In January, National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month brings together law enforcement and organizations across the nation in a strive to eliminate human trafficking.
Because trafficking is so prevalent now, Judy DuCharme wrote her latest novel, Who Will Rescue Us?: A Love Story, to highlight this endemic situation. She believes the more people know what’s going on, the better they can recognize someone being trafficked, and know who to contact and what to do and what not to do.
When Sofia sets out from South America to start a new life in the States, she discovers evil is just as prevalent in her new country. Working at a hotel, Sofia sees numerous children she suspects are being held against their will. After Sofie meets Hector, they devise a plan to help the most vulnerable. But will she jeopardize her own citizenship status? And more importantly, if she and Hector don’t rescue the children, then who will?
Who Will Rescue Us?: A Love Story is a new take on the dangers of trafficking, endearing the reader to the lives and personalities of the children enmeshed in this horrible crime and the love and humanity of the rescuers. Because it is such a heavy subject, DuCharme also wrote it to weave in the concept of forgiveness in difficult situations, and it has a lot of hope and even a sweet love story.
Dave Pratt highlighted the current problem of human trafficking in his latest novel, Home Team 2. In Home Team 2, after a successful mission for the Home Team, the government is ready to create a Home Team 2 to help thwart human and drug trafficking. But finding recruits who can handle the assignment is not so easy. And the measures that the Lees will take to protect their investments puts everyone on the team at risk. When Washington State Patrol Trooper Ellen “Ell” Evander is reassigned to spend time with the Home Team, motivation to find her kidnapped niece clouds her judgment and spurs her on a mission that may end her career. Army Ranger Alex Anthem soon finds himself side by side with the attractive state patrol trooper. As the pressure mounts, Ell and Alex both have decisions to make that could change the courses of their lives forever.
Dave’s goal in writing Home Team 2 was to show how a dedicated person, seeking justice for others, can get wrapped up in their crusade to do it all on their own, no matter the danger. All too easily, they forget that they need others and more importantly, that God is there to help when they ask Him to guide them and be on their side. As a secondary goal, Dave wanted to set the stage for the story against the timely, current problem of human trafficking and show that there is hope in the battle.
Human trafficking is a timely issue, with over 89,000 missing persons cases open at the FBI and 1,100 human trafficking victims counted in the U.S. each year. Home Team 2 shows how a person, even as ill-advised as the story’s main character, when motivated by good and guided by God, can make a difference.
The following resources are for those who have been trafficked or are in danger of being trafficked, for those who suspect someone is being trafficked, for troubled young people, and for those who would like to donate or volunteer:
National Human Trafficking Hotline
888-373-7888
Text INFO to 233733
www.Humantraffickinghotline.org
Tim Tebow Foundation
For info on anti-human trafficking and child exploitation, to join the rescue team as an advocate or to pray, to donate financially, to volunteer
www.timtebowfoundation.org
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
800-843-5678
www.missingkids.org (cyber tipline)
missingkids.org/gethelpnow/support/teamhope
Courageous and Free
Serenity Orchards, a place for girls who are survivors of
sex trafficking and abuse
1-833-ONEHOPE
www.courageousandfree.org
Love146
Journeys alongside children impacted by trafficking today and helps prevent trafficking of children tomorrow
203-772-4420
www.love146.org
Hope for the Children Ministries
Changing the Lives of Children and Families through Faith, Hope, and Love
Working with At Risk, Under Privileged, Foster kids ages 11-18
727-459-5055
www.hftcm.org
Ready for Life Pinellas
Supports former foster care youth in homelessness prevention, education, employment, and lifeline support
727-954-3989
www.readyforlifepinellas.org
Sak Suam
A ministry dedicated to the prevention, rescue, restoration, transformation, and rehabilitation of vulnerable and exploited women, men, and children through vocational training and community development
www.saksaum.com
Women At Risk, International
Provides protection for the wounded, voices for the silenced, dignity for the abused, hope for women
and children worldwide
(616) 855-0796
Tollfree: (877) END-SLAVERY
www.warinternational.org
Wisconsin Child Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Indicator and Response Guide
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
University of California: (310) 235-2633
Duke University: (919) 682-1552
nctsn.org/resources/all-nctsn-resources
5 Stones / Fox Valley
Three short films about the realities of sex trafficking
www.facebook.com/5stonesFoxValley
Hope for Justice
Non-profit organization that aims to end human trafficking and modern slavery in the U.K., U.S., Cambodia, Norway, Australia, Ethiopia, Uganda
www.hopeforjustice.org