|
How to Support
LGBTQ+ Survivors
|
|
|
Pride is more than a branding opportunity. At Freedom Network USA, we're making Pride month meaningful by directly confronting and addressing the ongoing abuse and exploitation of LGBTQ communities. Unfortunately, we know that the LGBTQ population is at a higher risk of being trafficked due to discrimination. And recent legislative attacks against the community are exacerbating the problem. That's why we are taking the time to discuss the vulnerabilities of LGBTQ youth to trafficking and how to address them. Check out our video series where we discuss the best ways to support LGBTQ youth and the resources available to help LGBTQ survivors. We also posted a new blog post on how service providers can better support LGBTQ survivors.
|
|
The Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is putting many people's lives at risk, especially trafficking survivors. The right to an abortion is critical in supporting the needs of human trafficking survivors. Survivors often lose all control over their bodies and sexual lives. In order to heal from their experiences, survivors need to get back what they lost – control over their reproductive and sexual health and choices.
Everyone, including trafficking survivors, deserves access to legal abortion. FNUSA will continue to support Roe v. Wade and uplift pro-choice activists.
|
|
|
Remembering
Deborah Pembrook
|
|
This spring, we were devastated to hear the news of Deborah Pembrook's death. So many of us were influenced by her unwavering commitment to protecting and uplifting human trafficking survivors. She brought that commitment into every space she entered and was never afraid to challenge the status quo. For those of you who did not know her, you might consider watching this keynote she did in 2021. It is a testament to her authenticity, her professionalism, and her idealism. She knew we could all BE and DO better.Â
Deborah became a FNUSA member after much discussion and reflection in 2019. She wanted to be sure it was a good fit ideologically because of our unwillingness to compromise on certain positions. While Deborah was a person of integrity, she was also one of tolerance and understanding. She fought for all survivors, even those for whom she did not agree. She wanted all of us to do more of the same. She might have been the most thoughtful person I ever met - thoughtful as in inquisitive - although she was undoubtedly very kind too. I distinctively remember how much words mattered to her. She would ask questions about the meaning of your words and it was a steady reminder that our intentions do not always equal our impact.
We have lost a force for good in this field. May we all strive to be more like Deborah. Rest in power our dear friend.
- Melinda Smith, Director of Partnerships
|
|
|
LIFT the BAR Act Introduced to the Senate!
|
|
|
Freedom Network USA joined over 750 other organizations in supporting the Lifting Immigrant Families Through Benefits Access Restoration (LIFT the BAR) Act. This act would restore access to public programs like Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP, by removing the five-year bar and other barriers that deny critical care and aid to people who are lawfully present and their families. This act is critical to reducing the risk of trafficking for immigrant families.Â
Â
|
|
|
The recording is now available for our Trauma-Informed Policies and Procedures for Housing Programs webinar. This webinar provides an overview of best practices when creating trauma-informed policies and procedures for housing programs. Attendees will learn how to incorporate a trauma-informed lens into their documentation, such as intake forms and screening tools.
|
|
Our newest toolkit, Building Trauma-Informed Practices for Anti-Trafficking Housing Programs, aims to provide a framework that anti-human trafficking providers offering housing services can utilize to build trauma-informed, person-centered, and voluntary housing programs for trafficking survivors.
View the Toolkit →
Â
|
|
|
|
|
|
