On November 14, 2022, Benoit Law Firm, PLLC, joined by Levin Papantonio Rafferty (LPR), filed a lawsuit against Red Roof Inns and Red Roof Franchising, LLC, and other local hotel entities on behalf of a survivor of a severe form of sex trafficking. Allegations by “Jane Doe” include that she was sex trafficked, sexually exploited, […]

View Full Article - Sex Trafficking Survivor Files Lawsuit Against Red Roof Inns

 Sara Kauffman’s presentation was designed to give helpful information to helping professionals who may encounter refugees in their practice areas. Additionally, it provides helpful governmental resources for practitioners to add to their toolboxes. Sara Kauffman, LCSW created this presentation for the SWHELPER Summit in March 2018. Citation Kauffman, Sara. Social Work with Refugees. SWHELPER […]

View Full Article - Social Work with Refugees

Re-conceptualizing restrictive abortion laws with a sex equality framework allow us to identify the limitations of women living in developed nations to act in a free manner with their physical bodies as men do. On many occasions, rules, regulations, and laws are enforced to reduce chaos/harm, but the same is similarly used to limit the […]

View Full Article - Abortion Laws, Feminism, Politics, and Neoliberal Societies in Developed Nations

As we recognize March as Social Work Month, let’s awaken that original passion in each other and build on our strengths and core social work values to make change and lead the way for others to do so as well. My fellow social workers, the time is now to lead the way for our nation regarding human rights and human […]

View Full Article - A Call to Action for Social Workers! The Time is Now to ELEVATE

One year after the death of Sandra Bland on July 13, 2015, the Huffington Post compiled a list of persons who died in jail. In the following twelve month period, there were 811 deaths, most of which were the result of suicide. In fact, 253 detainees committed suicide in the year after Sandra’s death, constituting […]

View Full Article - Increased Inmate Deaths and the Lack of Accountability

The subject of human and sex trafficking has been popular in the media recently. From the recent exposure of celebrities involved in trafficking and sex rings to the implementation of SESTA/FOSTA by the Republican party. Headlines focusing on celebrity figures and politicians silences the voice of vulnerable populations who are predominately impacted by human trafficking […]

View Full Article - Indigenous Women Trapped in Human Trafficking in North America

On this International Women’s Day, let’s applaud the advances made in the fight against gender-based violence this year, but also look to the work that still needs to be done. The #metoo movement saw powerful men held accountable for a range of predatory behavior against women and girls. US states have been finally addressing the […]

View Full Article - Ending Gender-Based Violence in Conflict

The brutal killings of Rohingyas have been confirmed by the international diaspora as being – “The Worlds most persecuted minority”. Rohingya progeny is found in Myanmar with the consistent brutal violence and forced fleeing which has become their daily existence. A very minute spec of Humanity (The Rohingya`s) in the 21st century is in crisis and […]

View Full Article - The Call of the Rohingyas: A 21st Century Holocaust

Survivor groups in Scotland have called on all survivors of abuse in care to take part in an important consultation, allowing individuals to share their views on a possible financial redress scheme for the first time. The consultation has been developed and delivered through a collaboration between a range of partners including survivor representatives (Interaction […]

View Full Article - Scottish Survivor Groups Encourage All Survivors of Abuse in Care to Take Part in a Milestone Consultation

Forty years ago, it wasn’t unusual to find Lois Lee, Ph.D., J.D. wandering the streets and alleys of Los Angeles at 3 a.m.; she even did so while pregnant with her son. Dr. Lee was looking for victims of sex trafficking and those who exploited them. Walking miles along Sunset, Santa Monica and Hollywood Boulevards, the then-24-year-old […]

View Full Article - Rescuing Sex Trafficking Victims

In the wake of violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, Tina Kempin Reuter, director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Institute for Human Rights offers some practical tips on how to confront hate. Know your human rights The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the key document guiding human rights advocacy. It is based on the universality, inalienability, and […]

View Full Article - A Practical Guide on How to Confront Hate

Human trafficking, particularly sex trafficking, has garnered significant attention and resources in recent years. While efforts are being made to provide support services to survivors, one crucial aspect that often receives inadequate attention is employment and training. It is essential to address the barriers that prevent sex trafficking survivors from finding meaningful employment outside the […]

View Full Article - How to Help Human Trafficking Survivors

Feminism continues to be a fraught issue with fractures within the community of feminists, as well as women in general. Yet, feminism is more crucial than ever given the diversity of challenges women are now facing. Feminism has become a focal point again recently largely as a result of the Presidential election and the response […]

View Full Article - Why Feminism is Still Important For Social Workers

The worldwide refugee crisis, largely spurred by the historic mass migration of people from war-torn Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries, are seeking refuge around the world. Many of these individuals are unaccompanied minors and are at even greater risk of exploitation with no social support from their family and sometimes no support from the […]

View Full Article - The Intersection Between the Worldwide Refugee Crisis and Human Trafficking

With the recent change in administration, many questions remain in regard to the potential policy changes that may affect refugees being resettled in the United States, and have already started to affect refugees. Most notable the executive orders that have been recently signed will have an impact on the number of refugees being received, the […]

View Full Article - What Can We Do to Help Support Refugee Resettlement in the United States?

WACO, Texas – Super Bowl festivities in Houston will be in full swing this week as the nation gears up for the NFL’s premier event on Sunday. Thousands of people will pour into the city. Unfortunately, those crowds will include those involved in human trafficking. “We can expect to see an influx of out-of-town victims […]

View Full Article - Four Tips to Help Communities and Churches Battle Human Trafficking

The mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is to safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.  As a Department, we work to combat the heinous crime of human trafficking each day because it robs people of their freedom  It makes our homeland less secure, and it stands in stark contrast to […]

View Full Article - January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month: Join the Fight

There is a worrying trend in popular media, whereby “debate” and “free speech” are becoming synonymous with “listening to hate speech”. This is particularly true regarding two recent votes: for Britain to leave the European Union (Brexit) and for the United States voting for the new president. Some people have suggested that pro-equality activists are […]

View Full Article - Since When Did Human Rights Become a Debate?

As a Wal-Mart employee in Tampa, Florida, David Alvarez was responsible for routinely throwing away food that was past its prime. After completing this task, Mr. Alvarez went home to a dinner of ramen noodles or peanut butter sandwiches, as he could not afford much more on his wage of $9.15 an hour. Although this […]

View Full Article - Working Full Time but Cannot Afford Food

It is starting to feel like a domestic war is brewing. People are taking sides, dividing up into camps. Facebook has become a platform for digital conflict. The tensions among Americans and worldwide, actually are palpable. I recently witnessed an exchange on social media about social justice and how it was a copout. Nuance is […]

View Full Article - Black and Blue: Injustice Is Battering Us All