We are excited to welcome Jacob Ostler to the Libertas International Podcast!

Jake is a therapist from Utah who works with human trafficking survivors, survivors of torture, and survivors of ritualistic abuse.

In this podcast, Jake details his vast educational background at the University of Utah and Vanguard University as well as his travels fighting human trafficking across Africa, Nepal, Thailand, Mexico and here in the United States.

Additional Notes

Human Trafficking in Utah - https://www.standard.net/police-fire/2024/jun/22/human-trafficking-in-utah-happens-daily-and-local-police-are-under-equipped-investigators-say/

Dangers of Voluntourism- https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/17/learning/high-on-helping-the-dangers-of-voluntourism.html

Human Trafficking in Nepal-https://freedomcollaborative.org/newsletter-archive/ngos-drive-efforts-to-improve-on-nepals-tier-2-status

Human Trafficking in Thailand-https://ecpat.org/story/trafficking-in-thailand-the-demand-fuels-child-trafficking-for-sexual-purposes/

What is Ritual Abuse?- https://www.rasasc.org.uk/ritual-abuse/

Child Marriage in the United States- https://www.unchainedatlast.org/child-marriage-in-the-u-s/

We are back with another episode of the Libertas International Podcast! 

This time, we are back with Benny Yu, the Founder of El Pozo de Vida and 27 Million. He holds a Masters Degree in Theology and has spoken all over the world about the life saving work he does at El Pozo de Vida. 

Based in Mexico City, Benny details in this story his history of abuse, how he deals with organized crime, and how faith plays a key role in what he is trying to do at EPDV. 

He is also the author of Painful Miracles, a book about his life and the works of God in El Pozo de Vida. 

We are grateful for Benny for being a true pioneer in this field and for sharing his time with us! 

Links Below
https://27million.com/our-team/

https://www.elpozodevida.org.mx/

https://www.amazon.com/Painful-Miracles-Walking-Miraculous-Breakthrough-ebook/dp/B095BXMDXV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ZFA2VFZ1SZ4G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.05mjlXGU340mnmrm0B61Nefcu3hISPmDjBrpRjB2a_2KMN_lOQMibbPfDYZcyVBdTgG4W5mx2Yr7kkzsPMw7PH6PAlbTIlsUkWbs9KmdOpZYXUpxHhiGUz0_cqYGbpaLTgvvrb-3B_GUIXnFgTMwi5GfBb2xv8agCbqxikfbiaj_6oSWLZKO46Tf76I0AYtk.Bfwk2IatS_Xx1HBCfLP5vZ1V1nlOVFUoj5KoPcZCvpo&dib_tag=se&keywords=benny+yu&qid=1731895650&sprefix=benny+yu+%2Caps%2C350&sr=8-1

Welcome back to the Libertas International Podcast!

This week we talk with Tyson Wright, Founder of the International Coalition for Prevention and Empowerment.

Tyson talks about duty, and how he started this NGO due to promises he made to people who very much desired knowledge for prevention. During the interview he talks about how prevention matters, his work in Panama and Ecuador,  his work with indigenous people, addresses some controversial  topics regarding prevention, and how people can get involved in ensuring that prevention is something that is developed in communities over a long span of time.

As Tyson states, it really is a fight that everyone can be involved in. 

Here are some more information about human trafficking prevention and Tyson's NGO.

https://preventempower.org/our-story
https://cdapress.com/news/2024/sep/27/run-for-human-trafficking-victims/

https://panama.iom.int/en/news/panama-committed-fight-against-trafficking-persons-0

https://www.oas.org/ext/en/security/crime-prevention-network/Recursos/Multimedios/shame-silences-ecuadors-indigenous-people-trafficked-for-sex

https://www.alaskachildrenstrust.org/blog/unraveling-the-stories-of-sex-trafficking-innbspalaska

Bienvenidos a otro episodio del podcast de Libertas International, donde abordamos temas de justicia, protección y esperanza para las víctimas de trata de personas. Hoy tenemos el honor de contar con una invitada muy especial, una mujer increíblemente valiente que ha transformado su dolor en acción. Sarah Nicolle Gómez es una sobreviviente de trata de personas que, a pesar de haber enfrentado momentos inimaginables, ha decidido luchar por el bienestar de otras niñas y mujeres.

En este episodio, Sarah compartirá su inspiradora historia de supervivencia, cómo trabaja para proteger a las más vulnerables, y su compromiso con llevar a los abusadores ante la justicia. Además, nos hablará sobre cómo se está preparando para seguir sirviendo en el futuro y continuar su lucha por la libertad y la dignidad de todas.

