In this deeply moving episode of Invading the Darkness, Lacey shares her experience navigating the legal system as a trafficking survivor—and the lasting impact it had on her healing. From being retraumatized by the very systems meant to protect her, to becoming an advocate for change, Lacey sheds light on the urgent need for trauma-informed, survivor-centered support in every step of the justice process.

Her story is a powerful reminder that justice must do more than prosecute—it must protect, restore, and truly see the person behind the case.

You can help make the legal system more survivor-centered and trauma informed! Take the Victim-Offender Intersectionality course and share it with criminal justice professionals you know. Visit https://store.sharedhope.org/product/voi/ to get started!

Don’t forget to subscribe @sharedhopeinternational,
follow us on social media, and check out invadingthedarkness.org.
Visit https://invadingthedarkness.org/
Learn more about how you can take action https://sharedhope.org/justlikeme/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST https://sharedhope.org/appealforms/podcastsupport/

Listen now to hear Lacey’s journey and the call to reform systems that were never built with survivors in mind.

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Welcome back to Shared Hope International’s Invading the Darkness podcast where we are elevating and amplify survivor voices and stories. In this powerful episode, Bethany shares how real change begins at the community level. As a subject matter expert and advocate, she speaks truth into the gaps she has witnessed firsthand—and calls on each of us to respond with compassion, accountability, and action.

From law enforcement and local nonprofits to everyday neighbors, Bethany explores what it takes to build survivor-centered, trauma-informed communities that go beyond reacting to trafficking—they work to prevent it. The episode also highlights key resources to strengthen these efforts, including Shared Hope’s Roadmap Report and the RESPOND e-Learning Course.

Bethany’s voice is clear: no one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

Tune in now to hear why community-based responses matter.

Don’t forget to subscribe @sharedhopeinternational,
follow us on social media, and check out invadingthedarkness.org.
Visit https://invadingthedarkness.org/
Learn more about how you can take action https://sharedhope.org/justlikeme/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST https://sharedhope.org/appealforms/podcastsupport/

Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.

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Season 4 Continues! We’re honored to have you join us for another powerful episode of Invading the Darkness where we will hear from Alia.

From being exploited at a young age to now standing in boldness and purpose, Alia’s journey is one of pain, power, and transformation. Her voice is a light in the dark—and her story is a call to all of us to rise up, speak out, and believe that freedom is possible.

Alia’s exploitation began online, where a trafficker preyed on her vulnerability and her need for basic survival. In today’s digital age, knowing how to stay safe online is more critical than ever. That’s why we encourage you to explore Shared Hope’s Internet Safety Toolkit and our Warning Signs of Sex Trafficking resource to help you recognize the red flags and protect those you love.

As a result of her trafficking, Alia came into contact with the criminal justice system and was criminalized for her own victimization—taking the fall for her trafficker’s drug charges. Sadly, this is a common reality for many trafficking survivors. This episode highlights the urgent need for trauma-informed criminal justice responses, which can be the difference between a survivor receiving help—or being further harmed by the system.

To support change, we invite you to explore our Victim Offender Intersectionality (VOI) e-learning course and share it with criminal justice professionals in your life. It’s a critical step toward ensuring that youth like Alia are seen, heard, and supported. You can also use your voice to help end the unjust criminalization of trafficking victims by contacting your legislator. It’s as easy as texting “shared Hope” to 52886 or visiting https://act.sharedhope.org/actioncenter

Following Alia’s powerful testimony, co-hosts Kim and Yvonne unpack the key takeaways from her story and introduce additional tools from Shared Hope, like our Road Map Report, to help you learn more and take action.

Don’t forget to subscribe @sharedhopeinternational,
follow us on social media, and check out invadingthedarkness.org.
Visit https://invadingthedarkness.org/
Learn more about how you can take action https://sharedhope.org/justlikeme/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST https://sharedhope.org/appealforms/podcastsupport/

Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.

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New Season, New Episode!

Join us for Season 4 of Invading the Darkness—where survivor voices lead the way to justice, healing, and change.

In the Season 4 premiere, host and lived experience expert Yvonne is joined by Shared Hope’s Director of Training Advancement and special guest Rita—an advocate and overcomer who shares her powerful journey as a survivor of human trafficking. When Rita realized trafficking was happening right in her own neighborhood, she couldn’t stay silent. From her own survival to now boldly speaking truth in her city, Rita is on a mission to wake up the community and restore what was stolen. Together, they explore how awareness, education, and survivor leadership are essential to ending trafficking.

