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Asia
On the Ground in Thailand:ย DoPAย Honors Our Rescueย ย forย Continuedย Anti-Trafficking Collaborationย ย 

On April 20, 2026, the Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA) in Bangkok, Thailand,ย heldย a ceremony to recognizeย the workย happeningย onย the ground toย fightย crimes ofย human trafficking andย childย exploitationย in Thailand.ย Underย the countryโ€™s Ministry of Interior,ย DoPAย is tasked withย maintainingย public safety and national securityย andย overseeingย civil registration, local governance, and community-level legal enforcement across theย countryโ€™sย 76 provinces.ย  At the ceremony,ย DoPAย presented commemorative pins and certificates…

3 min read
Homepage Featured
โ€œPawsโ€ for Celebration: Meet Our Rescueโ€™s ESD K9 Class of June 2026!

The month of June is Internet Safety Month, dedicated to raising awareness intended to encourage safe, responsible use of the internet among children, teens, and young adults. This month is also cause โ€“ or โ€œPawsโ€ in this case โ€“ for celebration as Our Rescue announces its newest Graduating Class of…

6 min read
Homepage Featured
Communitiesย Prepareย for FIFA World Cup:ย Our Rescue Helps Host Cities Recognize and Respond toย Potentialย Uptick in Human Traffickingย ย 

As the State of New Jersey prepares to host one of the worldโ€™s largest sporting events, partnerships like the one between Our Rescue and the New Jersey Childrenโ€™s Alliance offer a best practice in proactive prevention and preparedness.   New Jersey is about to welcome one of the worldโ€™s most preeminent events: the 2026…

4 min read
Homepage Featured
Building Safer Communities Through Education: Our Rescue Partners with Chicago Area Projectย 

Human trafficking and child exploitation are serious human rights challenges facing communities across the United States. Prevention begins with awareness, and meaningful change happens when communities come together to equip young people with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe.  In February 2026, Our Rescue had the opportunity to partner with the …

2 min read
Asia
Our Rescueย Thailandย and Royal Thai Police Join Forces: Teaching Students About the Real Dangers of Online Exploitationย 

Every day, children and young people spend more of their lives online, learning, connecting, and exploring the world around them. At the same time, they are exposed to increased risk from predators and trafficking networks lurking in that same โ€œdigital oceanโ€ – searching for their next victim. In Thailand specifically, children are not as likely to report their experiences of online exploitation. …

3 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue-Sponsored ESD K9 Finds 50+ Hidden Devices; Evidence Leads to 100+ Arrests; Delivers Hope to 18 Children Survivorsย ย 

Every day, predators use small digital devices like SD cards, cell phones, USB drives, hard drives, and micro-storage devices to hide evidence of child sexual abuse from law enforcement. These devices are easily concealed almost anywhere – inside walls, clothing, furniture, behind electrical outlets, in vehicles, or buried beneath clutter, making them incredibly difficult for investigators to find during searches. …

8 min read
Field Operations
A Year in Review:ย Highlights from the Fieldย withย theย Our Rescue ESD K9ย Teamย ย 

Exactly one year ago, Our Rescueโ€™s Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 program hit a milestone: a record 11 dogs graduated, embarking on a life with a very important mission โ€“ to help protect vulnerable children and bring criminals to justice.  Since June 2025, these K9s have joined over 130 other K9s in helping law enforcement arrest well over 1,300…

1 min read
Europe
Our Rescue Announces New Partnership with Moldovan National Policeย 

Our Rescue announces new partnership with Moldovan National Police to combat child exploitation and human trafficking.ย On May 20, 2026, Our Rescue signed a new formal partnership agreement with Moldovan National Police which will focus on strengthening efforts to fight child exploitation and human trafficking in Moldova.ย ย  As part of the…

3 min read
Asia
Choosing Her Own Future: Mayโ€™s Story of Hopeย ย 

*Alias used to protect survivor identity.   In Southeast Asia, a young girl named *May was just 17 years old, living in economically vulnerable conditions with her mother and older sister. Her mother worked as a housekeeper earning just enough to meet their most basic needs. May carried a quiet hope for a different future. Like many people her age,…

5 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue-Sponsoredย ESD K9 Kaia Helps Police Arrest Multiple Suspectsย in Vermontย Child Exploitationย Casesย 

Behind closed doors and behind screens, unthinkable acts of child exploitation are committed by predators in ways that can easily be hidden and difficult to trace. Through child sexual abuse material (CSAM), a single upload, a simple message, or a hidden file can put a child in the crosshairs of a predator who is committing unimaginable crimes.  Fortunately, in the state of Vermont, law enforcement has an Electronic Storage Detection…

4 min read
Europe
Two Years Later:ย Cynthiaโ€™sย Letterย ofย Hopeย Afterย Operation Mallorcaย 

*Alias used to protect survivor identity.  In 2023, Our Rescue supported an operation in Spain to help law enforcement take down a criminal group that was suspected of forcing 24 women from four different countries into forced commercial sexual exploitation. Six days a week, the women worked morning and night and were moved across multiple locations on Mallorca, an island in the Mediterranean Sea.

