Signing Up for WAR

RE: State Delegation Visit at HQ
Author: WAR Staffer

When I signed on to work at Women At Risk, International, I was intimidated by the sheer magnitude of human trafficking and its ever-growing presence all around the world. On my first day on the job, I sat with a dozen delegates from eight countries who came to WAR, Int’l offices to discuss human trafficking and share experiences, struggles, and solutions in order to learn from each other.

The delegates from Poland, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Ukraine, Hungary, Estonia, Georgia, and Northern Macedonia listened intently as WAR, Int’l founder & president, Rebecca McDonald, discussed the hard-fought victories and heart-wrenching challenges she has faced in her decades of combatting trafficking.

Listening to Rebecca and the delegates speak, I was struck by the common struggles that transcend geography—the elusive corners of the internet, the manipulation of a supposed friend or loved one, and the economic desperation that makes so many people vulnerable to traffickers who promise to provide but prey on them instead.

Rebecca and the delegates also discussed unique struggles in countries ravaged by war or by government upheaval that add layers of complexity to rescue and redefine the meaning of safety and home.

One question asked by a delegate seemed to strike a similar nerve in all. She wondered, with so many to help, so much to do and so many setbacks, how do you keep going? What stops you from giving up? It was an understandable question. Rebecca’s answer was simple. “I celebrate the woman rescued today because I know she is now safe, but my heart breaks for the many still out there and that’s what keeps me going.” Nods of agreement came from all around the table, from Azerbaijan to Ukraine. It’s the thought of the next person in need of rescue and restoration that propels them forward, that keeps them in the fight.

So, when I look at the enormity of trafficking and the many issues that put women and children at risk, I will also picture that table of faces from around the globe, and all the good people they represent, enthusiastically nodding yes, saying we must keep working, keep searching for the next one, and the thousands still out there. Their passion to continue the fight reminds me that while human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world, the army of people willing to wage war on trafficking and support survivors is growing too. I am happy to be joining the ranks.

Whether it’s a necklace or a goat, these guides turn every gift into hope.

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It’s always been my dream…

Author: Liz, a survivor

Liz is a survivor of human sex trafficking. She was groomed and trafficked by a fake boyfriend in her teens. Thankfully, she escaped and is now married to a wonderful man, and they have 2 young boys.

In 2018, I started my clothing line Stolen Angels, Inc. One of my goals was to meet the Detroit Tigers and to partner with them or to be at their game to raise awareness. I wasn’t sure exactly why, but I knew I needed to connect with the Detroit Tigers (the baseball team of my childhood) and draw upon the influence they have in the community. I knew their influence was powerful and nobody was utilizing it. Plus, lots of MEN watch baseball, and I really wanted to reach men on the topic of human trafficking. Lots of trafficking can happen at sporting events (the Super Bowl, etc.) and I literally wanted to bring light smack dab in the middle of where it happens!

It’s always been my dream to be able to be at an actual game. Perhaps, even, one day to meet the team and let them know what a huge influence they have and the difference they are making. When I was doing my clothing line, I had rubber bracelets that had “Stolen Angels, anti-human trafficking advocate” on them. I emailed the community outreach for Detroit Tigers and asked if I could mail his team these bracelets for free. He said I could! So I mailed about forty bracelets to them, but then never heard anything more from them.

When I first heard Women At Risk, International (WAR, Int’l) representatives went to the field and the Tigers chose WAR, Int’l as their nonprofit for the July 12th game this year, I knew I had to be there! It was really awesome to be able to walk in those special doors with my wagon full of products made by rescued women. I almost felt as if I had the women sitting in the wagon with me and I was rolling them through the VIP entrance to have their work displayed for thousands to see.

I love working for an organization that thinks outside the box. Trafficking awareness shouldn’t be restricted to sitting behind a table at a flea market, but should be out in the community reaching the people, letting them know there is hope, there is help.

How will you get out in the community to share this message?

You never know, that woman that takes one of those flyers you’re handing out may be the next survivor that gets rescued because of YOU…

Learn about ways to get involved here.

Equip Yourself to Recognize and Respond to Human Trafficking

Be the One Who Knows: Equip Yourself to Recognize and Respond to Human Trafficking

Women At Risk, International (WAR, Int’l) invites you to attend our upcoming Civilian First Responder (CFR) Training Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Saturday, October 25, 2025. This essential, one-day training is designed to equip everyday individuals with the tools to identify, understand, and respond to human trafficking within their communities.
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Why Attend the CFR Training Conference?

Human trafficking is a pervasive crime, often hidden in plain sight. Traffickers prey on the vulnerable, manipulating their needs and circumstances for exploitation. At WAR, Int’l, we believe that awareness is the first step to action. This conference will help participants “see the unseen,” understand the complex nature of trafficking, and learn how to be a voice of protection and restoration.

By attending, you become part of a broader movement to prevent exploitation and support survivors in meaningful, life-changing ways.
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Conference Highlights

● Date & Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST

● Location: WAR, Int’l Headquarters – 2790 44th St SW, Wyoming, MI 49519

● Registration Fee: $35 (includes lunch and training materials)

● Registration Deadline: October 22, 2025

● Register Here
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What to Expect

The day is carefully structured to maximize both learning and impact. Sessions will be led by Rebecca McDonald, founder and president of WAR, Int’l, along with law enforcement professionals, survivor leaders, and other subject- matter experts.

Session One | This opening session introduces the current reality of trafficking in the United States. Participants will learn why it is critical for all civilians to understand what trafficking looks like and how it functions in our communities. The session includes a survivor testimony that brings this issue into sharp, personal focus.

