Atlas Free

You’re invited: Giving Tuesday is one week away! Mark your calendar with us and get ready for an amazing day of impact. ??? Millions of men, women, and children are trapped in human trafficking right now. But we can do something about it. Next Tuesday, your generosity will have twice the impact in this fight when you give to this mission. With your help, we can bring safety, hope, and freedom to survivors of human trafficking and change generations. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to double your impact on one of our favorite days of the year!

A nine-year-old girl in Mexico was approached by a trafficker. He tried to lure her away, but she said “no.” Why? Because she knew she had a safe place to go—a school in the red-light district run by an Atlas Free Network member. She won’t be bought or sold. Every day, children like her face traffickers who want to exploit them. But thanks to a safe space where she’s protected and empowered, her story is different. This year alone, 1,554 people are receiving life-changing education through the Atlas Free Network. It’s stories like hers that remind us what’s possible when we stop trafficking before it starts. Thank you for being part of her story—and so many others. ??

Last?month, Atlas Free hosted the African Conference on Trauma in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where 46 service providers from across Africa came together to advance healing for survivors of trafficking. See how leaders are collaborating and uniting in the fight against sex trafficking.

After 17 years of advocacy, Colombia has officially outlawed child marriage—a monumental change that promises a brighter future for Colombian girls. For too long, child marriage has stolen their freedom, robbed them of education, safety, and the chance to dream. Now, these girls can stay in school, pursue their ambitions, and grow up in a world where their potential isn’t cut short by a forced marriage. While we celebrate this victory, we must face the reality in the U.S.: child marriage is still legal in 37 states. Loopholes in laws across the U.S. allow children to be married, often with devastating consequences for their futures. According to recent research, nearly 300,000 children as young as 10 were married in the U.S. between 2000 and 2018—mostly girls wed to adult men. We believe in a world where every child is free to be a child—free from exploitation, abuse, and forced marriages. That’s why the Atlas Free Global Network is fighting every day to protect children globally and right here in the United States. Sources: The Guardian, Unchained At Last

Yesterday, Atlas Free was invited to brief House Homeland Security Committee staff in Washington, D.C. on human trafficking trends in the United States. John Richmond, Atlas Free’s Chief Impact Officer and Former U.S. Ambassador to Combat Trafficking, discussed a variety of issues with the committee staff, including vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit, collaboration between government agencies, and congressional solutions to secure the U.S. against the interests of traffickers. Educating and collaborating with staff on the realities of human trafficking will help promote successful policies that create safety and freedom for all. Thank you to the majority and minority staff on the House Committee on Homeland Security for attending this briefing.

This holiday season, we have more ways to give than ever before. When you give, your generosity is stewarded for maximum impact in the fight against sex trafficking. Choose how you want to give: ?? Give Stock ?? Employee Gift Match ?? Donor-Advised Funds ?? Legacy Giving ?? Venmo ?? PayPal ?? Mail a Check ?? Give Monthly: Join Team Freedom! Go to https://lnkd.in/gJtcuSNH to see all the ways you can give this year-end to maximize your impact or email us at [email protected]. Our EIN: 16-1773392 PO Box 77 Kirkland, WA 98083

In honor of World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, please share Liya’s* story: At just 15, Liya thought she was escaping one nightmare only to fall into another. Fleeing an abusive home, she found work at a hotel, hoping it was a chance for safety. But what seemed like a new beginning quickly turned into a trap. Her coworkers coaxed her into “making extra money,” and without a support system, Liya felt she had no choice but to follow their lead. For the next ten years, Liya was stuck in a cycle of exploitation. Her traffickers pulled the strings, profiting from her vulnerability, and ensuring she had nowhere else to turn. The world around her looked on with judgment, pushing her further into isolation. Despite it all, Liya raised two daughters. She loved them fiercely but lived in fear, believing they were destined to inherit the same painful fate. The weight of her trauma felt unbearable. Then, everything changed. Last year, Liya found the courage to break free. She reached out for help and joined a rehabilitation program run by an Atlas Free Network Member. It wasn’t easy, but she faced her pain head-on. Today, she’s training in housekeeping, rebuilding her life piece by piece, and daring to dream of a better future for her daughters. Liya’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength survivors carry and the urgent need for safe homes and trauma-informed care. Because of supporters like you, Liya had the chance to protect her daughters, heal from the past, and learn new skills for a fresh start. November 18 is the World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence. Together, we’re creating a world where more children like Liya’s daughters can grow up in safety, surrounded by hope and healing. *Name changed to protect the identity of the survivor.

Make a difference this Black Friday! In just two weeks, everything in the Atlas Free Shop will be on sale! Make an impact with every purchase and look great while doing it. This holiday season, shop for gifts that truly matter. Every item you buy helps to end human trafficking by creating safety, independence, and hope for survivors of sex trafficking around the world. ?? Every purchase supports safety and freedom for men, women, and children. ?? You can see who made your shirt, all ethically made by KNOWN SUPPLY. ?? All products are fair trade certified, ensuring dignity and fair wages for every person involved. When you shop with us, you’re bringing freedom to others, not just today—but every day of the year. Visit shop.atlasfree.org to get your wish list started.

Prevention matters. It saves lives before they’re endangered, planting seeds of freedom and hope. Every step we take in this fight leads to one less life in harm’s way. You can make life safer for girls. Not just for safety’s sake but for the sake of more opportunity, possibility and dignity. *Name changed to protect the identity of Noi.

Fighting sex trafficking is for everyone. Because this issue demands all of us to get involved. It’s up to each of us to show up in this fight. And this fight needs you. Yes, you. The truth is that lives change when you get involved and give today. For millions, a safe night’s sleep is still just a dream. They are violated, abused, and trapped in sexual exploitation. Every day is a fight for them. But you can help change that. Give a gift today to help men, women, and children sleep in safety this holiday season. Your generosity can help bring survivors into safety. You can provide freedom now. Go to atlasfree.org/donate to give a gift now.