1 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue Supportย forย Ecuador Authorities in CSAM Investigationย Leadsย to Arrest in Quitoย 

In March of 2026, investigators with CiberPOL, part of the Ecuadorian National Police, followed a CyberTip submitted to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and traced it to a location south of the city. Someone was distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), meaning children were in need of help. Working quickly, with support from Our Rescue, investigators built a careful case in…

3 min read
Field Operations
Multipleย โ€œOperationย Digitalsโ€ย Result inย 6ย Arrestsย Across Latin America: Our Rescue Supports Police CSAM Investigations Targeting Online Exploitationย 

In Latin America, law enforcement continues to confront the growing spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). These horrific cases often begin with a tip online and lead police to discover real sexual abuse involving children. A recent series of four โ€œOperation Guardianโ€ cases, supported by Our Rescue in Ecuador and Chile, highlight how coordinated investigations, digital intelligence, and in-country support are essential in helping…

1 min read
Field Operations
Twoย Teenaged Girlsย Rescued from a Life of Sexual Exploitation:ย ย Our Rescueย Aids Law Enforcement in Ecuadorโ€™s Fight Against Transnational Criminalย Organizationsย 

In just two days, Ecuadorian National Police (ENP), their Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (UNAT), the Attorney Generalโ€™s Office (FGE), and members of Our Rescueโ€™s team in Latin America came together to rescue two teenaged girls, ages 14 and 17, from a life of sexual exploitation. Embroiled in extremely dangerous gang activity, caught between a notorious Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) and local rival gangs,…

1 min read
Field Operations
Urgent CyberTip Triggers Police Operation in Ecuador: 2 Children Rescued, 2 Suspects Arrested

Every day, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) receives thousands of CyberTipline reports that require urgent review because they may involve children in immediate danger. In 2024 alone, staff identified and escalated more than 51,000 reports as urgent or involving imminent risk and…

3 min read
Field Operations
Vigo County Sheriffโ€™s Office Welcomes First ESD K9:ย Our Rescue andย kNotย Today Partnership at Workย 

Thanks to a collaborative partnership with Our Rescue and kNot Today, the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office welcomed its first Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 and the community of Terre Haute, Indiana will never be the same.  Do aย quick Google search online forย โ€œESDย K9 Paddyย Indianaโ€ย andย youโ€™llย see why Vigo Countyโ€™s newestย member of theย Sheriffโ€™s Departmentย has been in…

4 min read
Europe
Strengtheningย Child Exploitationย Investigations:ย ย Our Rescue Partners with OSINTย Industriesย 

For over a year, Our Rescue has partnered withโ€ฏOSINT Industriesโ€ฏto help law enforcement address human trafficking and child exploitation. This collaboration has now expanded through a formal agreement and ongoing joint efforts to equip investigators with advanced open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools and training that help rescue children and put predators behind bars.  Together, teams have supported law enforcement agencies across Europe, including Romania, Italy, Kosovo, Spain, and Malta. These efforts focus…

2 min read
Field Operations
ESD K9 Boone in Action: 13 Successful Searches inย 2026ย So Farย 

Every day, children are sexually exploited by predators behind closed doors and evidence of that abuse is deliberately hidden. To fight these crimes, our four-legged heroes work alongside police to help rescue those children and bring them justice.  In 2022, Our Rescue-sponsored Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Boone graduated from the Jordan Detection K9…

1 min read
Field Operations
Operationย Fenix 86:ย Twoย 7-Year-Oldย Sistersย Rescued from Fatherโ€™s Suspected Sexual Abuse and Exploitationย 

In Ecuador, two 7-year-old girls were allegedly being sexually exploited by their father.   In February of 2026, investigators from the Ecuadorian National Police (ENP) Anti-Trafficking Unit (UNAT) discovered child sexual abuse material (CSAM) featuring the two children in sexually explicit photographs that were being distributed to a social media group.   Working alongside the Attorney Generalโ€™s Office (FGE) and with the support of Our Rescue, ENP UNAT initiated a search and arrest warrant at…

1 min read
Field Operations
12-Year-Old Rescued in Ecuador, 1 Suspect Arrested

In Ecuador, a 12-year-old child was living under a lie facing sexual exploitation.  An adult had convinced the child that he was family and someone they could trust, someone who had authority in their life. He then used that false identity to gain control and sexually exploit, creating a reality that no child should ever have to navigate.  But investigators with…

1 min read
Field Operations
Advertised Online. Found in a Hotel: 17-Year-Old Rescued,ย 5 Suspectsย Arrested for Human Traffickingย 

She was only 17 years old, and she was being sold online for sex.  In September, the Peruvian National Police received a tip that someone was allegedly advertising the sexual services of minors, girls between the ages of 14 and 17, through a website and across social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp,…

2 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue Supports Indiana CSAM Investigations with Digital Forensics Technology and ESD K9 Buckย 

In October 2025, in Pendleton, Indiana, a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) led investigators to a 24-year-old man whose online activity raised immediate concern. What began as a small number of flagged files quickly expanded into a digital investigation andย subsequentย search warrant, where detectives uncovered…

2 min read
Field Operations
Operation Codeย Rescue: 48 Hours, 4 Children Rescued,ย 4ย Arrested

