at TEDxMaui)

SOURCE: http://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_kristine_glimpses_of_modern_day_slavery.html

Child sex abuse: Operation Sunflower Results in 245 Arrests of Predators and Traffickers

The same day this week that Immigration and Customs Enforcement  announced the arrests of 245 people accused of exploiting and abusing children, a tip alerted authorities to arrest one more suspect: a woman in Los Angeles whom law enforcement had identified in photos posted online that allegedly show her sexually molesting a girl thought to be 13 years old. The photos date back to 2001 and were discovered by ICE field agents in Chicago in 2007.

Such is the complex effort that goes into pursuing online sexual predators who rely on computer technology to produce and distribute images of their abuse and are becoming more adept at hiding their identities.

Concentrated over a five-week period in November and early December, Operation Sunflower was a “surge operation” in which agents were encouraged to “really get down and look at who is in those photos,” says Danielle Bennett, a spokeswoman for ICE in Washington. The increased effort resulted in finding 123 victims. Of that total, 44 were found living with their abusers and subsequently were removed from the homes. The others were exploited outside their own homes or are now adults.

Law enforcement officials at the federal, state, and local levels have been turning to what they call “forensic technology” to track and identify both predators and their victims. The effort to focus on minute details of photos or videos and rely on global databases to establish trends or locations has yielded more arrests. The number of child predators arrested by ICE last year totaled 1,655, a record number for the agency and an 81 percent increase from 2010.

In Operation Sunflower, whose results were announced Thursday, the majority of the victims were female, and most victims were between 13 and 15 years old. However, five victims were under the age of 3, and 30 were between 4 and 9 years old.

The majority of suspects were arrested in the United States, but 23 were arrested abroad. The states with the most arrests were California (37), Texas (29), New York (19), Florida (17), and New Mexico (11). States with destination theme parks and family-friendly attractions tend to be targets of predators because they usher through a high volume of children each year.

continue reading...

SOURCE: http://m.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2013/0105/Child-sex-abuse-Operation-Sunflower-highlights-new-efforts-to-get-predators

Congress fails to pass the TVPRA, but we have hope

On Thursday, the 112th Congress ended without passing the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). This law—originally passed in 2000 and reauthorized by Congress unanimously three separate times—is our nation’s foundation for the fight against human trafficking at home and around the world. The bill could have passed at the close of the year through a process called "unanimous consent," (in which representatives signal their support for a bill without a formal vote), but three senators placed anonymous "holds" on the bill, preventing it from moving forward.

We are saddened and disappointed that Congress did not prioritize the needs of those in bondage by passing this critical bill, compromising U.S. leadership in the fight against slavery even as we commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Despite this setback, we are hopeful: Every phone call, email, meeting, letter to the editor, and one-on-one conversation in support of the TVPRA you had last year made a difference. None of your effort was wasted, and we are tremendously grateful for your partnership and friendship in this fight.

Because of the support of people like you, anti-slavery advocates secured nearly 60 Senate co-sponsors on the TVPRA in 2012. During a time when Congress agreed on very little, you communicated that ending slavery is an issue that all Americans can agree on. Though the TVPRA must be reintroduced in the new Congress, your help in building such strong support for the bill last year gives us a strong foundation for 2013. We will work to see the bill passed early in this new year.

Yours in hope,

Eileen Campbell
Director of Advocacy International Justice Mission

For ways you can take action now, visit FreedomCommons.IJM.org.

International Justice Mission Year 2012 Review

The International Justice Mission (IJM) reached some wonderful milestones in the fight against slavery. Here is a quick recap of what they worked to accomplish in 2012.

2012 milestones and shared victories

January 1 – Google joins us in the fight against slavery, and turns up the heat to fund mobilizing advocates in the U.S. and overseas in India.

January 17 – Your Voices Heard: The state legislature in New Jersey passed a crucial piece of legislation that will aid victims of human trafficking. This bill, called a safe harbor law, is an important step forward in the fight against slavery right here in our own country.

