In this special episode, we’re slowing things down to revisit our mission, share what’s coming up in Season 6, and introduce two exciting initiatives — the Abolitionist Program and the return of the Trafficking Free Zone (TFZ)!

Whether you're a long-time supporter or just discovering us, this is the perfect place to dive into our purpose: educating, equipping, and inspiring action to end human trafficking across the U.S. 🇺🇸

Timestamps
00:00 - Welcome and Mission Overview
00:35 - Exciting News: Trafficking Free Zone Relaunch
01:06 - Our Organizations: USIAHT & Kids Not For Sale
01:18 - Training, Resources, Advocacy, and Education Focus
01:37 - Why Media and Education Matter
02:05 - Podcast Recap: Seasons 1-5 Highlights
02:49 - Special Focus on Foster Care and At-Risk Youth
02:57 - Confronting Demand: Sex Buyers and Addiction
03:22 - Safe Homes: Protecting Survivors
03:27 - What’s New in Season 6: Weekly Episodes Ahead!
03:53 - Why You Should Stay Tuned (Even When It’s Heavy)
04:17 - Introducing the Abolitionist Program
04:43 - How to Take Action: Start Small, Make an Impact
05:10 - The Trafficking Free Zone Program: Make Your Area Safer
05:48 - Certification, Resources, and Community Involvement
05:56 - Keeping the Conversation Alive: Our Core Purpose
06:17 - Join the Movement: Abolitionists and TFZs
06:32 - Closing Thanks

✨ Join us!

 * Become an Abolitionist: usiaht.org/abolitionists
 * Start a Trafficking Free Zone: usiaht.org/traffickingfreezone

🔔 Subscribe to stay updated: weekly episodes dropping all year through 2025!

#EndHumanTrafficking #TraffickingFreeAmerica #USIAHT #KidsNotForSale #PodcastSeason6

The Mission of "Trafficking Free America Podcast" | S6, E3

In Part 2 of our powerful conversation with Bekah Charleston, survivor and advocate, we go deeper into the realities victims of sex trafficking face after rescue—from unpaid debt and criminal records to community disconnection and spiritual burnout.

Hosted by the Trafficking Free America Podcast, a production of the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking and Kids Not For Sale, this episode tackles the often-overlooked legal, financial, and relational obstacles that survivors must overcome—and how you can help eliminate them.

🔍 Key insights in this episode:

 * The 3-step framework of survivor care: escape, safe home, restoration
 * Why many survivors face prison, debt, and legal barriers post-trafficking
 * How to support real rehabilitation without a “savior” complex
 * Actionable ways churches and communities can become part of the solution
 * The importance of removing judgment and centering love in this work

📌 Timestamps
00:00 – Recap and framing the rehabilitation journey
00:46 – Safe home vs. restoration home: a critical distinction
04:19 – What survivors face after “the life”: legal records, debt, prison
07:08 – The DEBRA project and how survivors access legal support
08:24 – Why we need nationwide pro bono legal resources
09:37 – Bekah’s nonprofit experience and vision for scalable services
12:27 – Can lack of resources cause survivors to return to trafficking?
14:36 – Federal vs. state support—what’s missing, what can we do?
15:07 – Where survivors feel supported—and where it drops off
18:57 – Government vs. society: who should be solving this?
21:33 – How churches can wrap around survivor care and prevention
23:06 – Practical ways churches can start helping now
25:05 – Two resources Bekah recommends for getting involved
26:22 – Why a “hero” mindset can do more harm than good
28:13 – Bekah’s vision for the next four years of survivor support
31:24 – Final thoughts: it’s time to step up and do the work

🙏 Whether you're a pastor, advocate, policymaker, or everyday person—this episode will help you shift from well-meaning to well-doing in the fight against human trafficking.

👉 Learn how to join our movement at: https://usiaht.org/abolitionist

🔔 Subscribe to catch more survivor voices, strategies for prevention, and real-world solutions.

#HumanTraffickingAwareness #SurvivorJustice #BekahCharleston #TraffickingFreeAmerica #USIAHT #KidsNotForSale #RestorationJourney #ChurchAndJustice #AntiTraffickingPodcast #AbolitionistMovement

What Survivors of Sex Trafficking Really Need: Legal Hurdles and Community Gaps in Survivor Support, Part 2 | S6, E2

In this powerful episode of the Trafficking Free America Podcast, survivor leader and national speaker Bekah Charleston opens up about her experience with sex trafficking in Las Vegas and what it truly takes to help victims transition into long-term survivors.

🎧 Hosted by the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking and Kids Not For Sale, this candid conversation dives deep into the rehabilitation and restoration process—beyond safe homes, into the real challenges survivors face reentering society.

🔍 What you'll learn:

 * Why leaving "the life" is more complex than most people realize
 * The critical difference between a safe home and a restoration home
 * Why many survivors return to trafficking—and how we can change that
 * The essential role communities, churches, and everyday individuals play in survivor success

👥 This episode is a must-watch for anyone involved in social work, advocacy, policymaking, or just looking to better understand how to truly help survivors.

