This poem illustrates a conversation with a survivor and her friend, and why asking the simple question of "What Is Your...

This poem illustrates a conversation with a survivor and her friend, and why asking the simple question of "What Is Your...

This poem illustrates a conversation with a survivor and her friend, and why asking the simple question of "What Is Your Favorite Color?" may not always provide a simple answer. A special thank you to @theladydeanne @rawfocusdance @stumikebenn @rj_idos #WYFC

This poem illustrates a conversation with a survivor and her friend, and why asking the simple question of "What Is Your... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CHAxxSfHymg

When “Maya” was 16 years old, she was excited to find her first job. She met a man who offered her a well-paying job in ...

When “Maya” was 16 years old, she was excited to find her first job. She met a man who offered her a well-paying job in ...

When “Maya” was 16 years old, she was excited to find her first job. She met a man who offered her a well-paying job in a neighboring country in Western Africa. He said that she could earn a great income as a shop attendant. Maya accepted his offer and looked forward to learning a new skill.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Upon her arrival in the new city, her trafficker revealed that he was going to force her to sell herself for sex. He demanded that she make a certain amount of money each day and that she must give it all to him. Maya’s heart filled with fear as he drove her to a brothel so she could start her “work”. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ The night before she was supposed to start, she noticed a man selling phone accessories outside the brothel. He was from her home country. She decided to confide in him. She snuck out of the brothel, hoping that this man would be able to help her. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Luckily, the man acted quickly and immediately called the police. As the police and anti-human trafficking unit prepared the rescue operation, O.U.R. Aftercare and partners worked to find trusted aftercare services for Maya. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Because of Maya's bravery, she was rescued and her trafficker was arrested. We will continue to support Maya as she navigates the court process and her return home!

When “Maya” was 16 years old, she was excited to find her first job. She met a man who offered her a well-paying job in ... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CG_CocEgAXE

The most vile and diabolical trafficker I ever talked with while undercover was actually a strikingly gorgeous young wom...

The most vile and diabolical trafficker I ever talked with while undercover was actually a strikingly gorgeous young wom...

The most vile and diabolical trafficker I ever talked with while undercover was actually a strikingly gorgeous young woman from a small town in Latin America. I looked into this woman's eyes and saw that she had no soul, as she negotiated the freedom, health and perhaps even the lives of precious young children as cooly and calculatingly as if she was bartering the price of a sack of potatoes or a bag of rice ("it weighs this much, costs this much, will do this and that...etc"). ⁠ ⁠ However, over the next few weeks something gut-wrenching and ironic happened...this woman pulled out of our agreement because she said that her six-year-old daughter had fallen seriously ill and needed immediate hospitalization in the capital city. It was so hard to square the fact that this evil woman who was grooming and trafficking young girls was also a loving and caring mother of a young child. Our police contacts confirmed that the woman was telling the truth and that her daughter had been admitted to a hospital. ⁠ ⁠ With the original operation was called off, the police asked us if we’d like to stay and support following another lead. The O.U.R. Ops Team stayed to support the investigation, which ultimately resulted in another successful operation, where two survivors were rescued and three traffickers were arrested. During this operation, a 16-year-old survivor was rescued, and she later shared information with police that resulted in 12 additional rescues and 6 arrests.⁠ ⁠ - O.U.R. Operator

The most vile and diabolical trafficker I ever talked with while undercover was actually a strikingly gorgeous young wom... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CG8mHC1ncLo

100 survivors in the Mediterranean were finally freed from prison by the government! ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ These 100 West African women ...

100 survivors in the Mediterranean were finally freed from prison by the government! ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ These 100 West African women ...

100 survivors in the Mediterranean were finally freed from prison by the government! ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ These 100 West African women were trafficked out of West Africa by false employment agencies, who took their passports and exploited them repeatedly. Over time, each of these women decided to bravely escape their abusive situations. They were put in prison because their traffickers had taken their passports, so they had no official documents with them. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Our in-country aftercare partners have done an incredible job at supporting these women on a weekly basis. Even under shelter-in-place orders, they were in constant communication with the survivors to make sure their needs were being met. ⁠⠀ O.U.R. has been supplementing food and hygiene items for these survivors throughout the pandemic, as supplies were low and the prison was overcrowded. O.U.R. Aftercare Team members also helped negotiate and facilitate the conversations to help release them.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ These 100 women returned home to their families with joy. The O.U.R. Aftercare team plans to visit them in the coming months to follow up with additional survivor care.