Prepárense para una conversación poderosa, llena de resiliencia y esperanza. No se lo pierdan

Mas noticas sobre Sarah y Proyecto Bat Bridge.

https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/former-austin-teacher-sentenced-7-years-illicit-sexual-conduct-colombia-after-hsi

https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/former-austin-isd-teacher-sentenced-seven-years-prison-illicit-sexual-conduct-colombia

https://www.telemundocentraltexas.com/2022/09/16/arrestan-hombre-de-texas-por-viajar-colombia-para-tener-relaciones-sexuales-con-menores/

https://www.elespectador.com/investigacion/la-condena-a-un-pedofilo-estadounidense-que-fue-a-medellin-de-turismo-sexual/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFMFztleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHclTvEPoa4D9OfiJ7SSZzGMyaQjO6kJMjH2sP97JBmB5rXLcf1Aol-OUYQ_aem_FOqnyQkXF_99Hj6PlgMdVA

We are honored to welcome DEA Agent Steve Murphy to the Libertas International Podcast! 

Steve Murphy is a retired DEA agent renowned for his pivotal role in the pursuit and eventual capture of the infamous Colombian drug lord, Pablo Escobar. Born in the United States, Murphy joined the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the 1980s and was stationed in Colombia during the height of Escobar's reign of terror. Alongside his partner, Javier Peña, Murphy worked tirelessly to dismantle Escobar's Medellín Cartel, which was responsible for a significant portion of the cocaine trafficked into the United States during that era.

Murphy's efforts, often at great personal risk, contributed significantly to the DEA's operations in Colombia and the eventual downfall of Escobar in 1993. His experiences during this tumultuous period were later dramatized in the popular Netflix series "Narcos," where actor Boyd Holbrook portrayed him.

Following his retirement from the DEA, Murphy has become a public speaker, sharing his experiences and insights on law enforcement, international drug trafficking, and the challenges of combating organized crime. He also co-authored a book titled "Manhunters: How We Took Down Pablo Escobar," which provides a detailed account of his and Peña's roles in the high-stakes operation against the Medellín Cartel.

Steve joins the podcast to talk about the search for Pablo Escobar but also to talk about working with law enforcement in a different country and how to avoid the appearance of the "ugly" American. He also talks about how to stay brave in the fight vs. evil in the modern day as he did when he was facing one of the most evil men that has ever walked the earth.

Trailer for Narcos-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl8zdCY-abw

Link to the Game of Crimes Podcast-https://gameofcrimespodcast.com/

Additional Articles about Steve Murphy

https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/from-small-town-cop-to-narcos-legend-ashburn-resident-talks-about-his-career/article_eaceac5e-e799-11ea-a341-4fdb96bfe979.html

https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/meet-the-dea-special-agents-who-helped-bring-down-pablo-escobar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4C17dgJ6eQ

In this episode, Tyler details the crimes of the late pedophile Abel Fernandez, who took his life in 2023.

Abel was a fake English teacher in Medellin, Colombia where he would use threats and abuse to control vulnerable girls in Colombia. He was arrested in Project Beartooth.

Tyler talks about his crimes, his death, and how his case details how Libertas works in Colombia and also how predators around the world use normal professions to gain access to vulnerable children.

Below are news articles talking about Abel and his crimes.

libertasinternational.org

https://www.cibercuba.com/noticias/2021-09-06-u1-e129488-s27061-cubanoamericano-detenido-colombia-habria-explotado-abusado

https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/america-latina/colombia-es/article254003463.html

https://www.wral.com/detienen-a-hombre-que-presuntamente-abus-y-explot-sexualmente-al-menos-a-70-menores-en-colombia/19860755/

https://caracol.com.co/emisora/2021/09/03/medellin/1630695702_859629.html

We are back with another episode of the Libertas International Podcast!

This weeks guest takes us to Africa, multiple countries in Africa with the Founder of My Sister's House Rochelle Sellers.

Rochelle has been fighting poverty for over 20 years working all over Africa to empower women and children. Her journey takes her to Ethiopia, Uganda, Sierra Leone, etc.

In this episode she talks about a personal tragedy that occurred when she was a young girl that left her orphaned. And how that experience has shaped her and the work that she continues to put forth this day.

She also talks about her faith, and what it means to her when serving the most vulnerable in Africa.

For more information on what we discussed in this podcast please visit the following links.