Within 48 hours, Our Rescueโ€™s collaboration with the Ecuadorian National Police (ENP) Anti-Trafficking Unit (UNAT) and the Attorney General’s Office (FGE) in Ecuador resulted in the arrest of 4 individuals suspected of sexually exploiting children. Today, 4 children are now safe from sexual abuse.   In August of 2025, teams came together in Guayaquil to respond to the exploitation of a 14-year-old girl. Investigators…

3 min read
Europe
13-Year-Old Rescued, 3 Arrested inย Romania Operation

On March 19, 2026, Romanian authorities carried out a significant operation to rescue a 13-year-old girl living in the deeply unsafe and sexually exploitative environment of trafficking.   The young girl faced vulnerabilities to exploitation on multiple levels. Police reported that she came from a difficult family situation, suffered from multiple disabilities, and limited resources. Additionally, she was in emergency placement due to her family’s instability.   In February…

1 min read
Asia
Prevention in Action: Advancing Online Safety for Youth in Thailand

At Our Rescue, we believe that prevention is the key to protecting children from becoming victims of online threats. Thatโ€™s why our teams are committed to guiding ongoing efforts to raise awareness and strengthen safeguards in an increasingly digital world.  This year marks the fourth consecutive year of advancing this effort through the โ€œOnline…

1 min read
Field Operations
Operation Esperanza 04

ย On January 13, 2026, Our Rescue team in Latin America partnered with the Ecuadorian National Police Anti-Trafficking Unit and the Attorney General’s Office in Operation Esperanza 04 in Quito.   What began as a missing person report led to the safe recovery of a 17-year-old survivor and her infant baby, both of whom had been caught…

2 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue-Sponsored ESD K9 Mo Helps Police Investigate Kentucky CSAM Case, 1 Arrestedย 

In Boone County, Kentucky, investigators followed a digital trail that led them to a home in Florence, where online activity linked to a man suspected of sharing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), previously referred to as child pornography.   After building a careful case, detectives arrived at the suspectโ€™s residence in December and began a thorough search, working carefully through the…

3 min read
Field Operations
Three Children Rescued, 1 Suspect Arrested in Peru During Our Rescue-Supported CSAM Investigationย 

In the Huaycรกn district of Lima, Peru, one child, the niece of an adult male predator, was being sexually abused and exploited behind closed doors.  In the city of Huancayo, based in the Junin region, miles away, another two minor-age children, family cousins to that same perpetrator, lived separate lives but faced the same abuse at the hands of the same man.  Peruvian investigators would soon connect both.  In late 2025, multiple CyberTipline reports submitted by Google through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children…

2 min read
Asia
Operation Warp: Temple Resident Arrested in Child Exploitation Investigation in Thailandย 

Stories like this appear far too often. A trusted adult sexually abuses a child. The abuse is recorded. The child sexual abuse material (CSAM), commonly known as child pornography, is stored or shared online. The child waits helplessly for intervention. Sometimes it comes. Sometimes it doesnโ€™t. The pattern repeats across…

1 min read
Europe
Five Arrested, One Child Rescuedย in Human Trafficking Case in Romaniaย 

On February 5, 2026, Romanian authorities carried out an operation in Constanศ›a that brought a trafficking network to light and put an immediate end to the exploitation of two young women whose lives had been pulled into it.ย  Investigators report a 15-year-old minor and a 19-year-old vulnerable young woman were manipulated…

2 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue Surpasses 150 ESD K9s Deployed with Newest Graduating Classย 

Our Rescue recently celebrated another milestone in the fight against child exploitation and human trafficking as nine new Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 teams graduated from the Jordan Detection K9 Program and joined law enforcement agencies across the United States and Canada.ย  With this newest class, the number of…

1 min read
Asia
Operation Overtake Leads to Rescue of 6-Year-Old Childย 

On January 14, 2026, investigators in Thailand identified evidence suggesting a 6-year-old child was being sexually exploited and was linked to confirmed child sexual abuse material (CSAM). That evidence triggered an investigation to determine what had happened and how to rescue the child from further harm.  Working alongside Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) Thailand ICAC, law enforcement and Our Rescue teams reviewed digital…

1 min read
Field Operations
In-Home Nurse for Children withย Disabilities Charged with Possessing CSAMย 

Predators looking toย exploit childrenย often place themselves inย positions of trust. Caregivers, service providers, and professionals may have access to children precisely because they are perceived as safe. This reality makes these crimes harder to detect, meaningย itย isย even moreย important that police have theย specialized toolsย andย investigative support they needย to find the offenders who intentionally concealย child…

2 min read
Child Exploitation
ESD K9 Bandit Aids Police in Major Cases Across Reno, Sparks, and Tahoeย 

This year, Our Rescue-sponsored Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Bandit continued to make an extraordinary impact alongside his handler and law enforcement in Nevada and the Tahoe region. Banditโ€™s work has supported multiple investigations involving sexual crimes against children and major criminal activity, helping officers locate digital evidence that might otherwise remain hidden.  Across northern…

2 min read
Field Operations
ESD K9 Bandit Protects Kids in NV

Across northern Nevada, several recent investigations led to significant arrests tied to crimes against children and drug trafficking. Behind the scenes in multiple operations was a four-legged investigator named Bandit.  In Reno, a woman was arrested on charges related to the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) after authorities executed a search warrant…