January 24 – With the President’s State of the Union address that night, Justice Campaigns advocates around the country begin mobilizing others to  ask the President to make slavery a priority. Goal set: 27,000 signatures (symbolizing the 27 million slaves around the world).

February 29 – We meet our goal of 27,000 signatures for President Obama, but decide to build on this momentum to mobilize even more voices (see a video from Holly).

March 11 – 72 Days for Freedom Campaign launches – Atlanta’s Passion City Church joins Justice Campaigns to turn the 27,000 number upside down and sets a new goal of 72,000 signatures asking President Obama to help end slavery..

April 5 – Your Voices Heard: West Virginia became the 49^th state to pass a criminal law against human trafficking. The bill criminalizes both labor and sex trafficking and authorizes training for law enforcement to help them identify and investigate trafficking cases. Advocates throughout West Virginia had worked hard to lay the groundwork for this bill’s passing, including IJM state advocacy leaders Travis Wirt and Kendra Rogers, who worked to educate their state legislators about the bill and were invited to attend the bill signing.

April 16 – On IJM Justice Campaigns’ annual lobby day, advocates from 40 states around the country joined us to storm the Hill and make our voices heard to Congress. 

April 26 – 72 Days for Freedom is a huge success – and 72,000^th person signs a letter to President Obama.

June 18 - On the same day the U.S. State Department issued the annual Trafficking Persons (TIP) Report, Gary Haugen, IJM’s CEO and President received the abolition movement’s highest honor. The U.S. State Department awarded Gary and nine others its annual anti-trafficking TIP Hero award. Gary also delivers the 73,000 letters to President Obama, along with Louis Giglio of Passion City Church.

June 20 – IJM Justice Campaigns announces Recipe for Change, its first-ever domestic supply chain advocacy campaign to end slavery in Florida’s tomato fields. Celebrity bloggers, food advocates and hundreds of others joined us to spread the word. Nearly 8,000 emails were sent to CEOs from major supermarkets that have not signed onto the Fair Food Program, and more than 3,000 tweets shared our message.

July 17 – Holly Burkhalter, our VP of Government Relations, testifies before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations along with Jada Pinkett Smith and David Abramowitz. As she describes in her letter from Washington, she expresses her excitement for the opportunity she had to speak with one voice collectively about the issues we care about. Meeting the Smiths wasn’t bad, either.

September 1 – Advocates around the country gather around major supermarket chain locations of companies who have not signed onto the Fair Food Program in Recipe for Change’s National Day of Action.

September 25 – Your Voices Heard: A the Clinton Global Initiative conference, the President of the United States delivers a speech that squarely addresses the issue of modern day slavery and includes several new initiatives to combat it. President Obama also issues an Executive Order to address slavery in U.S. government contracts, one of the main priorities identified in the  73,000 letters we delivered.

November 14 - The Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking is formed, co-chaired by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Rob Portman (R-OH). This Caucus will provide a multijurisdictional forum where members can come together to combat human trafficking. Senator Portman's championing in the fight against slavery was emboldened through the advocacy of thousands of Ohioans.

November 27: The U.S. State Department, the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center honors IJM President and CEO Gary Haugen as the second American to receive this year’s TIP Hero award. At the reception, they also unveil the film Journey to Freedom, which includes stories of anti-trafficking victims and heroes—a film played in U.S. Embassies around the globe.

November 29 - Your Voices Heard: The Senate and House pass the End Trafficking in Government Contracting Act, which requires government contractors to take full responsibility for the actions of their subcontractors and recruiters regarding labor trafficking.

As we wrap up this year and look back on these victories from 2012 which we share together, let’s be encouraged about our journey ahead. As Holly puts it, now the hard work begins, but 2012 has shown us better than ever that together we are capable of moving the needle.

We’re so grateful to be in this together with you—thank you for leading the fight to end slavery with us.