A short summary of child sacrifices in Uganda
https://www.worldvision.org/blog/5-things-need-know-child-sacrifice-uganda

Link to Libertas International
libertasinternational.org

Human Trafficking in Ethiopia
https://www.unodc.org/easternafrica/en/Stories/new-ethiopian-law-on-human-trafficking-and-migrant-smuggling.html

Organ Harvesting
https://worldhope.org/blog-combating-the-evils-of-organ-harvesting/

This week, Tyler talks about a case from last year called "Project Fisherman" where Libertas International was asked to collaborative with the US Embassy in Peru and the Peruvian National Police to rescue a young boy who was being trafficked on TikTok.

This story is not unique in the abuse that it talks about. Abuse is common on almost all social media platforms, which some companies doing very little to stop the abuse as they continue to make money from it. Over the last 4 years companies like Airbnb, Visa, Mastercard, Meta, etc. have all been called out for profiting off the abuse of children. In this story, TikTok was the company in question.

Join us on this episode to listen to Project Fisherman and the rescue of this 10 year old boy.

Additional Information

libertasinternational.org

A New Article about Project Fisherman
https://www.infobae.com/peru/2023/11/24/sujeto-que-abusaba-sexualmente-de-nino-y-compartia-los-videos-en-tiktok-fue-capturado-en-comas/

Human Trafficking in Peru
https://www.consulado.pe/es/NuevaYork/asistenciaconsular/Paginas/Lucha-contra-la-trata-de-personas-y-trafico-de-migrantes.aspx

It is our great honor to be welcoming Dr. Becca Johnson to the Libertas International Podcast! This episode discusses how Dr. Johnson got involved in the fight against human trafficking, the places she's been, the training she provides and how trauma sensitive care is essential when working with survivors of human trafficking.

Dr. Becca Johnson is a recognized and respected leader with a passion to help the hurting heal. With over 25 years of experience as a licensed psychologist she brings a unique perspective and set of skills that enable a holistic approach to recovery and restoration for survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation. Currently, Dr. Johnson serves as the International Training Director for Rescue: Freedom International, a non-profit organization that empowers the rescue and restoration of those trapped in sexual slavery and prevents exploitation. As a sought after expert, she has provided training for those working with victims of sexual abuse, human trafficking, and exploitation. She trains on topics such as trauma care and recovery to programs globally and has provided training for International Justice Mission (IJM), Shared Hope International, Salvation Army and many other organizations. Last year alone she trained over 2,000 social workers, care providers and clinicians from 45 countries in workshops and clinics held in 14 countries. Dr. Johnson is the clinical advisor for Engedi Refuge, a recovery home for sexually exploited women. She has provided individual and group therapy as well as training for their staff and volunteers. Since 2006, she has consulted and trained on sex-trafficking victim aftercare for Agape International Mission (AIM), both in the United States and abroad. She is actively involved with Royal Family KIDS (in both North and South America) and Teen Reach Adventure Camp - camp, club, and mentoring programs for abused and neglected children in the foster care system. Dr. Johnson also founded TRuST (Trauma Recovery for Survivors of Trafficking), a collaborative anti-trafficking network of mental health professionals. Dr. Johnson is the author of books on child abuse (For Their Sake: Recognizing, Responding and Reporting Child Abuse, ACA, 1991), guilt (Good Guilt, Bad Guilt, IVP, 1996) and anger (Overcoming Emotions that Destroy, co-authored with Chip Ingram, Baker Books, 2008). Becca and her husband live in Bellingham, Washington (USA) and have five grown children.

You can find Dr. Johnson's books here- https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Hope-Overcoming-Abuse/dp/0998980005

Work that Dr. Johnson has been a part of in aftercare facilities around the United States. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/crime/2019/12/22/safe-house-aims-to-help/2030536007/

https://cseinstitute.org/dawns-place-hosts-human-trafficking-training-clinical-treatment-focus/

As always, website to Libertas International-libertasfreedom.org 

Mitchell Schwab is the Libertas International legal consultant and has been with the organization since its inception. While he has always been involved in the fight, he had never traveled outside of the US to meet the survivors he has served for so long.

Until now.

Mitchell describes in detail what it was like of him to travel to Colombia to meet the survivors that called Libertas home, to meet our law enforcement partners and to experience all that Colombia has to offer. He shares his eye witness account of what it was like to see the work for the first time in person.

Mitchell possesses an MBA and a law degree from the University of Wyoming and has worked in the charter school space for a number of years, setting up charter schools in places like North Carolina, Arizona, and Wyoming.

He was the co owner of Denali Law Firm. He is also legal counsel for Libertas International and leads the collaboration for the Board of Directors.

Mitchell detailing his work in the Charter School space- https://svinews.com/sv-attorney-mitchell-schwab-appointed-to-new-charter-board/

He is a former college basketball player at West Hills College in California and University of Montana.