🛑 Become an Abolitionist:
Subscribe for free training and resources at: https://usiaht.org/abolitionist

📌 Timestamps
00:00 – Intro: What is Trafficking Free America?
00:31 – Purpose of the episode: Helping survivors beyond rescue
01:11 – Meet Bekah Charleston: Survivor and national advocate
02:08 – What happens after safe homes? The missing link in support
03:24 – Bekah’s personal background and story
06:27 – How hard is it really to leave the life?
10:12 – The connection between trafficking and modern-day slavery
11:08 – Graduating from a safe home: Then what?
16:47 – Why rehabilitation isn’t profitable—but why we must still do it
17:56 – Bekah explains transitional housing and restoration services
20:25 – Clarifying safe homes vs. restoration homes
23:07 – Outro: Join the fight to end trafficking

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay up to date on future episodes.

#HumanTrafficking #BekahCharleston #SurvivorStories #SexTrafficking #RestorationNotRescue #USIAHT #TraffickingFreeAmerica #KidsNotForSale #AbolitionistMovement

What Survivors of Sex Trafficking Really Need: Bekah Charleston’s Story & the Road to True Restoration - Part 1 | S6, E1

The U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking and Kids Not For Sale presents a special new, 4-part episode titled “Starting and Supporting a Safe Home.” In this season, we sit down with Brandy Cristafulli, the Founder and President of LifeRecaptured, a safe home out of Florida that provides shelter, restoration, and healing for trafficked women throughout the United States.
In this season, Brandy shares with us how she began her safe home, how she runs her safe home, and what she has learned along the way. This is extremely insightful for anyone wanting to end human trafficking in America. We can all be educated on where to assist organizations that help victims of human trafficking, but this dives in even deeper. Whether you are wanting to begin a safe home or simply just support, Brandy provides the proper directions for how to do just that. It goes beyond loving and caring - we must be ready to provide a service that may seem unorthodox to some of us, but helps victims restore their lives.

In this episode, we discuss how hard it is for safe homes to raise enough support (both finances and resources) and how we, as a community, can do a better job to support our local safe homes. We also talk about ways NOT to support a safe home. We may think it’s helpful or a good ideal, but what matters is fulfilling a need that will help these survivors of human trafficking heal and thrive toward restoration.

If you want to become more educated and engaged in the fight to end human trafficking, subscribe to become an Abolitionist at usiaht.org/abolitionist

Best Ways to Support Safe Homes | Starting and Supporting a Safe Home - Season 5, Episode 4

The U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking and Kids Not For Sale presents a special new, 4-part episode titled “Starting and Supporting a Safe Home.” In this season, we sit down with Brandy Cristafulli, the Founder and President of LifeRecaptured, a safe home out of Florida that provides shelter, restoration, and healing for trafficked women throughout the United States.
In this season, Brandy shares with us how she began her safe home, how she runs her safe home, and what she has learned along the way. This is extremely insightful for anyone wanting to end human trafficking in America. We can all be educated on where to assist organizations that help victims of human trafficking, but this dives in even deeper. Whether you are wanting to begin a safe home or simply just support, Brandy provides the proper directions for how to do just that. It goes beyond loving and caring - we must be ready to provide a service that may seem unorthodox to some of us, but helps victims restore their lives.

In this episode, we dive in to the process Brandy built for her LifeRecaptured safe home. This process is a tested and proven practice that helps restore women away from their life of abuse and slavery into a life where they can begin to thrive (not just survive). Learn from failures, learn from successes, and listen to the reasons why Brandy created these steps.

If you want to become more educated and engaged in the fight to end human trafficking, subscribe to become an Abolitionist at usiaht.org/abolitionist

What A Safe Home Should Be Accomplishing | Starting and Supporting a Safe Home, Season 5, Episode 3

The U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking and Kids Not For Sale presents a special new, 4-part episode titled “Starting and Supporting a Safe Home.” In this season, we sit down with Brandy Cristafulli, the Founder and President of LifeRecaptured, a safe home out of Florida that provides shelter, restoration, and healing for trafficked women throughout the United States.
In this season, Brandy shares with us how she began her safe home, how she runs her safe home, and what she has learned along the way. This is extremely insightful for anyone wanting to end human trafficking in America. We can all be educated on where to assist organizations that help victims of human trafficking, but this dives in even deeper. Whether you are wanting to begin a safe home or simply just support, Brandy provides the proper directions for how to do just that. It goes beyond loving and caring - we must be ready to provide a service that may seem unorthodox to some of us, but helps victims restore their lives.

In this episode, we talk about starting a safe home. This may seem too far fetched for most as starting a safe home is a huge task and, understandably, only a select few are truly called to do. However, understanding what goes into starting a safe home is very important information. It can help shape how you get involved, help support, or simply approach the ministry of serving trafficked victims.

If you want to become more educated and engaged in the fight to end human trafficking, subscribe to become an Abolitionist at usiaht.org/abolitionist

The Importance of Training and Preparing | Starting and Supporting a Safe Home - Season 5, Episode 2

The U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking and Kids Not For Sale presents a special new, 4-part episode titled “Starting and Supporting a Safe Home.” In this season, we sit down with Brandy Cristafulli, the Founder and President of LifeRecaptured, a safe home out of Florida that provides shelter, restoration, and healing for trafficked women throughout the United States.