2 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue Participates in Survivor Care Center Inauguration in Peru

On January 15, 2026, a powerful door opened in Peru that had never existed before.  At the facilities of the Policรญa Nacional del Perรบ (PNP) in the Piura Region, Our Rescue and law enforcement officials gathered to inaugurate a Survivor Recovery and Care Facility, built to serve survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. …

1 min read
Asia
Operation Nest: 4-Year-Old Thai Girl Rescued, Father Arrestedย 

In Thailand, a four-year-old girl was subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse by someone meant to protect herโ€”her father. Cases like this often remain hidden, especially when abuse occurs inside the home, and fear or intimidation keeps the child from speaking out.  In response to a tip, local authorities launched Operation Nest, an operation led by Thailand Internet Crimes…

2 min read
Field Operations
Honoring a Career of Dedication: Detective Peteย Deatesย and K9 Irisย 

For the past several years in Kenosha, when search warrants were executed in cases involving digital exploitation, two partners entered the scene together: Detective Pete Deates and Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Iris.  One carried decades of investigative experience. The other carried a nose trained to find what offenders try to hide.  Together, they represent the final chapter of a 23-year career defined by…

1 min read
Europe
Transnational Criminal Network Dismantled in Greece with Our Rescue and Partner Supportย 

Since at least November 2023, a transnational criminal organization was exploiting vulnerable women from Latin America, Europe, and Africa. The group lured the women through deception and debt bondage, controlling them through housing, and profiting from their sexual exploitation by managing five brothels and advertising services online. In addition to…

2 min read
Field Operations
ESD K9 Harrison Recognized at 15th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awardsย 

Each year, the American Humane Society honors extraordinary dogs across the United States through the Hero Dog Awards, a nationwide competition and fundraising event. This year, the awards banquet was held at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, attended by approximately 350 people, including supporters, families, previous winners, and donors.   Among the honorees was Our Rescue-sponsored…

2 min read
Field Operations
2 Search Warrants in 2 Cities: What We Saw During a Riverside ICAC Ride-Alongย 

In the early hours of a recent ride-along with the Riverside County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), also known as the Riverside County Child Exploitation Team (RCCET), detectives executed two search warrants in two different cities. Both investigations involved the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material…

1 min read
Europe
5 Arrested: Police Crack Down on Exploitation in Greece with Our Rescue Supportย 

In Athens, organized crime networks were allegedly promoting foreign women into prostitution, by profession and for profit, by exploiting their income inside establishments operating as โ€œstrip shows.โ€ Intelligence gathered by authorities indicated that the individuals were being controlled and profited from under conditions consistent with human trafficking. This prompted a coordinated law enforcement response.  In the early morning hours of Friday, December 19,…

1 min read
Field Operations
Operation Stingray:ย 34-Year-Old Chilean Security Guard Arrested for CSAMย 

In Chile, a 34-year-old security guard was suspected of using online spaces to target and exploit children, leveraging access to social media to harass and coerce minors into producing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).   Following the discovery of these alleged crimes, Chileโ€™s Investigative Police (Policรญa de Investigaciones de Chile, PDI) launched Operation Mantarraya with support from Our Rescue to identify and apprehend the…

2 min read
Field Operations
ESD K9 Estie Supports Major ICAC Operation in Mobile Countyย 

When the Mobile County Sheriffโ€™s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force launchedย Operation Frost Byte in December 2025, Electronicย Storageย Detection (ESD)ย K9 Estie played a critical role in supporting investigators as they executed search warrants connected to multiple child exploitation cases.ย  Estie is an Our Rescue-Sponsored ESD K9, specially trained…

1 min read
Field Operations
9-Year-Old Girl Rescued During Operation Hope in Chile

In Chile, a nine-year-old girl was identified in child sexual abuse material (CSAM) files during a police investigation, setting in motion a coordinated police response in Santiagoโ€™s Metropolitan Region to rescue her. On November 2025, the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI) launched Operation Hope with coordinated support from the Our Rescue…

2 min read
Mission Stories
Building a New Future: Ployโ€™s Storyย of Hope

**Alias used to protectย survivorโ€™sย identity.ย ย  Atย justย 15ย years old,**Ploy,ย a young girl from rural Northeast Thailand, left school to help support her grandmother after years of financial hardship.โ€ฏRaised by her grandmother after her parents separated, Ploy felt a deep responsibility fromย a young ageย to help provide for her household.ย  An older acquaintance from her village…

2 min read
Field Operations
Hidden Devices, Critical Evidence: How K9 Arwen Supports Child Exploitation Investigationsย 

When investigators with the Oklahoma ICAC Task Force enter a search scene, time matters. Evidence can be hidden inside walls, tucked into furniture, concealed in vehicles, or deliberately disguised to avoid detection. In these moments, human search alone isnโ€™t always enough. Thatโ€™s where K9 Arwen comes in.  Arwen is an Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 sponsored…

1 min read
Europe
Operation in Malta:ย 1 Suspect Arrested and 14 Devices Seized in CSAM Investigationย 

