Happy New Year! Because of your kind hearts and generosity, Special Operations was able to help find 21 children last year, the vast majority of whom were victims of sex trafficking and are now safe. In some cases, we worked with our local partners to help place them in secure and loving homes. While many investigations are currently ongoing, several men have been arrested. One child was murdered. It is important to us that justice is served and our communities made safe.
We are ramping up quickly for 2022. Special Operations has hired Vic Lacey on staff as our first Director of Investigations to manage cases and private investigators. Vic comes to us with an extensive background in law enforcement and running large anti-trafficking investigations for International Justice Mission. We have significantly increased our pipeline of highly qualified, licensed investigators who will help locate many more missing and vulnerable children this year. We are bringing in trauma therapists, survivor advocates, and creating more ways to help these children recover, feel safe, and feel empowered to testify against the perpetrators. According to District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, “Law enforcement needs Special Operations.”
You are a critical part of our mission to stop the sex trafficking of kids in America and to provide them with a safe and bright future. We look forward to seeing you at future events!
Today, predators can reach vulnerable children through phones, social media, gaming platforms, and the internet, often before families realize something is wrong. Finding Kids responds through three core programs: Recover. Care. Target. We help locate missing and exploited children, support families during and after recovery, and work with law enforcement to identify and disrupt those who exploit youth. Our work continues after a child is found because recovery is only the beginning. By combining investigations, aftercare, and prevention, we help children return safely to their homes, schools, and communities while building a future where every vulnerable child receives help before crisis becomes exploitation. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly towards keeping kids safe. We cannot do this work without your support.
*Names has been changed to protect the victim’s identity.