In this season, Brandy shares with us how she began her safe home, how she runs her safe home, and what she has learned along the way. This is extremely insightful for anyone wanting to end human trafficking in America. We can all be educated on where to assist organizations that help victims of human trafficking, but this dives in even deeper. Whether you are wanting to begin a safe home or simply just support, Brandy provides the proper directions for how to do just that. It goes beyond loving and caring - we must be ready to provide a service that may seem unorthodox to some of us, but helps victims restore their lives.

In this episode, we hear Brandy’s story and how she began her safe home. We also discuss what a safe home actually consists of, as some may have a misunderstanding of what establishes a safe home and the services they provide.

These episodes will be released weekly for 4 consecutive Wednesdays - 1/15/2025, 1/22/2025, 1/29/2025, and 2/5/2025. Be sure to subscribe and be alerted when the next episode releases!

What is a Safe Home | Starting and Supporting a Safe Home - Season 5, Episode 1

In this podcast episode, we continue our discussion around the epidemic of sexual addiction in our country and how it is fueling the demand for trafficking.  

We discuss this with a former buyer, who has been rehabilitated and helping men out of Tampa Bay, Florida to address their addiction and overcome the urge and felt need of their compulsions, which may cause a p*rn addiction, hurting their marriage, or possibly purchasing someone in the commercial s*x trade.  Listen to part 2 of of this conversation as we discuss how we can do a better job at helping addicts AND THEIR FAMILIES.   

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Want to help make a difference? Become an Abolitionist under the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking to become educated and engaged in the fight to end human trafficking in America.  https://usiaht.org/abolitionist

How To Help Someone With a Sexual Addiction - A Conversation With a Former Buyer | Part 3

In this podcast episode, we continue our discussion around the epidemic of sexual addiction in our country and how it is fueling the demand for trafficking.  

We discuss this with a former buyer, who has been rehabilitated and helping men out of Tampa Bay, Florida to address their addiction and overcome the urge and felt need of their compulsions, which may cause a p*rn addiction, hurting their marriage, or possibly purchasing someone in the commercial s*x trade.  Listen to part 2 of of this conversation as we discuss Allen's journey as a former buyer and the road to recovery and how that looks. 

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Want to help make a difference? Become an Abolitionist under the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking to become educated and engaged in the fight to end human trafficking in America.  https://usiaht.org/abolitionist [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazlyeTlQVENFcU9OMHV1eV9RbHBoRWxyZkZxUXxBQ3Jtc0tuNUV4WXM2WklESzRTc25leGdqQ240MmlTSEpxT0txUTZVS2Y2X01vd2t4MVFhdTBPQWsxTVJ1OGQxTEg0OHpWSzJmWmMyanFVeWwtVzl1M1VxbVhJS2dtczJERU04aVpPTDhZeVp0amlUeEMxLUw4bw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fusiaht.org%2Fabolitionist&v=RwlPloSi-gY]

The Sexual Addiction Epidemic in America - Having a Conversation With a Former Buyer | Part 2

In this podcast episode, we discuss the epidemic of sexual addiction in our country and how it is fueling the demand for trafficking.  

We discuss this with a former buyer, who has been rehabilitated and helping men out of Tampa Bay, Florida to address their addiction and overcome the urge and felt need of their compulsions, which may cause a p*rn addiction, hurting their marriage, or possibly purchasing someone in the commercial s*x trade.  

Listen to part 1 of of this conversation as we discuss what this addiction is and how we, as a society, can begin to understand it, recognize it, and combat it. 

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Want to help make a difference? Become an Abolitionist under the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking to become educated and engaged in the fight to end human trafficking in America.  https://usiaht.org/abolitionist [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUlka1AyR2NaVXZISENxMVVWNFN3TGstZk9Qd3xBQ3Jtc0trdEZHSkUzVWlDV09lSmFzX3N2OXJCVl9yTGRfWGE0ODRITUx6eUEtZFNEaHpMMFhpODB1YWYyY2hHVGlxdkQ4bWg2S1FqVUZZd1YtWEVUWkNhdkJxSDZkVV9OZDVXTkV2dXdvd291YnJhNEl0VDFvbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fusiaht.org%2Fabolitionist&v=Aj-5WFo7sZ8]

Addressing Sexual Addiction - An Interview with a Former Buyer: Part 1

Human Trafficking is a grave problem in America and likely in your city. Misinformation, manipulation, and demand allow human trafficking to flourish in the shadows. Our goal at The US Institute Against Human Trafficking is to end human trafficking in America by educating citizens and lawmakers, disrupting sex trade activities and demand, and partnering with like-minded organizations to fight human trafficking together. In this podcast, survivors will tell their stories and truths about human trafficking and share what is actively decreasing human trafficking. By listening to this podcast, you are learning how you can grow your community to unite against human trafficking. This war will not be won overnight, but it can be won together.

Trafficking Free America

U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking's Show

Our focus at USIAHT is to end human trafficking in America through prevention tactics (education), victim care, and legislation involvement.

U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking

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