During the week of December 8, 2025, Our Rescue supported the Malta Police Force Cyber Crime Unit as they carried out an operation targeting perpetrators of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), following referrals from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).  The operation focused on identifying and disrupting online exploitation activity. As part of…

2 min read
Prevention & Awareness
Our Rescue Partners with DHS Blue Campaign for Human Trafficking Prevention Monthย 

January is recognized asย Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a time to strengthen awareness, expand education, and encourage collective action to address human trafficking before it occurs. This month,ย Our Rescue is joining the U.S. Department of Homeland Securityโ€™s Blue Campaign as an official partner, aligning efforts to support prevention-focused,…

2 min read
Field Operations
Coordinated Operations Across Multiple States Advanceย Efforts toย Battleย Sexย Traffickingย ย 

On Giving Tuesday, our community of donors stepped up to help make something critical possible: coordinated Interstate Justice Coalition (IJC) operations designed to strengthen cross-jurisdictional collaboration and improve survivor-centered response. IJC is a unique partnership comprised of Our Rescue, Skull Games Solutions, We Fight Monsters, and Operation Light Shine that unifies each organization’s specialized capabilities to support law enforcement, survivor care agencies, and communities within the United States in the…

1 min read
Asia
Operation Future: A Coordinated Effort to Protect Children in Bangkokย 

Before sunrise on November 19, 2025, a team of law enforcement personnel moved through a residence in Bangkok to arrest a man suspected of possessing and distributing thousands of images and videos showing real children being sexually abused and circulating them online. Authorities knew they needed to act quickly to stop it and protect the real children…

1 min read
Field Operations
ESD K9 Maui Assists Law Enforcement in Three Child Exploitation Investigations in Just One Monthย 

In the summer of 2025, multiple complex investigations involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and hidden surveillance devices unfolded across Wisconsin. Each case involved diligent investigative work and interagency cooperation, including crucial support from Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Maui working alongside local and federal partners.  Madison Rental Home Hidden Camera Investigation  In late July 2025, police in Madison, Wisconsin…

5 min read
Asia
2025 Year in Review: A Year of Strengthened Partnerships, Strategic Operations, and Hopeย 

**The data showcased here represents partial-year figures and should be considered preliminary. Final totals will be confirmed and released in the 2025 Annual Report.  As we begin reflecting on 2025, one message stands out across every region and every program: lasting change happens when organizations and partners link arms and move together.   This year, Our…

2 min read
Field Operations
Operation Elย Pollito: Four Minors Rescuedย from Sexual Exploitationย in Southern Limaย 

Before dawn in southern Lima, coordinated teams moved quietly through the districts. Buses carrying dozens of Peruvian National Police officers arrived at their staging points for a critical operation, with logistical support provided by Our Rescue. What unfolded over the next several hours would interrupt an ongoing exploitation scheme linked to a local hotelโ€”one in…

1 min read
Asia
Operation Barber: 1 Arrested, 9-Year-Old Rescued in Child Exploitation Caseย 

In Thailand, a 24-year-old man was allegedly involved in sexual assault of a 9-year-old child and the possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). To address this, a coordinated effort called Operation Barber was launched in collaboration with Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau’s Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (CCIB TICAC), Our Rescue, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) officials, and local…

1 min read
Europe
Operation Trojan Horse Disrupts Human Trafficking Network in Romaniaย 

In Romania, a criminal network was suspected of human trafficking, pimping, and a range of other serious offenses, harming countless individuals. The group is believed to have exploited vulnerable individuals while profiting from high-risk drug trafficking, money laundering, and more. Once the full scope of the network became clear, authorities, with…

2 min read
Field Operations
Monster ofย Chosica:ย Investigation in Peru Leads to the Rescue of Three Childrenย andย Arrestย of One Manย 

A Peruvian male was allegedly creating and sharing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) across multiple social media platforms. As authorities began examining the activity linked to these online accounts, investigators identified the individual behind the content. What they uncovered next suggested that the sexual exploitation was not just limited to the digital environment, but it was happening inside the suspectโ€™s own home.  Investigators determined that three children…

2 min read
Mission Stories
Our Rescueย Bringsย Anti-Trafficking Training to the Transportation Industryย 

This November,ย Our Rescue joined leaders from across the private passenger transportation sector atย Mobilize, The Transportation Allianceโ€™s annual conference in Las Vegas.ย ย  What many donโ€™t realize is how deeply intertwined trafficking can be with transportation. In the United States, a 2023 report from the Human Trafficking Institute found that private vehicles accounted…

1 min read
CSAM
Our Rescue-Sponsored ESD K9 Jib Assist in Search Leads to Conviction in North Dakota Child-Exploitation Caseย 

In North Dakota, a case that began several years ago finally reached its conclusion this week. A former school principal, someone who families once trusted to guide and protect their children, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for the abuse of a child.  The details that emerged during the investigation…

1 min read
Field Operations
Operation CODIGO RESCATE 318: Responding to a Critical Call for Helpย 

In Ecuador, a 16-year-old Venezuelan minor was allegedly being sex trafficked and exploited. The case began when local authorities received a troubling missing minor report and possible child exploitation through the 911 call center in Guayaquil.  That urgent reality set a multi-agency response into motion on October 25. The Our Rescue team in Ecuador supported Operation CODIGO RESCATE 318 alongside the Ecuadorian National Police (ENP) Anti-Trafficking Unit (UNAT) and…