Gratefully,

IJM Justice Campaigns

SOURCE: http://freedomcommons.ijm.org/news/national/year-review-our-milestones-fight-against-slavery

Anti-Trafficking NGO Funding from the State Department

This post is more for budding anti-trafficking NGO's looking to raise funds for their organization. I'm sure all of the established anti-trafficking NGO's and most of the new ones already know about  the GTIP's grants. Here is a Q&A about the program, eligibility and other information.

Questions and Answers About the Office To Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons 2013 Request for Statements of Interest (RSOI)

Office To Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

December 18, 2012

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Questions and Answers from the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) webcast to provide information about the Solicitation: Request for Statements of Interest (SOI) from NGOs.

ELIGIBILITY

Q. Who is eligible to apply for funding?
A. U.S.-based non-profit and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foreign NGOs, and institutions of higher education are eligible to submit SOIs under this solicitation. On a limited basis, for-profit organizations are also eligible to submit SOIs; however, they may not take a profit from grant-funded activities.
Public International Organizations (PIOs) are not eligible to apply under this solicitation. Foreign governments are not eligible to apply, although governments may be beneficiaries of funded programs, provided that funding does not pay salaries of government agency personnel and that such assistance is not restricted by U.S. law or policy.
Q. Why are PIOs not eligible to apply?
A. The TIP Office will continue working with its PIO partners and has already identified projects for PIOs outside of what is described in the solicitation.
The TIP Office will send invitation letters to select PIOs based on their demonstrated areas of experience to submit proposals for specific projects in countries identified by the TIP Office. The TIP Office will send these invitations on a rolling basis as funding is available.
Q: How can a for-profit business receive a TIP Office grant?
A: On a very limited basis, the TIP Office has provided grants to for-profit entities. These organizations do not make any profit from the funds provided. The Department of State’s Office of the Procurement Executive must provide additional approval for grants that are awarded to for-profit entities.
Q. Are small businesses, as defined by the USG, eligible to apply?
A. Yes, but as with for-profit organizations, small businesses may not take a profit from grant funds.
Q. Can organizations that currently receive funds from the TIP Office apply for additional funding under this solicitation?
A. Yes, but only for specific activities listed in the bullet points for the countries listed in the solicitation.

LOGISTICS

Q. How much funding does the TIP Office have for FY 2013? 
A. FY 2013 funds have not yet been appropriated by Congress. All awards under this announcement are pending the appropriation of funds.
Q. How much money will be allocated to each region or country?
A. The final amount allocated for each country and region will depend on the quality of the proposals received and on the nature of the proposed activities.
Q. What are the expected funding dates?
A. The TIP Office expects to award grant funds to successful applicants no later than September 30, 2013.
Q. How many full proposals did the TIP Office fund in FY 2012?
A. Last year, the TIP Office received more than 500 applications requesting more than $280 million in assistance – far more than our funding could support. By the end of the FY 2012 competition for funding, we awarded a total of nearly $17.7 million to fund 40 grants. Detailed information about our FY12 awards is available at: http://www.state.gov/j/tip/intprog/index.htm
Q. Where can I find specifics regarding previously funded projects?
A. Applicants are encouraged to look to our website, http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/other/index.htm for information on TIP Office-funded projects for prior years.
Q. Please explain why some countries were not selected for funding consideration.
A. Our foreign assistance priorities and funding decisions are guided by the trends and country-specific recommendations in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report. The 2012 TIP Report is posted on our website at http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2012/index.htm.
The process of selecting countries for funding is very difficult and is done in consultation with other offices within the Department of State. The number of countries selected in the solicitation is restricted due to the limited amount of funding that our office administers. Please note that we will accept SOIs only for countries named in the solicitation.
Q. Can an organization apply to work in more than one country?
A. This solicitation is only for bilateral programs. The TIP Office will only consider proposals for the countries and program areas identified in the solicitation. Each NGO may apply to work in more than one country, but each country is a stand-alone project. In other words, if an NGO anticipates working in three separate countries with three separate projects, the NGO must submit three separate SOIs. Because some trafficking in persons is transnational, it is possible that, for example, a project in Country X may include some contacts with the source country, but the primary project is in Country X.
Q. Is there a limit to the number of SOIs that can be submitted by a single applicant?
A. No, there is no limit. Organizations are permitted to submit multiple applications; however, the Office intends to provide funding to a wide range of qualified, capable organizations that do well in the competitive review. Those who submit multiple applications are reminded to tailor each application to their organization’s particular strengths and country-specific experience.