100 survivors in the Mediterranean were finally freed from prison by the government! ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ These 100 West African women ... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CG6BVszAw2K

Here’s a sneak peek of our latest video, which illustrates a conversation with a survivor and her friend, and why asking...

Here’s a sneak peek of our latest video, which illustrates a conversation with a survivor and her friend, and why asking...

Here’s a sneak peek of our latest video, which illustrates a conversation with a survivor and her friend, and why asking the simple question of, "What's Your Favorite Color?" may not always provide a simple answer. See link in profile for the full YouTube video! ⁠ ⁠ @theladydeanne @rawfocusdance @stumikebenn @rj_idos #WYFC⁠ ⁠ Tim Ballard heard Deanne perform this poem at an anti-human trafficking gala in OKC. He shared her song with the O.U.R. Team and knew we had to share it with our supporters.⁠ ⁠ Deanne was inspired to write these words when she had a touching experience...⁠ ⁠ "I was given the opportunity to hear stories from trafficking survivors in my state of Oklahoma and was inspired by the idea that some of them don’t have the privilege of knowing what their favorite color is. I wanted to create a conversation with a survivor, where I ignorantly assume that they have a color they love. In my conversation I discover the insensitivity of my question because the colors of my choosing are triggering."⁠ ⁠ "I wanted to invite the listener into the brokenness of redemption. Redemption is messy. It is often full of scars, but God can make our lives colorful if we allow Him to."⁠ ⁠ To any survivors who may be watching- “I hope this piece inspires you to believe that God has not forgotten you and that He has created you with value far beyond the way others have treated you!”⁠ ⁠ Thank you, Deanne, for sharing your gift with us. Thank you for being a light and a voice for so many who have not yet shared their story.

Here’s a sneak peek of our latest video, which illustrates a conversation with a survivor and her friend, and why asking... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CG3chLDnve0

In Operation Angel, a trafficker in Colombia was arrested after allegedly using popular social media apps to recruit gir...

In Operation Angel, a trafficker in Colombia was arrested after allegedly using popular social media apps to recruit gir...

In Operation Angel, a trafficker in Colombia was arrested after allegedly using popular social media apps to recruit girls for modeling and photoshoots. Once they met in a seemingly-reliable place, they made proposals to make sexual abuse material. Girls as young as 11 years old were exploited in this way. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ In Operation Depredador II, a teacher offered students large sums of money in exchange for sexual encounters. Three victims have been identified and been provided with survivor care services. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ In Operation Libertad, three young victims were rescued from being abused and exploited, the youngest being a four year old boy. The child sexual abuse videos and pictures were being sent to someone in the U.S. It is cases like these that show how our work to fight exploitation abroad is directly connected to the fight against exploitation in the U.S. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ The evidence in these cases were processed in a children’s cybercrime lab in Colombia that O.U.R. has had a long-standing relationship with. O.U.R. has supplemented the work in this lab with technique and training courses as well as a forensic workstation. This forensic computer allows the teams to image, analyze and report any electronic devices which are suspected of containing sexually explicit materials depicting children. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ After a young girl named Yuliana was kidnapped from her home and killed in 2016, the Colombian Government implemented an Amber Alert-style system to be named after her. The Colombian government also dedicated a state-of-the-art computer lab in her name. This laboratory was the first of its kind in South America and brings together Homeland Security Investigations and their team of Colombian National Police.

In Operation Angel, a trafficker in Colombia was arrested after allegedly using popular social media apps to recruit gir... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CG09Ah9g02J

Child sex trafficking and exploitation is happening here in the United States. With O.U.R.’s support, training, and reso...

Child sex trafficking and exploitation is happening here in the United States. With O.U.R.’s support, training, and reso...

Child sex trafficking and exploitation is happening here in the United States. With O.U.R.’s support, training, and resources, the above arrests and rescues were carried out by law enforcement teams across the country.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ The crimes against children allegedly committed by these predators varied from creating and sharing child exploitation material online, sexually abusing and exploiting children under 5 years old, and actively trafficking teenagers. Some of these predators also groomed and exploited children online, which led to the identification of victims across several more states. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ We cannot continue to allow our children to exploited in this way. With your support, we can put an end to the horrible crimes of child trafficking and exploitation.