1 min read
Europe
Elevating Survivor Voices at One Young World 2025ย ย 

This year, Our Rescue had the opportunity to help bring a survivor-centered conversation on human trafficking to one of the worldโ€™s most influential gatherings of emerging leaders: the One Young World 2025 Summit. More than 2,000 young changemakers from over 190 countries came together in Munich, Germany to exchange ideas and solutions to…

1 min read
Europe
Anti-Trafficking Operation in Greece Shuts Down Illegal Brothelsย 

Joint Operation Locatesย Brothels and Survivorsย in Athens On Thursday, November 6, the Sub-Directorate for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Goods of the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime carried out a series of operations across multiple areas in Athens, Greece. The purpose was to locate individuals who may be survivors of human trafficking and to shut down illegal brothels where they were being exploited.   Throughout…

1 min read
Child Exploitation
Our Rescue-Donated Digital Forensics Aid in Arrests of Two South Georgia Men on Child Sex Chargesย 

In two separate cases in South Georgia, law enforcement agencies utilized digital forensic equipment donated by Our Rescue to investigate and arrest men accused of sexual crimes against minors.   The first case involved a former teacher and coach in the Lowndes County School System.ย Earlier this year, the…

4 min read
Child Exploitation
A Historic Milestone: Our Rescueโ€™s Largestย Sponsoredย ESDโ€ฏK9 Graduationย ย 

Last Friday, November 14, Our Rescue celebrated a landmark moment: sponsoring our largest-ever graduation class of Electronic Storage Detection (ESD)โ€ฏK9s with 14 new partnerships. Since our first ESD K9 was deployed back in 2017, we have seen the immense impact these incredible dogs have in the fight against child sexual exploitation. In fact, in 2025, our ESDโ€ฏK9s have achieved an…

2 min read
Latin America
Our Rescueย LATAMย Participatesย in the 8th Cybersecurity Seminarย Organized by the Chilean Investigative Policeย 

In October 2025, the Our Rescue LATAM team in Chile, participated in the 8th International Cybersecurity Seminar organized by the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI).   The event brought together experts and representatives from the academic, law enforcement, military, technological, and private sectors to address current challenges in cybersecurity and the fight against cybercrime in Chile and around the world.   During both days,…

3 min read
Asia
Operation Global Impact 2025: A Major Step Forward in the Fight Against Sex Traffickingย 

Operation Global Impact (OGI) 2025 was a groundbreaking international effort, bringing together law enforcement agencies and Our Rescue teams across three regions to tackle sex trafficking and child exploitation. In October, the operation concluded, and the final numbers are now in:  338 survivors rescued, including 74 children  243 individuals arrested,…

2 min read
Child Exploitation
Speeding Up Justice: How Digital Forensics Is Helping Law Enforcement Combat Human Traffickingย 

โ€œFor me, everything is timing,โ€ said Agent Laurel Sexton of the Central Arkansas Drug Task Force.  For investigators working sex trafficking and child exploitation cases, every second is critical, especially when children are waiting to be found and offenders are walking free. The reality is that many cases hinge on…

2 min read
Child Exploitation
Beyond the Stats: The Heart Behind Every Caseย 

Hear directly from the men and women dedicating their lives to protecting the vulnerableย  At Our Rescue, we proudly empower and support the heroic work of law enforcement both domestically and internationally.  Across the U.S., digital forensic units and police agencies play a critical role in the fight against child…

4 min read
Human Trafficking
Lights, Camera, Captive: Suzieโ€™s Journey to Freedomย 

Eight years ago, Suzieโ€™s life changed forever. What began as a relationship with someone she thought cared for her, soon turned into manipulation and control.  โ€œI was young and naรฏve,โ€ Suzie said. โ€œThis guy really liked me and wanted to know everything about me. Little did I know, he was…

2 min read
Asia
Operation Global Impact 2025 (OGI) Update

Operation Global Impact (OGI) 2025 continues to make remarkable progress across Latin America, Asia, and Europe, with 212 arrests, 140 adults rescued, and 69 children rescued in less than three months. Thanks to the dedication of our in-country teams and your ongoing support, we are helping law enforcement bring traffickers…

3 min read
Child Exploitation
Our Rescue-Sponsored ESD K9 Enzo Makes Immediate Impact in Illinoisย 

Our Rescue-sponsored Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Enzo graduated from the Jordan Detection K9 Program in June 2025 and immediately went to work with the Lake County Sheriffโ€™s Office in Illinois. Within weeks, K9 Enzo and his handler Detective Alexis Sciarrone assisted in major child exploitation investigations, helping uncover hidden devices…

1 min read
Europe
OGI 2025 Update: Kosovo Operation Successย 

On October 8, 2025, Our Rescue was on the ground with Kosovo law enforcement in a targeted operation to stop the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This carefully coordinated effort spanned three separate locations and resulted in the arrest of three individuals responsible for distributing the sexually exploitive…

5 min read
Child Exploitation
Inside the Training Grounds: How ESD K9s Are Built for the Jobย 