CONTENT

Q. Can an organization submit a proposal that includes countries not listed in the solicitation?
A. SOIs for projects that are located in or focus on countries not identified in this solicitation or that do not address a priority objective for an identified country will be rejected during the technical review process.
Q. Do I need to submit a complete budget at the time of submitting the SOI?
A. No, only a total amount of funding in U.S. dollars is requested. No budget categories are required or requested for the SOI. If cost share is offered, then a total for cost share should also be provided. All cost figures must be in US dollars.
Q. The award ceiling is $750,000 for this solicitation for 36 months. Does this mean $750,000 each year for up to 3 years? 
A. No, the TIP Office will award projects that total up to $750,000 for the duration of the project. The maximum duration of a project is 36 months. The amount requested and the proposed duration should be consistent with the scope of the project. The average NGO award in FY 12 was less than $500,000.
Q. Does the award ceiling of $750,000 include indirect costs?
A. Yes. All costs requested, including indirect costs, must be included in this amount.
Q. If an applicant proposes a partnership with government, civil society, another NGO or a PIO, does the partnership agreement have to be finalized or in writing at the time of the SOI application?
A. No, partnerships that are referenced in a SOI do not need to be formal or in writing at the time the SOI is submitted. Proposed partnerships should be referenced in the SOIs to ensure that they are considered in the review. The TIP Office encourages SOIs that demonstrate strong partnerships, and in the second stage of competition, SOIs that are selected to submit full proposals are encouraged to submit letters of intent to cooperate.
Q. Can an organization submit a letter of intent? 
A. Please review the solicitation carefully to ensure that your application meets the requirements for a SOI, which may not be the same as a letter of intent. The solicitation provides a detailed description of what needs to be included in the SOI.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Q. What does an application include?
A. To ensure fairness, all applicants will have an equal chance to describe their proposed project. Detailed information on formatting requirements and more can be found in the solicitation. The Application Package must include:
1. Standard Forms 424 and 424B (Completed; Instructions provided)
2. Two-page Statement of Interest (See Content description)

• In English, all in 12 Point font (Times New Roman)
• Amount of funding requested in U.S. dollars. Cost share amount in U.S. Dollars, if it is proposed.
  • No budget categories are requested or required.

Please do not submit additional documents.
Please be sure to specifically designate the country you propose to work in on number 14 of SF 424.
Q. Is there any difference between submitting applications to www.grantsolutions.gov versuswww.grants.gov? Should applicants submit applications to both?
A. Applicants should not submit a SOI to both websites. While we will accept SOIs via either website, our Office encourages applicants to use www.grantsolutions.gov. Applicants should be aware that GrantSolutions requires a DUNS number to submit an application, while Grants.gov requires both a DUNS number and a current CCR registration, which takes approximately 3-5 business days (for U.S. based NGOs) to obtain and must be renewed annually. Regardless of the website used, all applicants are encouraged to initiate applications early in the application development process and to submit completed applications early to allow time to address any technical difficulties that may arise.
Q. What should I do if I encounter difficulty in using the GrantSolutions or Grants.gov websites?
A. For assistance with GrantSolutions.gov please contact Customer Support at help@grantsolutions.gov or 1-800-577-0771 (toll charges for international callers) or 1-202-401-5282. Customer Support is available 8 AM – 6 PM EST, Monday – Friday, except for federal holidays. Please note that December 25, 2012 and January 1, 2013 are federal holidays and the help line will be closed.
For assistance with Grants.gov, please contact the Contact Center at support@grants.gov or call the Contact Center at1-800-518-4726 (toll charges for international callers). The Contact Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays. Please note that December 25, 2012 and January 1, 2013 are federal holidays and the help line will be closed.