Child sex trafficking and exploitation is happening here in the United States. With O.U.R.’s support, training, and reso... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGs02UhgF72

Today is “Gabriella’s” birthday! She has been feeling sad this week and could use some extra hope. Send her some love in...

Today is “Gabriella’s” birthday! She has been feeling sad this week and could use some extra hope. Send her some love in...

Today is “Gabriella’s” birthday! She has been feeling sad this week and could use some extra hope. Send her some love in the comments! ⁠ ____________________________________________⁠ ⁠ Gabriella was trafficked by her family members for many years of her life. They would exploit her in various ways, including rape and forcing her to beg for money from strangers. She was under the threats of a local gang, who manipulated her so that she would stay compliant. Luckily she was rescued as a young teenager and her traffickers were put in jail. ⁠ ⁠ Gabriella has been living in one of our partnering aftercare homes for a few years in Central America. When she first came to the home, she was very shy. Now, whenever a new girl comes into the home, Gabriella is the first one at the door to make sure she does not feel alone. ⁠ ⁠ Gabriella is brilliant and has excelled in school. She was excited when she was accepted to a very prestigious school with a full-ride scholarship. Thanks to O.U.R. donors, we were able to provide Gabriella with her own tablet and helped her buy her required school uniforms. We are inspired by Gabriella’s ability to overcome hardship and for the light she is constantly sharing with others.

Today is “Gabriella’s” birthday! She has been feeling sad this week and could use some extra hope. Send her some love in... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGqkgdNn-8G

Repost from O.U.R. Founder + CEO @timballard89:⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ [Yesterday] was the grand opening of the DHS Center for Countering ...

Repost from O.U.R. Founder + CEO @timballard89:⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ [Yesterday] was the grand opening of the DHS Center for Countering ...

Repost from O.U.R. Founder + CEO @timballard89:⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ [Yesterday] was the grand opening of the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking. Grateful to have been invited to participate in a closed round table discussion with some of my DHS heroes in the field. Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf, Director of Homeland Security Investigations Derek Benner (my former boss when I was an agent in the field), Senior Special Agent Angie Salazar, who will run the center, and who worked closely with O.U.R. on one of our largest operations ever in Colombia, and many others! Also happy to see my friend Tanya Gould of the US Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. THANK YOU @dhsgov for leading us in this fight! #endhumantrafficking

Repost from O.U.R. Founder + CEO @timballard89:⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ [Yesterday] was the grand opening of the DHS Center for Countering ... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGoAgz_AQE9

“As long as there are vulnerable children to exploit, evil opportunists will grab that advantage, all with the same obje...

“As long as there are vulnerable children to exploit, evil opportunists will grab that advantage, all with the same obje...

“As long as there are vulnerable children to exploit, evil opportunists will grab that advantage, all with the same objective, make as much money as possible. Unfortunately, these traffickers seek gain with no regard for the lives they destroy. Our objectives are very clear: gather evidence that can be used by the law enforcement teams we support to put traffickers in jail and identify the children that need rescuing.” - O.U.R. Operator

“As long as there are vulnerable children to exploit, evil opportunists will grab that advantage, all with the same obje... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGla8umBGU6

K9 Banner recently assisted in the arrest of 2 predators and the identification of 1 survivor. ⁠ ⁠ One of the men in thi...

K9 Banner recently assisted in the arrest of 2 predators and the identification of 1 survivor. ⁠ ⁠ One of the men in thi...

K9 Banner recently assisted in the arrest of 2 predators and the identification of 1 survivor. ⁠ ⁠ One of the men in this case was arrested after traveling across state lines to sexually abuse a child. Both men in this case are facing charges related to possessing child sexual abuse material.⁠ ⁠ We are grateful for K9 Banner for assisting in this case! These special dogs are trained to recognize the unique chemical scent of electronic storage devices, such as thumb drives, hard drives, SIM cards, etc. These devices are routinely hidden by child predators in an attempt to hide sexually abusive and exploitative images of children from significant others and law enforcement.⁠ ⁠ Such small devices are easily hidden and difficult to locate when law enforcement search warrants are executed. These dogs quickly sniff out evidence that a human investigator alone would need much longer to find, if even found at all. ⁠ ⁠ To date, O.U.R. has helped sponsor 15 dogs across 12 U.S. states. We are incredibly grateful for our partners at ASEA for sponsoring K9 Banner.

