Stories of Rescue, Healing, Hope,…

Presidential Message: Rebecca McDonald

“Our commitment is for the House of WAR to be a sanctuary. We ofter see a spike in the number of 911 scenarios at various times that bring its own dangers to those hiding under a bridge or running for their lives barefoot—or wishing they could. Some stories are messy and still ongoing, and one haunts both my waking and sleeping moments as we continue trying to bring about a resolution. Every life is precious to the WAR family, and we are determined to fight for her.”

Stories of Rescue, Healing, Hope,…

Angel’s Story

The day COVID-19 hit the U.S. in 2020, Rebecca McDonald, founder and president of WAR, Int’l, hid a young woman in her car.

Freedom is costly.

When you help a woman escape exploitation, you see firsthand the devastating loss that comes from fleeing slavery. In leaving behind abuse, women often leave behind everything they’ve ever known. Starting over is exhausting, and is only made worse by navigating the rough waves of trauma and healing. Freedom is not free–it is painfully expensive in a thousand different ways.

Angel had been running barefoot from her traffickers for hours before she secured WAR, Int’l’s number from a national hotline. After she courageously reached out to us, we ran to her aid. Angel was tucked safely away in Becky’s car while we arranged safe housing.

Today, Angel is flourishing. Not only have pro bono lawyers cleared her name of all crimes claimed against her, but she is excelling as a legal secretary, spreading the seeds of justice that were planted in her own life. She has been reunited with her kids. Through your generosity, she has also been provided with a car. Once stereotyped due to riding a bicycle to and from work, Angel now possesses the resources to reflect her inner potential.

Margaret’s Story

Far too often, traffickers aren’t strangers. This was Margaret’s story. Her boyfriend betrayed her, forcing her to sleep with other men in exchange for the drugs that fueled his addiction.

Margaret waited in anguish for an opportunity to escape. Seeing her only chance, she fled while clutching the arm of her teenage daughter. Like so many others, they left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. As the two of them fearfully hid in a hotel, Margaret reached out in faith to WAR, Int’l.

Due to generous contributions to our 911 Rescue Fund, WAR, Int’l was able to respond immediately in Margaret’s hour of need, providing food, clothing, and other basic essentials. We also arranged the transportation that reunited Margaret and her daughter with their family in another city, restoring them to a circle of belonging and protection.

Ramona’s Story

Responding to a call from a federal agency, WAR, Int’l took Ramona shopping for an outfit she could wear to court. Despite unimaginable circumstances and lingering hurt, Ramona had resolved to testify against her traffickers.

We often emphasize how important it is to shed light on the realities of human trafficking and bring perpetrators to justice but forget that it requires real human cost. WAR, Int’l leapt into overdrive to surround Ramona and prepare this courageous survivor to be the key witness against a trafficking ring. Ignoring the attention we attracted by shopping under armed guard, we watched Ramona’s countenance transform from fear to confidence!

Touched by our compassion for her, Ramona whispered, “Why do you care for me when you don’t even know me?”

We at WAR, Int’l love that question! The 911 Rescue Fund allows us to respond, inform, and reach into lives with action. It permits us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We were honored to be a part of Ramona’s story and are so inspired by her resilience.

The Next Story

Because of your generosity, WAR, Int’l is a sanctuary. Together, we partner in the Lord’s work to bestow beauty instead of ashes.

Our 911 Rescue Fund seeks to be the hands and feet of Christ, showing up for survivors in their hour of need. Empowered by your gifts, there is no need to which WAR, Int’l turns a blind eye.

We hide the hunted, clothe the exposed, and nourish the hungry. To those on the run, we provide rest and respite. The hurting are set on a path to healing and the homeless are embraced. Each woman, man, and child is welcomed and grafted into the WAR family.

Behind each of these initiatives is a story of a survivor who was earnestly pursued and wrapped in compassion.

Your generosity will write the next story. Your Giving Tuesday gift will embolden us to continue to intervene, bringing precious survivors out of darkness and into marvelous light.

Contribute to rescue, donate today to our 911 Rescue Fund.

Give online here.

Send a check to:
Women At Risk, International
2790 44th St. SW
Wyoming, MI 49519.

If you write a check, please be sure to note on the memo line that it is for our 911 Rescue Fund.

Safer Internet Day

February 11, 2025

In the European Union – and increasingly around the world – the second Tuesday of February is celebrated as Safer Internet Day. This year, it falls on today, February 11. We are marking today because of the increased impact that the internet has had on trafficking and anti-trafficking efforts in recent decades. Increased accessibility to pornography, anonymous purchasing, and lack of evidence trails have all contributed to the increase in traffickers’ use of the internet to do their business.

There are two major factors that make fighting the use of the internet in trafficking more difficult to fight than other venues traffickers use for business. First, the anonymity of the internet not only gives traffickers a sense of security that they will not be caught, but it makes it much easier for them to impersonate a friend or acquaintance of their target. In addition, one of the biggest concerns for those who fight online trafficking is the high rate of evolution of apps and ways to connect. If a communication app or set of advertisements is flagged and taken down, it can be replaced in just hours. Teaching your children and those in your circles how to be safe on the internet is a constantly evolving process and requires flexibility and resilience.

It is important to note that “internet trafficking” by no means takes place solely in an online limbo. The real, physical violence and trauma to trafficking victims who were groomed or blackmailed via the internet is not diminished by the fact that their process of entrapment – often grooming or blackmail – began online. Concerns about children’s internet safety are growing in universality. In the United States, for instance, there have been attempts in recent years to protect children via legislation at the federal level. The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) was first introduced in 2022 and passed the Senate. It did not achieve a needed majority in the House of Representatives. As a result, there is more work to be done.

Like other trafficking risks, solving the problem of unsafe internet is an issue that needs to be fought on a communal level. Although it can be difficult to talk to children about internet safety, restrictions are necessary to keep them safe from an internet that is not. “I’m a good kid,” they may protest, “don’t you trust me?” It may be helpful to emphasize that of course you trust them, but you do not trust the predators lurking online – and neither should they. Ensuring that your community, your children, and the children in your circles are as informed as possible is one of the most important things you individually can do in order to build the necessary circles of protection. Take time to set up parental controls, establish a culture of openness with online activities, and be a non-judgmental listening ear for your children when they come to you with questions or concerns.There is no better time to begin than today.

CALL TO ACTION~
~Attend Women At Risk, International’s (WAR, Int’l) Civilian First Responder Training Conference, learn more here.
~Attend or host one of WAR, Int’l’s S.T.A.N.D. Classes, learn more here.