COMPETITIVE REVIEW

Q. How does J/TIP decide which proposals to fund? 
A. All SOIs received will first undergo a technical review. Those SOIs which pass the technical review are forwarded to the relevant U.S. Embassy for review and comment. This information is then taken into consideration by a regional interagency review panel composed of experts on human trafficking programming and the relevant region. Panel recommendations are then submitted and reviewed by the Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.
Q. Please clarify the role of U.S. Embassies in the 2013 competitive review process.
A. All U.S. Embassies have been informed of the FY 2013 solicitation and the Embassies in the selected countries have been encouraged to post information about the solicitation on their websites. Embassies will review and comment on proposed projects that meet the technical requirements. Full proposals will be shared with the embassy in the country where the work is proposed to take place.
To preserve the fairness and integrity of the competitive process, please do not contact embassy personnel regarding your application.
Q. How many applicants do you expect to invite to submit a full proposal?
A. We are not certain of the number that will be invited to submit full applications in stage two of the competitive process. The decision will be made after review of the SOIs. However, this is a two-stage competition; Not all applicants selected to submit a full proposal will be selected for funding.
Q. When do you expect to notify applicants if they are requested to submit a full proposal?
A. We expect to notify applicants in the spring that their SOI was selected for the second stage of competition. Applicants will have 30 days from notification to submit a full proposal.
Q. What does the TIP Office require for full proposals?
A. Applicants that are evaluated highly in the first stage of the competitive review (SOI process) will be invited to submit full proposals. At that time, selected applicants will receive additional information about the second stage requirements.
Q. Where can I get additional advice about preparing the SOI or full application?
A. The TIP Office makes every effort to ensure a fair, transparent, competitive grants process. In keeping with this commitment, we cannot advise applicants on the content of their proposals or provide suggestions regarding proposals.
No one from the Office, or any other Department of State office or bureau, including Embassy personnel, is permitted to advise you on the content of your application. Persons with questions about the requirements of the solicitation may contact Chelsea Lord (lordc@state.gov) or Zach Winters (wintersz@state.gov).

The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department.
External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

IJM Celebrates 15 Years of Justice

15 years ago, IJM began in response to one massive problem: poor children and families around the world desperately needed a defender.

Today, because of your partnership, we have thousands of reasons to celebrate -- from girls rescued from brothels, to families freed from slavery; from traffickers and rapists held accountable to justice systems changing to protect the poor.

Over the next 15 years, we are embracing a bold vision to protect millions. Thank you for walking with us -- as we celebrate 15 years of justice, we celebrate this movement of friends and supporters.

SOURCE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9rQ_T8zfKsk

The New IJM Advocacy Handbook

I received the information below in an email from the International Justice Mission. This is a great resource with a free printable PDF of The Advocate's Handbook. It's a wonderful resource for anyone wanting to get involved to help end modern-day slavery.

My favorite section is the Lobbying section with tips and guidelines on how to setup a Lobby Meeting, This includes a sample meeting request form, discussion points, etc... This is something I have not done yet myself, but using this guide I plan to.  What makes this even more effective is using the "report card" follow-up sheet to really learn from the experience and make improvements for future Lobby Meetings.

There are a number of other great ideas and tools, but I also found the "100 Postcard Challenge" to be an intriguing idea. It's on page 45.

Have you seen The Advocate’s Handbook?

We are so grateful for everything you do to advocate on behalf of victims of modern-day slavery, so we wanted to make sure you were equipped with all the tools you need! The Advocate’s Handbook will help you raise your voice and build an advocacy campaign that will help end modern-day slavery.

Get Your Copy of The Advocate’s Handbook »

How to Spot a Victim of Domestic Violence

Health-Care Pro Discusses the Many Warning Signs

In the United States, women are assaulted or beaten once every nine seconds; worldwide, one in three women have been battered, raped or otherwise abused in her lifetime, according to women’s advocacy organizations.