K9 Banner recently assisted in the arrest of 2 predators and the identification of 1 survivor. ⁠ ⁠ One of the men in thi... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGi2H5HjqJ1

Oftentimes The O.U.R. Aftercare Team and our partners witness special moments during a child's many "firsts" while they ...

Oftentimes The O.U.R. Aftercare Team and our partners witness special moments during a child's many "firsts" while they ...

Oftentimes The O.U.R. Aftercare Team and our partners witness special moments during a child's many "firsts" while they are in the aftercare home. He or she exclaims in surprise or asks us something while discovering certain things all of us may take for granted. ⁠ ⁠ We've heard two sisters ask, "What's a sticker?" during their first time ever doing crafts and coloring. We know children who had never played on a playground before they were rescued. We've had the privilege of sharing the joyous moment when a young boy realized he is allowed to have hopes and dreams. ⁠ ⁠ Every time we watch these "firsts" our hearts break a little, reminding us that so many children were deprived of a normal childhood before they were rescued. But our hearts are soon filled with hope, because we remember that's why we're here. This is why aftercare is so important. ⁠ ⁠ On October 27th, you'll hear a powerful song that illustrates a conversation with a survivor and her friend, and why asking the simple question of, "What's Your Favorite Color?" may not always provide a simple answer.⁠ ⁠ @theladydeanne @rawfocusdance @rj_idos

Oftentimes The O.U.R. Aftercare Team and our partners witness special moments during a child's many "firsts" while they ... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGchCPaJLdq

From July to September 2020, O.U.R. was a part of 183 operations! These operations are a reflection of the hard work of ...

From July to September 2020, O.U.R. was a part of 183 operations! These operations are a reflection of the hard work of ...

From July to September 2020, O.U.R. was a part of 183 operations! These operations are a reflection of the hard work of the O.U.R. Ops Team, law enforcement agencies we support, and partner NGO’s.⁠ ⁠ O.U.R. supports law enforcement in the U.S. by providing resources, training, and tools to aid in identifying and rescuing victims of child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. 119 of these Q3 operations happened in the U.S. across 16 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia. Over a hundred predators were arrested for various crimes against children. ⁠ ⁠ Internationally, the O.U.R. Ops Team had several opportunities to work with law enforcement to go undercover and help rescue children and youth. ⁠ ⁠ Hundreds of survivors were identified and rescued from these operations. A 15-year-old in Thailand was rescued from being advertised online and sold by a trafficker over and over again. In Colombia, an 11-year-old girl was rescued from being trafficked by close family members. In Nepal, our operators helped identify 5 victims of child sexual abuse on Facebook who were all under 13 years old. ⁠ ⁠ These numbers and stories only represent a fraction of our work worldwide. O.U.R. Aftercare and our network of aftercare partners walk alongside thousands of survivors every day both here and abroad. We are inspired by every survivor’s courage and hope as they work to reach their dreams.

From July to September 2020, O.U.R. was a part of 183 operations! These operations are a reflection of the hard work of ... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGbA50Nn1Pz

Yesterday we posted “What Human Trafficking Really Is”, now are you ready to learn the signs more in depth? Our online t...

Yesterday we posted “What Human Trafficking Really Is”, now are you ready to learn the signs more in depth? Our online t...

Yesterday we posted “What Human Trafficking Really Is”, now are you ready to learn the signs more in depth? Our online training is free and takes under an hour to complete. Visit ourrescue.org/training to receive your certificate today! ¡Disponible en español también!

Yesterday we posted “What Human Trafficking Really Is”, now are you ready to learn the signs more in depth? Our online t... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGYi8LAHeVO

There is a common misconception that human trafficking victims are kept in cages and chains. While this is not outside t...

There is a common misconception that human trafficking victims are kept in cages and chains. While this is not outside t...