Session Two | This session will examine the 22 lures commonly used by predators and 21 trafficking flashpoints. Participants will also explore demographic patterns specific to Western Michigan and review Homeland Security’s guidelines for civilian responders. Stories shared in this session include interviews with law enforcement, Homeland Security, and survivor accounts, including a case in which a single phone call led to a woman’s rescue.

Lunch Break | A catered lunch is included with registration.

Breakout Sessions | Attendees will choose from various focused breakout sessions led by professionals who work directly in anti-trafficking efforts.

Session Three | This session focuses on practical application—what to do when trafficking is suspected, how to have safe and appropriate conversations with children, and how to serve as a trustworthy advocate for the vulnerable. It concludes with participant-submitted questions collected throughout the day.

Q&A Panel | The conference concludes with a live Q&A session featuring a panel of speakers, survivors, and subject- matter experts. Questions gathered throughout the day will be addressed, allowing for deeper insight and direct engagement with the presenters.

TAKE ACTION

Attending the CFR Training Conference is more than an educational opportunity—it is a tangible step toward protecting the vulnerable and preventing exploitation. You will leave not only informed but also empowered to respond with confidence, compassion, and clarity.

If you cannot attend in person, consider exploring our Digital Civilian First Responder Program to access training on your own schedule.

Together, we can stand as a circle of protection around those at risk. Join us as we bring awareness, prevention, and hope to our communities.

Register today: CFR Training Conference – October 2025

Past Five Presidents, Fight Against Human Trafficking

January is Human Trafficking Prevention & Awareness Month.

As part of our January Campaign to bring awareness, Women At Risk, International (WAR, Int’l) here is the third blog article in the series.

How the Past Five Presidents Took Up the Fight Against Human Trafficking

Since 2010, the President of the United States has recognized the month of January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, dedicating time to raise awareness, educate the public, and celebrate those engaged in the fight against human trafficking at home and abroad. In the spirit of Human Trafficking Prevention Month 2025, Women at Risk, International, wants to highlight the decisive action the last five presidents have taken towards setting captives of modern slavery free.

President Joe Biden (2021 – Present)
In 2021, President Biden signed an updated National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, espousing the Administration’s commitment to prosecute, protect, and prevent. Additionally, in 2021, the President signed the Countering Human Trafficking Act, which codified the expansion of the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking. Continuing the fight against forced labor in supply chains, President Biden approved the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Finally, due to the reality that most victims of trafficking are women and girls, the Biden Administration reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act in 2022, expanding jurisdiction of tribal courts to prosecute non-Native American sex traffickers.

President Donald Trump (2017 – 2021)
During his time in office, President Trump asserted that human trafficking is an “urgent humanitarian issue” and that his administration is “committed to leveraging every resource we have to confront this threat, to support victims and survivors, and to hold traffickers accountable for their heinous crimes.” President Trump signed four key bills demonstrating the continued bipartisan commitment to end human trafficking: the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, the Abolish Human Trafficking Act, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act, and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Together, these bills worked to tighten criteria for meeting trafficking elimination standards, appropriate necessary funding, and establish new justice and security initiatives. President Trump issued an executive order on Combating Human Trafficking and Online Child Exploitation in the United States in January 2020. This order outlined mandates to strengthen federal responses to human trafficking, prosecute perpetrators and individuals who exploit children online, and protect victims. President Trump, additionally, approved the largest Department of Justice grant package in history to combat human trafficking.

President Barack Obama (2009 – 2017)
President Barack Obama was responsible for establishing the National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in 2010. Every January, he renewed his Administration’s commitment to fighting human trafficking and called upon the American people to “recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.” President Obama reauthorized the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2013, focusing on the elimination of human trafficking from the supply chain of goods. In 2015, Congress passed, and Obama signed, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, providing U.S. Customs and Border Protection broad authority to prevent the import of goods suspected to be made with forced labor. The Obama Administration convened the first U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking in 2016, which appointed eleven human trafficking survivors to ensure that their voice was heard and present in ensuring that federal anti-trafficking initiatives were grounded in the experiences of those most deeply impacted.

President George W. Bush (2001 – 2009)
President George W. Bush made fighting human trafficking a cornerstone of his administration stating that, “No one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave.” The President signed to amend and reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2003, 2005, and 2008. This greatly refined and expanded existing legislation, providing for greater criminal provisions, extraterritorial jurisdiction over trafficking offenses, and improved methods to hold traffickers accountable. In 2003, President Bush championed the PROTECT (Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to End the Exploitation of Children Today) Act which increased penalties for federal crimes against children and provided law enforcement with more tools to prevent, investigate, and prosecute child abuse, trafficking, and violent crimes. President George W. Bush placed special emphasis on combating trafficking abroad, too. In 2008, he spearheaded a $50 Million Initiative to Combat Trafficking in Persons, empowering international projects to support rescue, vocational training, and law enforcement task forces in countries such as Brazil, Cambodia, and Tanzania, among many others.

President Bill Clinton (1993 – 2001)
On October 28, 2000, Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), and President Clinton subsequently signed it into law. This marked the first federal law to combat trafficking in persons. It dramatically expanded the fight against human trafficking, establishing both the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking and the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking within the Department of State. These two entities spearhead domestic and global efforts to prosecute traffickers, protect victims, and prevent the continuation of trafficking. Clinton initially outlined this three-fold strategy in a 1998 executive directive, cementing the United States’ bedrock approach to the issue. Earlier, in 1994, Clinton signed the Violence Against Women Act, which established federal criminal provisions and grant programs to improve the criminal justice system’s approach to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Not only did this heighten protection for women but it mitigated the perpetration of acts that perpetuate human trafficking.

In the spirit of Human Trafficking Prevention Month:

~Learn more about the history behind the Month here.
~Explore the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons here.
~Consider writing a letter to your Representative to request their continued support towards ending modern slavery TODAY.