“That means most of us – while grocery shopping, at work or at home – come across several women a day who have either been abused, or are currently enduring abuse,” says Linda O’Dochartaigh, a health professional and author of Peregrine (www.lavanderkatbooks.com). “It’s a terrible fact of life for too many women, but if there is something we can do about it and we care about fellow human beings, then we must try.”

There are several abuse resources available to women who are being abused, or friends of women who need advice, including:

• TheHotline.org, National Domestic Violence Hotline, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, 1-800-799-SAFE (7223)
• HelpGuide.org, provides unbiased, advertising-free mental health information to give people the self-help options to help people understand, prevent, and resolve life’s challenges
• VineLink.com, allows women to search for an offender in custody by name or identification number, then register to be alerted if the offender is released,  transferred, or escapes
• DAHMW.org, 1-888-7HELPLINE, offers crisis intervention and support services for victims of intimate partner violence and their families

Perhaps the best thing friends and family can do for a woman enduring domestic abuse is to be there for her – not only as a sympathetic ear, but also as a source of common sense that encourages her to take protective measures, O’Dochartaigh says. Before that, however, loved ones need to recognize that help is needed.

O’Dochartaigh reviews some of the warning signs:

• Clothing – Take notice of a change in clothing style or unusual fashion choices that would allow marks or bruises to be easily hidden. For instance, someone who wears long sleeves even in the dog days of summer may be trying to hide signs of abuse.
• Constant phone calls – Many abusers are very controlling and suspicious, so they will call their victims multiple times each day to “check in.” This is a subtle way of manipulating their victims, to make them fearful of uttering a stray word that might alert someone that something is wrong. Many abusers are also jealous, and suspect their partner is cheating on them, and the constant calls are a way of making sure they aren’t with anyone they aren’t supposed to be around.
• Unaccountable injuries – Sometimes, obvious injuries such as arm bruises or black eyes are a way to show outward domination over the victim. Other times, abusers harm areas of the body that won’t be seen by family, friends and coworkers.
• Frequent absences – Often missing work or school and other last-minute plan changes may be a woman hiding abuse, especially if she is otherwise reliable.
• Excessive guilt & culpability – Taking the blame for things that go wrong, even though she was clearly not the person responsible – or she is overly-emotional for her involvement – is a red flag.
• Fear of conflict – Being brow-beaten or physically beaten takes a heavy psychological toll, and anxiety bleeds into other relationships.
• Chronic uncertainty – Abusers often dominate every phase of a victim’s life, including what she thinks she likes, so making basic decisions can prove challenging.

About Linda O’Dochartaigh

Linda O’Dochartaigh has worked in health care is an advocate for victims of child abuse and domestic violence.  She wants survivors to know that an enriched, stable and happy life is available to them. O’Dochartaigh is the mother of three grown children and is raising four adopted grandchildren. 