There is a common misconception that human trafficking victims are kept in cages and chains. While this is not outside the realm of possibilities in the most egregious cases, human trafficking is so pervasive, in part, due to how easily it can be kept under the radar. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ While it is important to be aware of risk factors in order to mitigate this problem, we must not forget that this could happen to anyone, and it is our responsibility to educate ourselves on what to look for, how to prevent new cases, and how to report suspected cases.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ It is important to look at the totality of the circumstances, as a single indicator on its own may not be enough to warrant concern. As always, it is best to err on the side of caution when trying to determine if an individual is in danger.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ See the link in our profile to read our full blog post about what human trafficking looks like.

There is a common misconception that human trafficking victims are kept in cages and chains. While this is not outside t... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGV-TiwAZ6H

We are excited about the progress of new cases in August and September in Ukraine! With O.U.R.’s training and resources,...

We are excited about the progress of new cases in August and September in Ukraine! With O.U.R.’s training and resources,...

We are excited about the progress of new cases in August and September in Ukraine! With O.U.R.’s training and resources, law enforcement was able to identify and open cases for 33 victims of online child exploitation. In the process, 192 pages hosting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) were blocked. Hundreds of cases against child predators are coming to light and we are grateful for the teams working hard behind the scenes to perform digital forensics to gather evidence.

We are excited about the progress of new cases in August and September in Ukraine! With O.U.R.’s training and resources,... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGTZYdJFQau

O.U.R.’s K9 Jib recently helped in investigations that led to the arrest of 3 men for crimes against children in North D...

O.U.R.’s K9 Jib recently helped in investigations that led to the arrest of 3 men for crimes against children in North D...

O.U.R.’s K9 Jib recently helped in investigations that led to the arrest of 3 men for crimes against children in North Dakota. K9 Jib is trained to sniff out electronic devices when carrying out search warrants.⁠ ⁠ During the investigation of Allen Strong’s (pictured above) self-storage unit, police found 86 files of child sexual abuse material on a flash drive and his computer. One folder name was “man little girls turn me on”. ⁠ ⁠ One of the other men arrested was a 34 year old who possessed child sexual abuse pictures and videos in his Dropbox account and on his phone. The photos he allegedly possessed were of boys and girls under 12 years old. ⁠ ⁠ Children should never be exploited in this way. Thank you for standing with us in this fight to protect more children. See link in profile for news story. (Img src: valleynewslive.com)

O.U.R.’s K9 Jib recently helped in investigations that led to the arrest of 3 men for crimes against children in North D... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGQ0qapnv0F

After weeks of fighting for freedom, we are very excited to announce the release of 45 West African women who were wrong...

After weeks of fighting for freedom, we are very excited to announce the release of 45 West African women who were wrong...

After weeks of fighting for freedom, we are very excited to announce the release of 45 West African women who were wrongfully put in prison in the Mediterranean. They were trafficked out of their country by false employment agencies, who took their passports and exploited them repeatedly. They were put in prison because their traffickers had taken their passports, so they had no official documents with them. Our team and partners help these women retrieve the necessary documents for their release and help them book plane tickets home.⁠ ⁠ A member of the O.U.R. Aftercare Team worked directly with law enforcement to arrange proper security to travel to the airport. These 45 brave survivors have arrived home and are now reunited with their families. Words cannot express the amount of joy they felt as they returned after a long period of imprisonment.

After weeks of fighting for freedom, we are very excited to announce the release of 45 West African women who were wrong... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGI_U3uA8rX

O.U.R. empowers and supports law enforcement across the United States with the tools, technology and training they need ...

O.U.R. empowers and supports law enforcement across the United States with the tools, technology and training they need ...

O.U.R. empowers and supports law enforcement across the United States with the tools, technology and training they need to more effectively combat child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in their jurisdictions. One way we do this is by sponsoring Electronic Storage Device (ESD) detection canines – dogs that sniff out evidence to help prosecute child predators. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Our amazing community volunteer teams recently raised funds to fully cover custom-fit bulletproof vests and First Aid kits for four of our K9s. These amazing dogs are suited up and ready to go on their next search warrant! ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ From June to September 2020, these K9s have found evidence to assist in the arrests of 41 predators and the identification of 13 young survivors. Another benefit of using these dogs is the calming affect they can have on a child right after their rescue. These pups are often present during child forensic interviews to calm a child and support them throughout the interview. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ See our link in profile to read more about these amazing dogs.

