EMBRACING FREEDOM MINISTRY

EMBRACING FREEDOM MINISTRY IS A FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATION IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS FOUNDED IN 2010 TO RESPOND TO THE HEARTBREAKING EPIDEMIC OF CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING. EMBRACING FREEDOM MINISTRY IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES ADVOCACY TO CHILDREN WHO ARE RECOVERED FROM SEX TRAFFICKING SITUATIONS, WHO ARE FLAGGED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AS POSSIBLE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS, OR WHO ARE AT A HIGH RISK OF BECOMING TRAFFICKED. EMBRACING FREEDOM PROVIDES NUMEROUS SERVICES TO VICTIMS AND TO LOCAL AGENCIES. INTERVENTIONS ALLOW FAMILIES TO SAFELY AND GENTLY ADDRESS A CHILD WHO IS SUSPECTED OF BEING A VICTUM OF TRAFFICKING. EMBRACING FREEDOM CHILD ADVOCATES FUNCTION AS FACILITATORS AND MEDIATORS BETWEEN THE FAMILY AND THE CHILD, AS WELL AS EDUCATING THE CHILD ABOUT WHAT CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING LOOKS LIKE. FREQUENTLY, THESE CHILDREN DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THEM IS TRAFFICKING, SO THIS INFORMATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IN HELPING THE CHILD SELF-IDENTIFY AS A VICTUM, THEREBY MAKING THEM MORE AMENABLE TO ACCEPTING ASSISTANCE. EMBRACING FREEDOM ADVOCATES ALSO MENTOR CHILD VICTIMS AS A PART OF ADVOCACY, CLOSELY FOLLOWING THE CHILD'S JOURNEY FROM BEGINNING TO END. ADVOCATES ATTEND COURT HEARINGS, ARRANGE MEETINGS WITH HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER SERVICES, COMMUNICATE WITH THE FAMILY AND CHILD REGULARLY TO ENSURE PROGRESS AND HEALING, ARRANGE FUN ACTIVITIES FOR THE CHILD, AND ARE AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS ANY ISSUE THAT COMES UP ALONG THE WAY. EMBRACING FREEDOM ALSO WORKS TO COORDINATE LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, CREATING CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION THAT ALLOW FOR QUICK AND DECISIVE ACTIONS WHEN A TRAFFICKED CHILD IS IDENTIFIED. THESE CHANNELS AID IN RESCUE EFFORTS AND IN ATTAINING APPROPRIATE SERVICES FOR CHILD VICTIMS.