This year’s International Day of Women, taking place on Monday, March 8, has a unique theme: “How to achieve equality in a COVID-19 world.” The UN Women Organization writes, “Women stand at the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis, as health care workers, caregivers, innovators, community organizers and as some of the most exemplary and effective national leaders in combating the pandemic. The crisis has highlighted both the centrality of their contributions and the disproportionate burdens that women carry.” 

In addition, human trafficking and domestic violence survivors (both predominantly women) have also experienced additional challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As job, food and housing security decreases, trafficking recruitment increases. Vulnerable populations who may be struggling could see the promise of money and housing from a trafficker as a benefit during this time. In addition to trafficking recruitment going up, the nature of trafficking has shifted. Trafficking has learned quickly how to adapt virtually. One webcam company that streams sexual acts and stripping reported a 37% increase in “models” signing up for the site last March. The pandemic has forced more women and girls further into isolation and away from mandatory reporters, support groups, community and resources.

We pray that International Day of Women encourages  leaders around the world to analyze the inequal burden placed on women due to the pandemic and create a plan for how they can help. This is a great place to start. 

We also pray this day can be used to highlight the work accomplished by strong, faith-driven female leaders, including one new member of the Reclaiming Hope board: Carolyn Sampson. 

Carolyn is a business owner, speaker, event facilitator, coach and trainer from Colorado who specializes in working with business owners, CEOs and entrepreneurs. She has run the coaching and leadership program for the Global Youth Leadership Summit for the last eight years. She is  passionate about empowering teens to find and utilize their God-given gifts to improve all areas of their lives, starting with relationships and communication. Carolyn has served with the following organizations over the years and also has certifications and practical experience helping women recover from trauma.

1. Marian House Soup Kitchen
2. YMCA women’s shelter
3. Salvation Army Board
4. Habitat for Humanity
5. Fellowship of Christian Athletes

We are so excited to have her wise counsel and experience on our team. When asked about her hope for Reclaiming Hope, Carolyn says, “My goal is to utilize my skills and experience to help Reclaiming Hope grow and innovate to massively impact the lives of those affected by trafficking. My hope for the people impacted by Reclaiming Hope is that each one would know and experience firsthand the love, protection, and healing of God. That through their relationship with Reclaiming Hope, they would find hope, guidance and a trusted friend and resource for their journey.” 

Please join us in giving a heartfelt welcome to Carolyn! This International Day of Women, we’re celebrating the female leadership who guide us in making equality, hope, support and healing a reality for human trafficking survivors. 

In Christ, 
Sues Hess 
Executive Director

IN THE NEWS AND RESOURCES

TEEN SUES TWITTER FOR NOT TAKING DOWN TRAFFICKING VIDEO 
The National Center on Sexual Exploitation Law Center has filed a federal lawsuit against Twitter for its complicity in sex trafficking by knowingly distributing and profiting from child sexual abuse material of a survivor of trafficking fraud and coercion.  

37 PEOPLE ARRESTED IN ARIZONA
A sting operation between multiple Arizona police departments, Homeland Security and the Arizona Attorney General’s Office caught 37 men and women between the ages of 21 and 66 involved with child sex trafficking.

TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING 
Colorado-based nonprofit, Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), says it has trained more than one million truckers across the country since the organization was founded in 2009.

COLORADO COUPLE PROSECUTED
Two Fort Collins residents have been sentenced to federal prison after they pleaded guilty to operating a prostitution ring out of the Denver Tech Center.

FREE RESOURCE ADDRESSING PORNOGRAPHY
This resource is written specifically for pre-teens to help them understand the dangers of online predators and how pornography is tied to human trafficking. It’s a resource promoted by a member of the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado.  

PRAYER REQUESTS 
  • Praise for mentees whose trust, transparency and hope grow over the course of their mentor relationships!
  • One mentee has started counseling and is thrilled with the support and unconditional acceptance she has received. 
  • Please join us in praise! We conducted our first mentor training in 2021 and are excited about the love and hope these mentors will provide to those in our mentorship program. 
  • Pray for the families who join our Family Support group seeking healing for their own trauma. If you know of anyone needing this kind of group support, please put them in touch with us. 
Reclaiming Hope is relaunching our coordinated prayer efforts. Please let us know if you would like to receive our twice monthly email prayer notifications. We will resume meeting the last Thursday each month at 6 p.m. at the office beginning March 25. Please email for more info: info@reclaiming-hope.org