O.U.R. empowers and supports law enforcement across the United States with the tools, technology and training they need ... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGGiE55Axmf

Every time the O.U.R. Aftercare Team walked into “Jasmine’s” aftercare home, they noticed a change in her. Over the cour...

Every time the O.U.R. Aftercare Team walked into “Jasmine’s” aftercare home, they noticed a change in her. Over the cour...

Every time the O.U.R. Aftercare Team walked into “Jasmine’s” aftercare home, they noticed a change in her. Over the course of a year, these changes were subtle – maybe it was a bigger smile, new glasses, or a change in her countenance.⁠ Every time they spent time with her, she was more and more kind to others, slowly softening the tough exterior she brought to the aftercare home.⁠ ⁠ Jasmine didn’t come from an easy background and quickly developed a toughness to survive. When she was young, a gang lured her in and began trafficking her to local community members and other gang members. Jasmine’s mother eventually caught wind of what Jasmine was doing and wished for part of the profit. Instead of rescuing her daughter, she began selling Jasmine in the bar she owned. After all of this, Jasmine survived and was rescued.⁠ ⁠ During the court process, Jasmine’s social workers found an aunt that she could safely live with. When it came time to say goodbye to her fellow survivors and friends on her last day in the aftercare home, she began to cry. Her tears were met with an audible gasp around her, because none of the girls or staff had ever seen her cry, even through therapy.⁠ ⁠ After all that Jasmine had been through, she had come to a point where she felt safe enough to cry. Everyone in the aftercare home embraced her and supported her through her tears, and they all celebrated her accomplishments and future.⁠ Part of the healing process for many survivors of human trafficking is learning to feel safe and loved after experiencing trauma. ⁠ ⁠ We value these moments of hope and light. Jasmine lives with hope and love, walking on her path to healing from the trauma she endured for so many years.

Every time the O.U.R. Aftercare Team walked into “Jasmine’s” aftercare home, they noticed a change in her. Over the cour... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGD8f7mBUu2

What do operators do when they are not on the ground/actively in an operation? ⁠ ⁠ Operators are constantly planning str...

What do operators do when they are not on the ground/actively in an operation? ⁠ ⁠ Operators are constantly planning str...

What do operators do when they are not on the ground/actively in an operation? ⁠ ⁠ Operators are constantly planning strategies when they have a window of time before an upcoming operation. While at home they are busy with their professions in military/law enforcement/first responder jobs and enjoying their hobbies to provide a balance between work and home life. Spirituality is also key. Whether it be worshipping God, meditating, finding peace in a troubled world, or contemplating the goodness that each of us has to offer our fellow man, seeking the comfort of a higher power is crucial to our well-being and motivates us to serve.

What do operators do when they are not on the ground/actively in an operation? ⁠ ⁠ Operators are constantly planning str... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CGBX1zroh5b

Here is O.U.R. Founder + CEO @timballard89 answering some important questions we’ve received recently.

Here is O.U.R. Founder + CEO @timballard89 answering some important questions we’ve received recently.

Here is O.U.R. Founder + CEO @timballard89 answering some important questions we’ve received recently.

Here is O.U.R. Founder + CEO @timballard89 answering some important questions we’ve received recently. was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CF-y-mPHC5t

O.U.R. Operators worked with members of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATDP) of the Royal Thai Police to iden...

O.U.R. Operators worked with members of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATDP) of the Royal Thai Police to iden...

O.U.R. Operators worked with members of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATDP) of the Royal Thai Police to identify locations where potential victims of human trafficking were located. A 15-year-old girl was identified as being sold for sex by an adult female. The trafficker primarily advertised deals online. ATPD and O.U.R. Operators worked together to initiate an undercover operation to rescue the young survivor and arrest her trafficker. ⁠ ⁠ Operation Swift Tower was successful, and O.U.R. Aftercare was onsite to assist and coordinate survivor care. We are grateful that this young survivor was rescued from being exploited by any more predators.

O.U.R. Operators worked with members of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATDP) of the Royal Thai Police to iden... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CF5jCFrIYO-

PART 2/2: This is the team that supported “Jennifer” through the difficult time of being wrongfully imprisoned and separ...