This episode sheds light on the urgent need for awareness at every level—from community members and educators to service providers and policymakers. Rita discusses how many young victims are misidentified or unaware they’re being trafficked, emphasizing the vital role of education in both prevention and recovery.

In this episode, you’ll hear Rita highlight real-world resources that help turn awareness into action, including Shared Hope’s JuST Training Conference and the White Van PSA and Toolkit—tools designed to equip communities and professionals with practical strategies to identify and prevent trafficking. To learn more about these impactful resources, visit SharedHope.org.

This episode is a powerful reminder that change starts close to home—and it starts with us.

Don’t forget to subscribe @sharedhopeinternational,
follow us on social media, and check out invadingthedarkness.org.
Visit https://invadingthedarkness.org/
Learn more about how you can take action https://sharedhope.org/justlikeme/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST https://sharedhope.org/appealforms/podcastsupport/

Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.

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Join us for a special season 4 pre-release episode of Invading the Darkness. Mikayla and Yvonne take a look back at how Shared Hope has been a leader in the field of anti-trafficking when addressing the issue of demand.

Talking about ending demand is the start of prevention and we want to remind listeners of the amazing work that Shared Hope has been able to accomplish for over two decades. We will always fight for the justice of survivors, but we must start by demanding justice and holing buyers accountable.

To read the full Demanding Justice Report, visit https://sharedhope.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Demanding_Justice_Report_2014.pdf

Take a closer look at what victims endure when buyers exploit minors through sex trafficking—and learn how you can be part of the solution. Access EXPLOITED training today by visiting https://store.sharedhope.org/product/exploited/

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Welcome to "Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking." Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of other survivors in the movement and share valuable insights to help you join the fight against sex trafficking.

In this episode, Kim and Yvonne reflect on Season 3 and the importance of hearing and learning from survivor voices. At the end of the episode, we hear from Shared Hope International's Director of Training Advancements, Mikayla Simeral, about the importance of training and what we can look forward to in Season 4 of the podcast.

Don’t forget to subscribe @sharedhopeinternational,
Follow us on social media, and check out invadingthedarkness.org.
Visit https://invadingthedarkness.org/
Learn more about how you can take action https://sharedhope.org/justlikeme/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST https://sharedhope.org/donate/

Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.

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Welcome to "Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking." Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of other survivors in the movement and share valuable insights to help you join the fight against sex trafficking.

Today, we will hear the second part of a powerful keynote from Shared Hope’s 2023 JuST Conference. In it, Tiffany and two members of her team share her story which exposes the justice system's failure to recognize Tiffany as a trafficking victim: An all-too-common reality for other survivors just like her.

You can use your voice to call for change and advocate for the victims still facing unjust criminalization! Contact your legislator by texting "Shared Hope" to 52886 or visit https://act.sharedhope.org/3EIafNY

Want to attend Shared Hope's JuST Training Conference and hear more inspiring and informative presentations like the one featured in this episode? Visit https://www.justconference.org/ to learn more!

Don’t forget to subscribe @sharedhopeinternational,
Follow us on social media, and check out invadingthedarkness.org.
Visit https://invadingthedarkness.org/
Learn more about how you can take action https://sharedhope.org/justlikeme/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST https://sharedhope.org/donate/

Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.

Support the show

Welcome to "Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking." Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of other survivors in the movement and share valuable insights to help you join the fight against sex trafficking.

Today, we will hear part of a powerful keynote from Shared Hope’s 2023 JuST Conference. In it, Tiffany and two members of her team share her story which exposes the justice system's failure to recognize Tiffany as a trafficking victim: An all-too-common reality for other survivors just like her.

You can use your voice to call for change and advocate for the victims still facing unjust criminalization! Contact your legislator by texting "Shared Hope" to 52886 or visit https://act.sharedhope.org/3EIafNY

Want to attend Shared Hope's JuST Training Conference and hear more inspiring and informative presentations like the one featured in this episode? Visit https://www.justconference.org/ to learn more!

Don’t forget to subscribe @sharedhopeinternational,
Follow us on social media, and check out invadingthedarkness.org.
Visit https://invadingthedarkness.org/
Learn more about how you can take action https://sharedhope.org/justlikeme/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST https://sharedhope.org/donate/

Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.

Support the show