#United States #Sarasota #Selah Freedom #L.Y.N. Funding Dreams #Right Here

Tackling Child Sex Trafficking in America

In the heart of America, an alarming crisis exists: sex trafficking, particularly targeting our vulnerable children. This issue, while often hidden from plain sight, inflicts devastating psychological and physical harm on countless young lives. To combat this pressing concern, Selah Freedom, a prominent anti-trafficking organization, in partnership with L.Y.N. Funding Dreams, has launched a bold initiative called the "Right Here" campaign, aiming to provide necessary resources for prevention, outreach, and survivor support.

A Call to Action

The campaign runs for 90 days and emphasizes that every donation of $2 or more can have a transformative impact. This initiative characterizes how even seemingly small contributions can collectively bring about significant change. Moreover, each donor becomes eligible for a chance to apply for one of five personal Dream Grants, offering up to $250,000 to support their aspirations.

Globally, commercial sexual exploitation is a staggering industry, generating an estimated $173 billion annually, according to the International Labour Organization. This impacts communities in America, where many children are groomed for exploitation, often by individuals they trust. Many survivors of trafficking report their first exploitation occurrences between the ages of 12 and 14.

The Role of Selah Freedom

Since its inception in 2011, Selah Freedom has been at the forefront of fighting trafficking through a combination of prevention, awareness campaigns, outreach programs, and residential care for survivors. Over the past 15 years, they have supported more than 7,500 survivors, additionally providing training to over 100 organizations across 35 states and five countries. Notably, since 2021, Selah Freedom's prevention team has empowered more than 95,000 individuals, both youth and adults alike, to recognize and intervene against exploitation.

Laurie Swink, the CEO and co-founder of Selah Freedom, passionately stated, “We will go to the ends of the earth to bring a survivor home. But our greatest dream is a generation of children who never need rescuing at all.” Each contribution made during the campaign is a step towards making that dream a reality, connecting donors directly to efforts that keep children safe from traffickers.

Join the Movement

Supporters who wish to contribute can join the movement by visiting lynfundingdreams.org/selah. Ken Smith, co-founder of L.Y.N. Funding Dreams, echoed the mission of the campaign, emphasizing that “Selah Freedom has a dream—to make child trafficking something we prevent instead of something we grieve.” Through this campaign, everyday people are empowered not only to fund necessary causes but also to pursue their dreams.

Contacting Selah Freedom

For those in need of assistance or who know someone who is, Selah Freedom has a dedicated helpline available at 1-888-8-FREE-ME.

The need for action is pressing, but with dedicated efforts and your support, we can transform our communities into safer spaces for children. Let’s work together to ensure that trafficking becomes a grave concern of the past.

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About Selah Freedom: Founded in 2011, Selah Freedom strives to end sex trafficking and restore freedom to those affected through comprehensive prevention and support programs. Learn more at selahfreedom.com.

About L.Y.N. Funding Dreams: L.Y.N. is a public charity dedicated to supporting transformative causes, equipping its donor community with life-changing grants. More information can be found at lynfundingdreams.org.