A friendly, lap-loving Lab might not look like a cutting-edge crime-fighterโ€”but donโ€™t be fooled. Behind the wagging tail and soft eyes is a powerful partner in the fight against child exploitation and trafficking.  Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9s are expertly trained police dogs that use their incredible sense of smell…

1 min read
Asia
Next Steps: Building a Home for Healing in Nepalย 

At the busy Nepal/India border, police officers stand as the first line of defense, working to recognize and protect women and children who may be embarking into situations of sex trafficking or exploitation. For many, the risk of trafficking or exploitation is real, driving the urgent need for safe refuge…

4 min read
Field Operations
2-Year-Old Girl Rescued in Chile from Sexual Exploitationย ย 

Operation Global Impact 2025 (OGI) Update from Latin Americaย ย  Operation Global Impact 2025 has been a tremendous success in Latin America, with 84 arrests and 48 minors rescued in less than three months. Our teams on the ground continue working tirelessly to put your donations to work in the fieldโ€”supporting…

2 min read
Mission Stories
Hope Rising in Memphis: Sparrow House Construction Beginsย ย 

A powerful U.S. partnership in Memphis is turning ashes into hope as a new safe home is built where survivors and their children can begin again.   Earlier this year, Our Rescue joined We Fight Monsters in a partnership to help raise a new shelter home for survivors of trafficking and…

1 min read
Asia
OGI Update: 2 Children Rescued During Operation Step in Thailandย 

BREAKING: A 32-year-old man in Thailand was suspected of sexually exploiting two children, ages 9 and 12 years old. The man was allegedly recording child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on his mobile phone. On the morning of October 8, law enforcement and the Our Rescue team set plans in motion…

1 min read
Europe
Major Human Trafficking Operations in Romania Lead to Multiple Arrests and Rescuesย 

Within two days, Our Rescue personnel supported two major operations alongside the Romanian National Police, resulting in the dismantling of organized crime groups and the rescue of multiple survivors.  On September 30, authorities carried out a targeted action in Southern Romania. This operation led to 5 arrests and the rescue…

1 min read
Child Exploitation
ESD K9 Tango Assists in Pennsylvaniaโ€™s First Case Under New AI Exploitation Lawย 

Authorities in York County, Pennsylvania, say 22-year-old Luke Teipel collected dozens of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) filesโ€” some real, and others generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Luke is now facing 33 felony counts of possession of CSAM.ย  This is the first case of its kind in…

2 min read
Field Operations
Two Teenage Girls Rescued in Quito, Ecuador During Operation Global Impact 2025ย 

In Ecuador, a 17-year-old girl was missing from her hometown after she was falsely promised a job by suspicious men. What seemed like an opportunity quickly became a trap, and she was forced into sexual exploitation. Her case sparked an investigation that would lead to the rescue of two teenage…

4 min read
Field Operations
Operation Global Impact 2025 – FIRST UPDATE

Operation Global Impact 2025 is underway and multiple law enforcement actions have already taken place in the Latin America and Asia regions, with many more to come.ย  In total, 33 law enforcement actions have been carried out since Operation Global Impact 2025 began in August. The results? 47 suspects have…

1 min read
Field Operations
ESD K9 Trace Assists in Three Arrests in Thunder Bay Child Exploitation Investigationsย 

K9 Trace, an Our Rescue-sponsored Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) dog, has already supported law enforcement in over 30 searches since joining the Thunder Bay Police Service in January 2024. In his short two years of service, Trace has helped officers uncover devices in critical cases, including three recent child exploitation…

1 min read
Field Operations
Coordinated Prison Raid in Ecuador Uncovers Disturbing Crimes

He promised children free video games. What they got instead was exploitation. In Ecuador, a 24-year-old man, barely three weeks into a prison sentence for gender-based violence, is the alleged suspect in a disturbing case of child sexual exploitation that investigators say began in a neighborhood cyber cafรฉ and continued…

1 min read
Mission Stories
Training Sponsored by Our Rescue Leads to Major Success for Minnesota Task Forceย 

Earlier this year, four officers from the East Metro Human Trafficking Task Force enrolled in Our Rescueโ€™s Human Trafficking Task Force program. Through this training, they received specialized instruction and equipment designed to help them identify, investigate, and respond to trafficking.  Just months later, those same officers reported their first…

2 min read
Field Operations
An Inside Look At Our Rescue’s First Domestic Surge Operation

Predators and traffickers donโ€™t stop at state lines, and we donโ€™t either.   In August 2025, the first surge operation of the Interstate Justice Coalition put that reality into sharp focus. For two days, teams worked across Mississippi, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, bringing together three independent nonprofits working…

1 min read
Field Operations
Nine Women Rescued from Trafficking in Panama, 2 Men Arrested

In Panama, two men were smuggling nine Iranian women from Panama City to the Costa Rican border. However, instead of safely transporting the women, the men forced them into sexual exploitation, telling them it was to pay for their transportation costs, trapping them in a nightmare far from home. The…

1 min read
Field Operations
From Rescue to Reunion: Survivor Returns Home to Boliviaโ€ฏย 

