Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Over 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
- An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a single year.
- Nearly 1 in 10 women (9.4%) in the US have been raped by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
- Those are staggering facts. (from thehotline.org)
Did you know that victims can be forced and/or coerced into trafficking through domestic violence? No one deserves to live in a constant state of fear. Domestic violence must be dealt with.
Violence isn’t just physical abuse but can also be emotional and psychological. The tongue can be very sharp, indeed. Save me, Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. – Psalm 120:2
People can be scarred for life by their loved ones, let alone by strangers.
At our Annual Fundraising Dinner next Friday, October 11, we will have the privilege of hearing from Theresa Flores. When she was 15 Flores was allegedly drugged and raped by a male classmate. The rapist’s cousins took pictures of the attack and used it for sexual blackmail.
Theresa’s story is that of an all-American teenager who survived being a sex slave while living at home in an upper middle class Michigan suburb. She was stalked, intimidated, sexually blackmailed, sold and broken in mind and body. Out of shame, guilt, and fear of what would happen to the rest of her family, Theresa stayed silent. The trafficking stopped when her family moved.
Theresa is a prolific speaker – join us on October 11 to hear how she redefined her future after healing from her trauma. Limited tickets are still available at: www.reclaiming-hope.org
And we invite you to join the Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado, which meets in our office (615 Wooten Road) the 2nd Tuesday each month, 5:45-7:15 pm!
We are grateful for all who support us – through time, donations, holding donation drives, and prayers. You make our work and impact possible. And you help to heal the wounds of violence.
Blessings,
Sues Hess, Exec. Dir., and the RHope Team
We are only a week away, so don’t wait to get your tickets!
What Can I Do?
Donate Items for Christmas Stockings
Join the Annual Human Trafficking Symposium
Prayer
Thank You
Thank you to all who have supported Reclaiming Hope in the past month. A special shoutout to our Walking in Hope Sponsors. Thank you for making this event possible!
El Pomar Foundation
Olson Plumbing and Heating
Peak Producers – Pikes Peak Top Real Estate Agents
Human Trafficking in the News
Click the headlines to learn more.
Kids Are Using AI to Violate Their Peers – and Microsoft’s GitHub is the Cause… Boys at her high school were using images of their female peers’ faces and editing them onto AI-generated nude bodies.
7 Surprising Facts About Human Trafficking in Colorado… Human trafficking is a complex crime that is often misconstrued by the media and Hollywood. While many people associate trafficking with distant places or dramatic abductions, the reality is far closer to home.
What do Diddy, Bill Cosby, & Trump have in common?… Their victims all filed sexual assault claims against them under the New York Adult Survivors Act just before it expired.
If you would like to host a donation drive to help Reclaiming Hope prepare for the busier summer season for the Hope Bag Program, please reach out to info@reclaiming-hope.org or call 719/425- 9405 Tues – Fri : 10am – 4pm.