Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Shared Hope International?
Shared Hope International (SHI) is a 501c-3 non-profit organization existing to rescue and restore women and children in crisis. Former Congresswoman and founder, Linda Smith, has directed the organization since it started in 1998. SHI's domestic programs are run from its west coast office in Vancouver, Washington by nine full time staff, several professional volunteers and interns from our two internship programs. The international programs and public relations efforts are run from our east coast office in Washington D.C. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and the Shared Hope International Advisory Board.


How does SHI rescue and restore women?
SHI has launched Villages of Hope in seven countries: India, Nepal, Netherlands, Fiji, South Africa, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. We continue to financially support Homes of Hope in Fiji, India, Jamaica and South Africa. SHI identifies victims of trafficking through our outreach workers, social service providers, and local law enforcement. We then provide victims a safe place to heal, both physically and emotionally. At our Homes of Hope, women and children are able to receive medical treatment and counseling, gain economic freedom through job training in our Women's Investment Network (WIN), send their children to school, and continue their own education.

What does SHI do to ensure that women are not re-victimized?
To ensure that women who enter our programs are not re-victimized, there is no time limit to how long a woman or child can live with us. We understand people heal at different rates, and therefore we protect the women and children in our homes until they are ready to face the world as fully restored, economically independent individuals.


What is SHI doing to fight demand?
SHI acknowledges that without demand for victims, there would be no sex trafficking. We have expanded our Predator Project, revealing the perpetrators that create demand in the sex-trafficking trade. The Predator Project has been conducted in more than 14 countries identified as chief places of origin, transit or destination of global trafficking. In addition to research, SHI pursues the “three Ps”-prevention, prosecution and protection-to bring greater justice for victims and prosecution to predators.

Under a grant from the U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, SHI investigated the commercial sex markets in Jamaica, Japan, the Netherlands and the United States in 2006. DEMAND. is SHI’s explosive new documentary and report that exposes the buyers who bring demand and fuel an industry that is exploiting and enslaving women and children for profit.


How can I contribute to SHI?
We need your help to shatter the wall of silence keeping thousands of women and children around the world in captivity. Your voice can make a difference! Click here to find ways that you can financially support SHI's efforts to stop sex trafficking and provide a new life for women and children around the world.


How can I get involved with SHI?
We need help spreading the word about Shared Hope International and the fight against sex trafficking. You can tell your friends and family about us, and even send them a personalized message directing them to our website. Another way to get more involved with SHI is to Host Your Own Event. We also accept applications for volunteers at both our Vancouver, Washington and Arlington, VA offices. For students, we also have internship and fellowship programs.


How can I contact Shared Hope?
If you have questions about Shared Hope International, please call us at 1-866-HER-LIFE or send an email to savelives@sharedhope.org. Most inquiries by email will be answered within two business days; however, during times where staff is traveling, it may take longer.