Shared Hope International's History

2010

Shared Hope begins assessments in Arizona, Virginia and Washington to examine the practices and procedures used to identify and deliver service to victims of domestic minor sex trafficking.

Training using the INTERVENE curriculum is presented to law enforcement and social service providers in the state of Washington.

2009

Published and presented to Congress, the National Report on DMST.

Renting Lacy, a story of America’s prostituted children written by Shared Hope International founder Linda Smith, is published.

2008

Shared Hope, with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), conducted assessments in 10 U.S. locations where the DOJ-funded task forces to combat human trafficking.

2007

Shared Hope releases the DEMAND. report and documentary – an investigation of the commercial sex markets in Jamaica, Japan, the Netherlands and the United States, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Shared Hope creates educational resources that provide a baseline understanding of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) to anti–trafficking task force members and first responders who work in the field.

2006

Shared Hope International spearheads the U.S. Mid–Term Review on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) bringing together leaders from across the USA to assess progress made combating the sexual slavery of children in America.

2005

April 25–27: The sixth “Next Steps" Conference in Singapore brings together leaders from 12 nations in an unprecedented gathering of governments supporting Shared Hope's mission to eradicate sex trafficking of women and children.

Home of Hope, Netherlands grows to include a total of nine safe houses.

Shared Hope International expands Women's Investment Network (WIN) internationally, providing women with necessary work and life skills to help maintain their independence and prevent re–victimization. Initiatives include a toilet paper factory, bakery, hair salon, leather making factory, and a jewelry making facility.

2004

January 27–28: “Next Steps" Conference in Mumbai/Bombay, India (sponsored by Shared Hope International, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra State, India, Chief Law Enforcement, and the United States Government).

U.S. Department of Justice organizes a summit of law enforcement and non–government groups from all over the United States to focus on developing strategies to combat sex trafficking in the U.S.A.

A new Village of Hope opens in South Africa. Shared Hope and a local partner purchase and remodel a compound to house women and children abused by gangs and the sex industry. The facility provides a safe place to heal, nurturing them with accommodations, nutrition, medical help, and education.

February 24–25: “Next Steps" Conference in Batam, Indonesia (sponsored by Shared Hope, the government of Indonesia and non–government social providers). The conference launches an all–out campaign to put an end to widespread sex trafficking of children in Indonesia.

June 22–24: “Next Steps" Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. Organized by the South African government and WATA to develop global strategies in the fight against human trafficking in South Africa.

Home of Hope, India establishes a leather–making factory through the WIN Program, helping develop revenue, work skills, and self–sufficiency for women.

Shared Hope International begins the Predator Project.

Shared Hope opens Home of Hope in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The first annual Sharing the Hope Event takes place in Washington, D.C., bringing together hundreds in support of Shared Hope International's mission to eradicate sex trafficking of women and children.

Shared Hope helps purchase 40 acres for a new Home of Hope facility in Fiji, and establishes a commercial bakery to build skills and revenue.

2003

An HIV/Aids Clinic opens in Kamatipura, the heart of Mumbai/Bombay's red light district. It's one of few clinics providing anti–retroviral treatment to patients free–of–charge.

WATA and U.S. Department of State host first World Summit, “Path Breaking Strategies in the Global Fight Against Sex Trafficking,” recognizing activists around the globe devising practical solutions to the problems of sex tourism and trafficking.

November 17–18: The first international “Next Steps” Conference is held in Chisinau, Moldova (sponsored by WATA, Shared Hope International, and others). This two–day conference explores ideas to increase prosecution of traffickers and protect witnesses in the Moldova criminal justice system. The event hosts all mayors from Moldova, kicking off their nationwide anti–trafficking campaign, and generating increased public awareness and action.

December 8–9: “Next Steps” Conference in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (presented by WATA, Shared Hope International, and others). This two–day conference explores ideas to increase prosecution of traffickers and protect witnesses in the D.R.'s criminal justice system.

Shared Hope launches the award–winning “Esmerelda Campaign,” a public awareness campaign against sex trafficking that airs throughout the Dominican Republic.

Shared Hope opens the first Home of Hope in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, providing refuge and restoration for hundreds of trafficked girls.

2002

Shared Hope International partners with Teen Challenge, Jamaica creating a program that provides services to women who are victims of sex trafficking.

2001

War Against Trafficking Alliance (WATA) is formed. A group coalition begins working together to raise international awareness on sex trafficking and sex tourism.

In cooperation with Johns Hopkins University and the U.S. State Department, Shared Hope International begins a series of domestic training seminars on a new U.S. anti–trafficking law in several key cities, including Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, and the greater Portland/SW Washington area.

2000

The domestic “WIN,” or Women's Investment Network, program is established, training women to enter the work force and support themselves and their families

1999

Shared Hope International's first Village of Hope opens in Mumbai/Bombay, India. Home includes six safe houses, and construction begins on a 72–acre, village–style development comprised of several homes, an educational facility, and a vocational school.

Shared Hope opens Village of Hope in Nepal. Girls trafficked from Nepal to India return home to begin a new life.

Shared Hope International launches a mobile HIV/Aids clinic and mobile food van in Mumbai/Bombay, allowing intervention into hard to reach areas, and helping bring girls out of the brothels toward long–term restoration.

1998

U.S. Congresswoman, Linda Smith founds Shared Hope International to rescue and restore women and children in crisis.