PART 2/2: This is the team that supported “Jennifer” through the difficult time of being wrongfully imprisoned and separ...

PART 2/2: This is the team that supported “Jennifer” through the difficult time of being wrongfully imprisoned and separated from her baby. We are so grateful for the work that this team does to help so many survivors of human trafficking and exploitation. ⁠ ⁠ The woman in the middle is “Mother Mary,” who has helped hundreds of women like Jennifer. Below is an excerpt from Mother Mary about her story. ⁠ ⁠ “I went through difficult situation of abuse during my time of employment and after that felt God ask me to help other women in these situations. I help them process out of prison, help them with needs, visit them while they are in prison, and get plane tickets for them to go back to their home countries. Many of you have been an important part of this work by allowing me to get plane tickets for these women.⁠ ⁠ The women are in prison because they ran away from their “employers.” They left Africa with the understanding that they would work cleaning homes and being nannies for families. However, many of them find themselves in abusive situations: passports taken from them, not allowed to leave the home, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and no pay. Out of desperation they run away from the home. When the police pick them up off the streets, they take them to be held for not having their passports. Then I am notified, and I help them negotiate with the “employers” for the passports and help the women get plane tickets back to their countries.⁠ ⁠ Occasionally domestic workers become pregnant due to many different situations and it is a crime to be unmarried and pregnant here. I have been able to help many women get home with their babies, which is a miracle!” ⁠ ⁠ Mother Mary has taught many classes in this prison and has provided invaluable emotional support to hundreds of women. We are incredibly grateful for our donors who have helped purchase plane tickets to help these brave survivors return home to their families. The O.U.R. Aftercare Team works with in-country aftercare partners to ensure that each survivor has a ride home from the airport if needed, access to mental health therapy, a safe home to return to, vocational training, and more.⁠

PART 2/2: This is the team that supported “Jennifer” through the difficult time of being wrongfully imprisoned and separ... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CF27IXqF8U1

PART 1/2: As a newlywed, Jennifer was trafficked far from her home in West Africa to the Mediterranean. We can only imag...

PART 1/2: As a newlywed, Jennifer was trafficked far from her home in West Africa to the Mediterranean. We can only imag...

PART 1/2: As a newlywed, Jennifer was trafficked far from her home in West Africa to the Mediterranean. We can only imagine the heartache she felt as she was exploited for months, missing her husband, and discovering she was pregnant with their child.⁠ ⁠ After suffering much, Jennifer decided to run away to escape the horror that her traffickers put her through every day. But that was not the end of her agonizing trial. She was sent to jail, and her baby sent to an orphanage, due to a lack of documentation to prove where she was from, and who the father of the baby was. Now, after escaping, she had to worry about what may be happening to her baby as she sat in jail. There were many unjust laws working against Jennifer. ⁠ ⁠ O.U.R. worked alongside other partners to help her through this complicated process gathering the necessary documentation to prove her innocence and help her return home. We are thrilled to say, Jennifer and her child were finally allowed to return home. ⁠ ⁠ Jennifer recently reached out to O.U.R., letting us know she might soon be evicted from her home. Her landlord had physically hit her when her rent was late, and she was terrified to face him again. Even more terrifying, was the fear of being on the streets with her precious child. We are thankful she knew she could contact O.U.R. Aftercare for support. We were able to help Jennifer and her baby, and she is now still safe in her apartment. Our team continues to follow up with her to ensure her safety. ⁠ ⁠ Jennifer has a dream to design clothes and learn how to sew. We were able to get her started in some business classes to help her meet her goals. We look forward to watching her flourish!⁠ ⁠ One of the many goals of O.U.R. is to make sure survivors are never exploited again, and receive the care necessary to go back into life safely, and securely. Rescuing is not the end of the mission. When a survivor has a need, we want to do all we can to be there, helping, and lending support however we can. ⁠ ⁠ Survivor care is just the beginning...the real heroes are the actual survivors. It is their strength and courage that leads them into a life of freedom, and a testimony to encourage others.

PART 1/2: As a newlywed, Jennifer was trafficked far from her home in West Africa to the Mediterranean. We can only imag... was originally published here https://www.instagram.com/p/CF0f0xPleB0