Emancipation Nation

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In this week’s episode, we welcome Jonathan Turbin to the mic. Jonathan earned his PhD in cultural anthropology at the University of Oregon. Currently, he is the coordinator of Initiatives Against Modern Day Slavery at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Much of their work is geared toward raising awareness while also being actively involved in educating and inspiring individuals to get involved in the anti-trafficking fight. Jonathan organizes art installations, gallery talks, and "activation station's" to promote awareness of human trafficking. The Freedom Center's latest work? Motel X. Learn about Motel X and be thinking of ways you could be creative in promoting human trafficking awareness.

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Today’s episode hosts Christine Stark, whose story began in Part 1. In this episode, Chris talks about how she developed her voice that has helped so many indigenous survivors of trafficking and abuse. She speaks on her own personal account of the trauma she endured, but also on how that propelled her through her life and her work. Chris touches on the traumas indigenous children encountered in boarding school and attempted assimilation, civil litigation for indigenous individuals, and how she continues to keep herself healthy and stable so that she can continue to do the work she does. 

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Today’s guest on the Emancipation Nation Podcast is Christine Stark. Chris is a proud indigenous woman whose passion and need for exposing the truth has elevated her work as well as earned her a master’s degree in fine arts and in social work. Chris is an author, has conducted research, and demonstrated her creativity through art. In Part 1 of her interview, Chris speaks passionately and with some detail on the importance of anti-trafficking advocates to understand the history of enslavement and dehumanization that has taken place and has really never ended. 

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In today’s episode, we are hosting Erin McLoughlin. She works in the Detroit area with the Wayne County SAFE program helping victims of sexual assault and sex trafficking. Erin has been involved in advocacy efforts for about 10 years. She discusses the work of a forensic nurse examiner and the benefits it provides for survivors of sexual assault. She then flips-the-script to wear another hat facilitating a class with “johns” or purchasers of sexual services who have been arrested for soliciting and provides an education about how john schools operate and the men involved. Erin is a warrior, attacking both sides of the issue often in the same day. 

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While sex traffickers more commonly manipulate youth into the commercial sex trade, more and more sensationalized accounts of child abduction into the sex trade have cropped up on Facebook and in news reports. How do we educate parents so that they are aware of all of the ways sex trafficking occurs, particularly those most common ways. And how do we help parents resolve the ever present conflict between being your child's "friend" vs being your child's "parent"? Youth tell trusted others about what is truly happening in their lives. How does a parent become one of those trusted others?

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In this episode of the Emancipation Nation, Sarah Symons, a self-educated, non-profit developer shares her anti-trafficking journey. Sarah shares her insights on what it has been like going from a songwriter for soap operas to owning and operating a non-profit organization that serves 750 girls a year. She was inspired in 2003 by a documentary, The Day My God Died, she watched by chance. Since then, she developed her own non-profit organization based in Nepal and India—Her Future Coalition—that has been built for women in trafficking situations to become empowered, free, and strong. Also, information on an exciting new Emancipation Nation Network coming soon to provide you with ways to connect daily and weekly with anti-trafficking advocates across the U.S. and around the world, along with the ability to take a variety of anti-trafficking focused courses and workshops! 

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With previous law enforcement experience, an undergraduate degree in philosophy, and an MBA, Chris Lim is putting forth his education and experience to focus on macro level anti-trafficking work. In his current endeavor, he has been tasked with creating a statewide human-trafficking protocol for the state of Alabama, and he knows that collaboration between different disciplines is essential to the mission of saving lives. Chris explains to us that acknowledging and understanding the responsibilities and priorities of varying disciplines for the work they do is fundamental to get the job done, so it is of utmost importance to check your ego at the door and to continue to put energy into the why. 

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Dr. Kirby Reutter is a clinical psychologist who works closely with Mexican immigrants at the U.S boarder seeking political asylum who have been exposed to extreme and complex trauma, which often includes human trafficking. Dr. Reutter shares the tragic realties of his clients, and the experiences that spurred these individuals and families to seek asylum in the U.S., and his work with them. The journey to the border itself has been horrifyingly for many, as Dr. Reutter explains through his encounters with his clients. This is a must listen to episode for anyone wanting to better understand why someone would risk their life to seek out a new life in the U.S. 

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In 2020, let's use our voice and our choice to make a difference. Let's recognize those that have helped us along the way and circle back to those that needed us. In 2020, let's commit to be in full flavor and end the new lash of the whip in all of its many forms. 

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In this episode three gifts are offered in preparation for 2020: (1) to speak up in places where others have the power, and to listen more in places where you have the power (2) share the gift of truth with all you know and stop the continued and destructive myths about human trafficking and (3) pick up your FREE youth-focused human trafficking risk tool. This tool will help you assess which youth are most at risk for being trafficked. It is most appropriate for youth ages 12-17 and may be used in schools, juvenile courts, child welfare organizations,weekly youth groups, after school programs and more! Also, feel free to share it!