Update from NGO Free The Slaves

Lincoln's Unfinished Job This month marks an important milestone in American history: it has been 150 years since President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. On September 22, 1862, Lincoln ordered the release of slaves in Confederate states during the Civil War. This anniversary is what educators call a "teachable moment." That's because outlawing slavery didn't end it. There are more slaves in the world today than when Lincoln was president. It's up to us to finish what Lincoln started, and we can start by spreading the word that slavery is about more than history. The Free the Slaves website is a key tool for building awareness -- with Education Packs for teachers and students, a timeline about the history of slavery, first-person transcripts and films where modern slavery survivors speak out, and details of our innovative frontline solutions to help slaves break free and stay free. Here's something to think about: what would you advise Lincoln to do about modern slavery if he were president today? Start a conversation about that at schools, churches, dinner parties, book groups and community gatherings. It will let your friends know that slavery still exists, and that they should join you in helping to end it. Inspiring India Rescue: "Running to Freedom" We have an amazing success story to report, an example that demonstrates our model of battling slavery through community action is working. One man's escape in India has been leveraged into freedom for 27 adults and 24 children. The man, Ram ji, escaped from a brick factory and sought advice from a local community vigilance committee. These committees, trained by Free the Slaves and our local partners, work like a neighborhood watch for traffickers. The committee asked Ram ji if he would help everyone escape the factory by returning and preparing them for a mass rescue. Despite the danger, Ram ji went back. And when authorities raided the factory, 51 people put slavery behind them. One survivor summed up the excitement simply: "I'm running to freedom!" Free the Slaves South Asia Director Supriya Awasthi was on hand to ensure authorities did a thorough job. She helped children climb into rescue trucks. "As I lifted those kids," Supriya says, "I knew they would remember this day, and they would never get on another truck to be taken off to slavery." You can see more photos and read Supriya's account of this rescue on theFTS blog. She's now following-up with villagers to ensure they don't fall back into slavery. Free the Slaves has supported 10 similar raids in northern India in the past year. You can learn more about our community-centered approach on our India webpage. Historic Progress: U.S. Industry to Help Fight Congo Slavery This summer brought a watershed victory for the corporate transparency and anti-slavery movements. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) now requires companies to investigate their supply chains and disclose if their products contain minerals from conflict areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or surrounding areas. If their products do contain "conflict minerals," companies must report what they're doing to ensure the profits don't go to abusive armed groups. The new rule is important because conflict minerals not only fuel one of history's deadliest wars. Free the Slaves research has documented that rebel groups and army commanders force Congo residents into slavery at many mining sites. Free the Slaves worked with other activists, corporations and investment firms to support the new reporting requirements. Congress directed the SEC to develop the new rule as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Four minerals are targeted for corporate disclosure: tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold. All are commonly used to manufacture electronic devices – from cell phones and televisions to computers and high-tech components. "It's an historic day, both for Congo and for the movement toward responsible investment at large," says Free the Slaves Programs Director Karen Stauss. The next step: persuading Congress to require companies to investigate their supply chains for all forms of slavery, not just Congo conflict minerals. You can learn more about the impact of Congo slavery, and your connection to it as a consumer, in our mini-documentary: Slavery in Your Pocket. 6th Grade Musicians Support Free the Slaves It's remarkable how people find creative ways to support the work of Free the Slaves. Sometimes, those contributions come from surprising places. We received several letters over the summer from sixth graders at the Mariposa School in Agoura Hills, California. The students had partnered with a professional musician to create a jazz CD called "One Step Closer: Mariposa 6th Graders Jazzing for a Better Future." "We are students trying to make a difference in the world," wrote Joe, one of the students, in his letter to Free the Slaves. "New sun, new day, new beginnings." The CD raised money for a variety of causes, including $600 that the students themselves decided to send to Free the Slaves. "We chose our organizations by calling a big meeting," explained Max, another student. "We thought you were definitely the best charity for slavery." A big thanks to musician Robert Kyle, teacher Paul Astin and students of the Mariposa School. Your efforts will make a difference for people in slavery around the world. Free the Slaves Wins Federal Charity Approval If you work for the U.S. government, you've probably heard of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). It allows you to automatically make charitable contributions to nonprofit organizations directly from your paycheck each month. We're proud to say that Free the Slaves has again been approved for these donations from federal government employees. Our CFC number is 11482. Recurring donations, no matter how large or small, are vital so Free the Slaves can budget for ongoing frontline work in India, Nepal, Ghana, Congo, Brazil and Haiti. If you're a federal employee, please consider making a recurring contribution. If you're not a federal employee, you can still make a monthly gift to Free the Slaves through our website donation page. Contributions are tax deductable. Thanks! FIND OUT MORE: FREETHESLAVES.NET | FTSBLOG.NET | TWITTER | FACEBOOK  Free the Slaves 1320 19th Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036 USA (202) 775-7480 info@freetheslaves.net Content Copyright ©2012 Free the Slaves. All rights reserved.