Awareness on World Day Against Trafficking

The U.S. State Department annually releases the Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) in July. This report ranks governments based on their perceived efforts to acknowledge and combat human trafficking.

This year's TIP report shows us that the needs are as great as ever. Romania remains a primary source country for sex trafficking and labor trafficking victims in Europe. More asylum seekers entered the country in 2021 (9,590, up from 6,000 the year before). Many of these migrants are vulnerable to trafficking while in the country where they do not speak the language or know how to protect themselves. We also saw an increase in the number of children trafficked, up to 77% of all identified trafficking victims from 72% in 2020.

This year, Romania moved from a Tier 2 Watch List country to a Tier 2 country, meaning the government is doing more to combat trafficking. We are proud to be partnering with officials in the government to see these efforts increase. Our team met with a high-ranking government official recently and when he heard that our work is fully funded by donors, his eyes lit up. Romanian people and officials alike are in awe that we are willing to invest in their country and their problems, and to partner with them in a well-funded solution that involves empowering Romanians in their own country!

On Saturday, we are joining many others around the world in observing World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This day helps bring much-needed awareness to the "serious crime and a grave violation of human rights" of trafficking. Learn more in this quick video.

This year’s theme of the day focuses on the role of technology. The U.S. State Department reported that Romanian "government officials and NGOs report increased recruitment of children via the internet and social media as a result of the pandemic. Media outlets allege the online sexual exploitation and abuse of girls as young as 12 years old."

Teaching children how to protect themselves is vital to stopping traffickers! That's why we're working to blanket Romania with anti-trafficking resources. We are in continuing conversations with local officials who are connecting us with the right people in the government so we can help influence, impact, and create standards for the prevention of trafficking and aftercare for survivors in the country.

We must remain vigilant to eradicate human trafficking and unlock transformation for its survivors. Thank you for helping us unlock the cage with your support!

Resourcing Anti-Trafficking Advocates Around the World

Our goal at Uncaged is to unlock transformation for trafficking survivors and to work towards ending human trafficking once and for all. Together with experts from around the world, we have been focused on Romania as our strategic first step in blanketing Europe in anti-trafficking efforts.

One key to our strategy is freeing survivors from the effects of trauma and equipping each one for a full, sustainable life. We empower survivors utilizing evidence-based, trauma-informed therapies. Our program integrates the best practices in human trafficking aftercare. We know that we must also share this knowledge and best practice with abolitionists everywhere and are proud to come alongside like-minded organizations to throw open the doors and end trafficking.

We saw this sharing of knowledge and resources happen earlier this year when our Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Vanessa Snyder, was able to collaborate with O.U.R. in West Africa. O.U.R. is working to equip local organizations with the training and tools they need to support survivors of trafficking. Dr. Snyder worked in West Africa to train local groups on how to best help trafficking survivors heal from the complex and compound trauma of trafficking. She trained local collaborators in the group on many parts of the trauma healing process including how trauma affects the brain, behavior, communities, and families.

The staff at O.U.R. said "the impact of this training will have a ripple effect on survivor care throughout the region as the trainees share their experience and knowledge. We are grateful for collaborations like these that facilitate the healing journey for survivors."

Dr. Snyder was excited to be a part of bringing trauma-informed care training to parts of the world that have not been able to experience these types of training before. She said this kind of care is especially important because of the population served there. "It was wonderful being able to engage with leaders, counselors, and pastors doing this work in complex parts of the world," said Snyder, who trained about forty individuals. She noted that some had been child soldiers or had been trafficked themselves, and now they are doing the work to assist survivors in West Africa.

We are excited to see how our team is globally resourcing others with trauma-informed therapies that lead to transformation. This is how we end trafficking in Romania and then in the most desperate parts of the world.

Building Trust and Experiencing Growth

Kim Westfall, Founder of Uncaged told us, "As I think back to my time recently in Romania, I am filled with gratitude and joy. It’s always wonderful to spend time with our incredible team on the ground—Romanian nationals with a passion to see their nation transformed. They work every single day to bring healing and transformation to women and children who have lived through the horrors and abuse of trafficking."

Our Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Vanessa Snyder, and a team of experts joined our team in Romania. They had the opportunity to train individuals in Trauma-Informed Therapies. They got to do more than just talk about therapeutic interventions; they got to see them in action. The team was able to see our brand new ropes course in use, just one of the many tools we are using for holistic care at The Sanctuary.

Here is A Word from Our Experts on our Ropes Course:

At the Sanctuary, we utilize a low elements ropes course for therapeutic interventions that allows our survivors to build trust with others as well as experience interpersonal growth. Individually, the course allows our survivors the opportunity to boost confidence and build self-esteem. They are able to develop both emotional and physical strength as well as trust in self. As a team, they are able to work together and communicate effectively to get through each challenge. Teams will experience conflict and will have to engage in conflict resolution and proper decision making to get through the course. Our survivors are also developing leadership skills such as problem-solving, goal-setting and strategic risk-taking. Research shows short and long-term benefits from ropes course participation including reduction of anxiety, overcoming fear, an increase in self-awareness and self-esteem, as well as building of self and relational trust.

The reality of this experience—there is nothing more impactful than to see a 14-year-old survivor overcome fear to lead a group with courage and power.

Now that you've heard more about our low elements ropes course, see it for yourself! Watch this short video for an introduction to our course. Click here to see a team experience on the course.

Tools like these, in the hands of our experts, are going to bring transformation for hundreds and thousands of precious souls. Thank you for supporting Uncaged and being a part of unlocking healing for shattered hearts!