Shared Hope International (SHI) is a non-profit, non-governmental, Christian organization that exists to prevent sex trafficking and slavery.
History Shared Hope International was founded in 1998 by former Congresswoman Linda Smith,“Smith Fights Against Human Trafficking,” Article in The Seattle Times, by Sarah Anne Wright, March 1, 2003 https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20030301/trafficking01m/smith-fights-against-human-trafficking whose visit to a brothel district in Mumbai inspired her to address human trafficking. Congressional Hearing, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight October 21, 2009 Testimony of Linda Smith SHI's early efforts were focused on international sex trafficking, but later work investigated sex trafficking issues within the U.S.
Reports
SHI received a grant from the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, to conduct a comparative examination of sex trafficking in four countries: Japan, Jamaica, Netherlands and the United States. This work resulted in SHI's DEMAND report and documentary.
Follow-up research resulted in the publication of The National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: America's Prostituted Children, which assessed the problems of child sex trafficking across ten locations in the United States.“Study: Sex Trafficking Victims Need Help,” KMBC- TV, June 16, 2008
Programs To build momentum in the international movement against trafficking, Linda Smith founded the War Against Trafficking Alliance (WATA) in January 2001.“New Effort Battles Human Trafficking; Targets Luring of Women, Children,” Article in The Washington Times, by Sarah Shiner, February 23, 2003 WATA coordinated regional and international efforts necessary to combat sex trafficking and conferences around the world.http://www.info.gov.za/issues/humantrafficking/strategy.htm#_ftn1 Statement, Adv. Nolwandle Qaba, Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit, National Prosecuting Authority, South Africa In February 2003, WATA co-sponsored its first World Summit with the U.S. Department of State which brought together leaders from 114 nations, all demonstrating a sustained commitment to prosecute trafficking and provide assistance to victims.“An Interview with Michelle Clark,” Article from theotherjournal.com, by Andy Barnes, January 12, 2004. http://www.theotherjournal.com/article.php?id=38# In 2005, WATA was invited to participate, along with UNIFEM, in the first ASEAN conference to address child sex tourism in East and Southeast Asia.
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