Humanity United and NoVo Foundation Launch Pathways to Freedom to Support City Anti-Trafficking Leadership and Innovation

Every year in the U.S., thousands of women, men, girls and boys – in cities, suburbs, Native communities, and rural areas across all 50 states and the District of Columbia – are exploited and trafficked for sex and labor. Despite growing awareness of human trafficking, significant gaps remain in local responses to preventing trafficking and supporting survivors.

Survivors of trafficking often cycle in and out of city systems and services, and their complex histories require a more wide-ranging response than currently exists. Public health, human services, labor, legal, housing, immigration and other systems too often fail to identify individuals at risk of trafficking, and may not have programs that adequately serve victims and survivors currently in their programs. Cities are well-positioned to close some of these gaps.

"Now more than ever, cities and towns must take the lead on protecting and serving those who are most vulnerable in their communities," stated Catherine Chen, Director of Investments for Humanity United. "Pathways to Freedom challenges cities to develop local, systemic solutions to meet these needs."

Historically, most anti-trafficking work has focused on strengthening the criminal justice system. While law enforcement agencies play a critical role in the investigation of cases and prosecution of traffickers, this approach fails to address prevention and the many services survivors need. And, this problem is even more urgent now. "It is especially troubling that the criminal justice system that should protect trafficking victims is now one they may fear," cautioned Chen. "With the increased threat of deportation, immigrant communities may become more vulnerable to trafficking and less likely to seek help from law enforcement, report their trafficker, or access services."

"Survivors remain severely underserved, and many – especially survivors of color, Indigenous survivors, immigrant survivors, LGBTQ youth, people with disabilities, and those struggling with addiction – are too often overlooked," stated Puja Dhawan, Director, Initiative to End Violence Against Girls and Women at the NoVo Foundation. "By elevating the voices of survivors, Pathways to Freedom also seeks to challenge assumptions about who trafficking survivors are and how they are impacted by this horrific violation of their human rights." 

To encourage and support innovative city-wide responses that reach all survivors of human trafficking, Pathways to Freedom begins today with a city competition. Twenty-four U.S. cities within the 100 Resilient Cities network will compete and three winning cities will be awarded funding for a senior fellow. Winning cities will be selected based on their commitment to a comprehensive and holistic anti-trafficking approach, robust community engagement strategies, and city leadership support for the fellow.  

Fellows will serve directly in municipal government and work across multiple city agencies and with a range of community stakeholders to create and implement a city-wide policy blueprint on human trafficking in their cities. Funded for two years, the fellows will collaborate with one another, and their work will be featured on the Pathways to Freedom platform and shared with city leaders and service providers in other cities.

"Human trafficking is a critical issue for many cities in the United States. 100 Resilient Cities is pleased to partner with Humanity United to provide this important opportunity to our network of cities throughout the United States," said Otis Rolley, Regional Director for North America at 100 Resilient Cities. "Through partnerships like this, 100 Resilient Cities aims to foster more resilient, inclusive, and safe cities for all."

Applications for the Pathways to Freedom city challenge will be accepted until October 20, 2017. Final winners will be announced in early 2018.

Learn more at https://pathwaystofreedom.org or follow #PathwaysFreedom on Facebook and Twitter.

About Humanity United
Humanity United is a foundation dedicated to bringing new approaches to global problems that have long been considered intractable. We build, lead, and support efforts to change the systems that contribute to problems like human trafficking, mass atrocities, and violent conflict. HU is part of the Omidyar Group, which represents the philanthropic, personal, and professional interests of the Omidyar family.
Website: www.humanityunited.org 
Facebook: /humanityunited/
Twitter: @humanityunited

About NoVo Foundation
NoVo Foundation is dedicated to building a more just and balanced world. Founded in 2006 by Jennifer and Peter Buffett, NoVo has become one of the largest private foundations in the world to support initiatives focused explicitly on girls and women, including a dedicated focus on ending violence against girls and women and supporting adolescent girls.  NoVo also works to advance social and emotional learning, support Indigenous communities and promote local living economies.
Website: www.novofoundation.org 
Facebook: /NoVoFoundation/ 
Twitter: @NoVoFoundation

About 100 Resilient Cities
100 Resilient Cities—Pioneered by The Rockefeller Foundation (100RC) helps cities around the world become more resilient to the physical, social, and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century. 100RC provides this assistance through: funding for a Chief Resilience Officer in each member city who will lead the resilience efforts; resources for drafting a resilience strategy; access to private sector, public sector, academic, and NGO resilience tools; and membership in a global network of peer cities to share best practices and challenges.
Website: www.100resilientcities.org 
Facebook: /100ResilientCities 
Twitter:@100ResCities

CONTACT: Tania Stewart, 1-202-478-6174, [email protected]

SOURCE Partnership for Freedom

Related Links

https://pathwaystofreedom.org