Eight Things You May Not Know About Trafficking & Three Easy Ways to Help

By: Bailee Clark “They are hidden from view. You don’t recognize them in the back kitchens, shops, gas stations, and in hospitality. They are also tucked away in fields…It’s a different kind of slavery than long ago.”—Dr. Lucy Steinitz, Senior Technical Advisor, Catholic Relief Services Human trafficking is an epidemic that has been steadily increasing since 2010 because it is …

Interception – February 2020

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Interception, Just Ask Prevention Foundation’s magazine. In the ongoing fight to bring an end to human trafficking, this publication is another outlet to connect with our supporters, spread awareness, and share relevant information and success stories.    

How to Advocate for Survivor Protections in Virginia

By Aashna Sawhney, President of Just Ask’s Student Advisory Council Through my volunteer work with Just Ask Prevention and the Student Advisory Council, I have had the opportunity to learn so much about trafficking awareness.  I am often surprised at how much more information there is to learn on this very serious matter. Recently, I was researching state protections for …

Medical community puts new emphasis on addressing trafficking victims

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as seen on Inside NoVA January 24, 2020. Author: Scott McCaffrey for the Sun Gazette Newspapers The medical community could – and perhaps should – be on the front lines in helping to combat sexual-based human trafficking, especially of young people, but few in the profession have the specific knowledge to ask the right questions and follow up appropriately. A recent …

The Put Trafficking Victims First Act of 2019

By Elizabeth Lee Background On February 7, 2019, the House of Representatives passed an important bill entitled Put Trafficking Victims First Act of 2019. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Karen Bass (D, CA), introduced it to the House on January 11, 2019. The bill passed 414-1, indicating the significant bipartisan support for this issue. Rep. Bass’ co-sponsor was Rep. Ann Wagner …

Solving an Epidemic: Human Trafficking in America

Read the full statement presented by Bill Woolf. Congressional testimony in front of the House Rules Committee, Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process regarding human trafficking epidemy in America, was given by Bill Woolf, Executive Director for Just Ask Trafficking Prevention Foundation. Summary In such testimony, Mr. Woolf spoke about his findings derived from training and research, as well as …

Human Trafficking and Retail

By Kassandra Jones It’s official. We are now in the midst of “the most wonderful time of the year.” The holiday season has begun and the usual hustle and bustle of retail centers, has evolved into that joyous, yearly frenzy known to all as Christmas shopping. However, as masses of shoppers descend upon their local malls, so do those with …

Trafficking in Holiday Traffic

by Linda Manson The Thanksgiving rush? I’ll be home for Christmas? The busiest travel days of the year occur during the holiday season. Shepherding the kids, hurrying to flights, not forgetting possessions at TSA checkpoints—it’s easy to ignore your surroundings. However, someone in the same crowd might quietly truly hope you notice them. Human trafficking is the fastest-growing and second-largest criminal industry in the …

Pop-up Brothels and Airbnb: A Disturbing Human Trafficking Trend

By Marilyn Ardis Airbnb is a popular online platform that allows property owners seeking to rent space to connect with potential guests. The company, valued at $31 billion in September of 2017, makes its money by charging service fees to the hosts and guests who use its rental booking site. This short-term rental service, popular with vacationers, boasts that two …

Mail-Order Brides—A Form of Human Trafficking?

By Mariel Branagan Entering “mail-order brides” into any search engine results in a minimum of a half-million entries. The introduction of the internet to the mail-order bride industry created an explosion of supply and demand for women, making it easier for international marriage brokers to reach more people and cheaper to facilitate sales since they don’t need to use paper …