Imagine a world where a human trafficker no longer had a client to do business with—a world where no one is in captivity. This is the aim of the 2023 top-rated nonprofit, The Exodus Road. Their organization strives to fill in the gaps between the limitations of law enforcement globally by identifying victims of human trafficking, equipping communities to protect the vulnerable, and empowering survivors as they walk into freedom.
Partnership with law enforcement is vital to nonprofits like The Exodus Road.
According to Matt Parker, Chief Strategist and Co-founder of The Exodus Road, the only way human trafficking can be successfully dismantled is by “making trafficking a dangerous crime to commit. This means we have to identify and arrest traffickers and perpetrators, and the only way we can do that is in partnership with law enforcement.”
The role police play in rescuing survivors and bringing trafficking to an end is indispensable. Without arrest authority, civilians have no one to rely on for lasting change in the world.
The Issue
The Exodus Road states on its website that “human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery.” The site continues, “There are more people trapped in slavery today than at any other point in human history: 43% of human trafficking victims are in forced labor; 13% of human trafficking victims are being exploited in the commercial sex trade; 44% of human trafficking victims are in forced marriage.”
During an interview with Law Enforcement Today, Parker also mentioned that over 75% of the global cases The Exodus Road pursues originate online, primarily affecting children. As a result of this rampant abuse, teenage suicide and mental health issues are on the rise. Given these statistics, the nonprofit focuses on digital safety and aftercare treatment.
Filling in the Gap
Since law enforcement is often underfunded, understaffed, and undertrained in this specific discipline, there is a giant need for nonprofits to support units that specialize in human trafficking to “have a greater impact in the community.”
To fill this gap between law enforcement’s limitations, society must understand the need for well-trained and well-equipped police. This requires extensive training for officers so they can learn to identify victims of human trafficking who often get mistaken as runaways or participants in prostitution. Parker stressed that “it takes advanced training to notice the forced coercion,” and IT lacks advanced capabilities.
Thankfully, their strategic alliance identifies these gaps and brings them one step closer to ending human trafficking by preventing the exploitation of many through just one arrest.
The Scope of Impact
Since its founding in 2012, the Exodus Road has operated in six countries globally and has freed 2,500 men, women, and children survivors of labor, sex, or joint trafficking cases. The organization has supported the arrest of over 1,200 traffickers and trained more than 25,000 officers and citizens to be able to combat the issue of trafficking in their communities.
They believe that a survivor needs access to various resources in the legal system. Preston Goff, VP of Global Communications at The Exodus Road, mentioned, “[the survivors] need access to advocacy in the legal system and to arrest their perpetrator, all of which is paramount to what is considered a successful intervention.”
In 2024, The Exodus Road will bring law enforcement and community training (called Influenced) into Florida. They plan to “train the state guard to leverage advanced capabilities in partnership with law enforcement officers, and we are closing in on agreements to bring Influenced training into the state to vulnerable populations and communities,” according to Parker. “This is about digital safety for teenagers, but it’s about a conversation facilitation between parents and teens about how to stay safe and the dangers on social media,” he said.
Addressing Criticisms
Due to the sensitive nature of the issue, groups fighting sex trafficking often face criticism regarding fundraising or misconduct of a representative who is associated with the cause.
That is why The Exodus Road has made it accessible to find its financials online to maintain integrity for all to see via its website. Their statement reads, “We take financial responsibility and transparency seriously at The Exodus Road. That’s why we have an independent financial audit every year, track every dollar given, and use it where designated. We know your trust in us is as valuable as the money you give.”
Take Action:
Empower front-line workers at The Exodus Road today by participating in the Traffickwatch Academy, fundraising toward freedom, volunteering as an undercover operative, and staying current on local training.
To learn more about these resources and opportunities, click HERE.
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