On June 21, 2025, a Bolivian human trafficking survivor was safely repatriated from Lima, Peru to her hometown of Cochabamba, Bolivia thanks to the combined efforts of Our Rescue, the Peruvian Public Prosecutorโ€™s Office of the Lima Region, and the Bolivian Consulate in Lima.โ€ฏ  This survivor had endured significant trauma…

2 min read
Field Operations
Suspects in Northern Kentucky Possess CSAM, ESD K9 Mo Helps Strike Backย 

Children being exploited online is an ever-growing threat in communities across the country. Every day, predators use technology to share, download, and distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM), leaving children traumatized and putting more in danger. These crimes arenโ€™t just staying hidden on the internet, they are spreading into neighborhoods,…

1 min read
Field Operations
Zanesville Man Sentenced to 13โ€“16 Years in Prison for Possessing Exploitative Material Involving Minorsย 

In early 2025, detectives received a tip through the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) data system about possible child sexual abuse material (CSAM) being uploaded from a Kik messenger account in Zanesville, Ohio. After further investigation, the report, submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, led investigators…

2 min read
Field Operations
Operation Gran Guardian 02: Six-Month Investigation Leads to Arrest for Child Sexual Abuse Materialย 

In one of Ecuadorโ€™s most volatile urban zones, where the threat of organized crime looms heavy and law enforcement presence is often met with resistance, a joint operation was quietly set in motion. It was the culmination of a six-month investigation, one that would lead police deep into Monte Sinai,…

2 min read
Training and Prevention
Honoring a Heroic Team: ESD K9 Mousse and Special Agent McVey Retire After Years of Dedicated Service Protecting Children

This summer marks the retirement of Our Rescue-sponsored Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Mousse, Iowaโ€™s first Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9. For five years, Mousse has worked alongside his handler, Special Agent Michael McVey with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, supporting investigations into child exploitation and human trafficking across…

1 min read
Field Operations
Six Arrested, 1 Survivor Rescued in Spain During Cross-Border Human Trafficking Crackdownย 

A young Panamanian woman, lured with false promises of work, was trafficked to Spain and forced into sexual exploitation. Criminal elements in Colombia, Spain, and Panama were working together to recruit and transport women for this purpose, and she fell prey to their international network. Her freedom stripped, her documents…

2 min read
Field Operations
1 Small Town, 3 Arrests

Our Rescue-funded tech helps arrest three men for alleged child sexual abuse and exploitation in separate cases In Anderson, California, three separate men were arrested within months of each other, each accused of crimes involving the sexual abuse and the exploitation of children. The details differ, but the pattern of…

1 min read
Field Operations
Operation Fog: A Digital Trail Leads to Justice in Thailandย 

He was just 22 years old, living in a quiet neighborhood in Northeastern Thailand. To most, he likely looked like any other young man. But behind a network of private chat groups, he was allegedly managing channels used to distribute suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) for profit.  His setup…

1 min read
Field Operations
Albanian State Police Bring Down Multi-National Trafficking Network

Forty-four Colombian women thought they were leaving home for better opportunities. Promises of work and a better future drew them thousands of miles from home, all the way to Albania. But when they arrived, the truth quickly unraveled. There were no jobs waiting, only control, violence, and sexual exploitation.  We…

1 min read
Survivor Care
Eight-Year-Old Peruvian Survivor Confronts Possibility of HIV Infection After Sexual Abuseย 

This time of year, most kids are enjoying fun days with friends and family. But for an eight-year-old girl in Lima, Peru, the month of June included being tested for HIV, after she survived the horrors of sexual abuse and having it recorded and distributed on the internet as child…

1 min read
Field Operations
5-Year-Oldโ€™s Nightmare Ends, Our Rescueโ€™s Forensic Donation Helps in Caseย 

A five-year-old girl in Hartford, Vermont was betrayed by someone her family thought they could trust. The 33-year-old man, who lived in the same apartment building, offered to help watch her. But during this time, he sexually abused the child and used her to create child sexual abuse material (CSAM). …

2 min read
Field Operations
Three Arrested for Trafficking Women in Northern Greeceย 

A woman, lured to Greece by false promises of lucrative work, found herself trapped instead in a nightmare of exploitation. Deceived into thinking she would earn a good living, she arrived by plane just days before being locked into a cycle of sexual abuse and intimidation. The traffickers handed her keys to an apartment…

2 min read
Training and Prevention
Our Rescue Announces the โ€œICAC CONNECTโ€ Program, Designed to Equip Law Enforcement in the Fight Against ย Sex Trafficking and Online Child Exploitation ย ย ย 

Minneapolis, MN โ€” June 23, 2025โ€ฏโ€” Our Rescue formally announces the launch of the first-ever program calledโ€ฏโ€œICAC Connect,โ€โ€ฏdesigned to support North American Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces by providingโ€ฏadvanced investigative tools, data analytics, ICAC Officer Training Scholarships, and community-driven fundingโ€ฏto combat online child exploitation, particularlyโ€ฏCSAM (child sexual abuse…

1 min read
Training and Prevention
A Record-Breaking Class of ESD K9 Teams Join the Fight Against Child Exploitationย 

Just last week, Our Rescue celebrated a powerful milestone: the largest class of Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9s we’ve ever sponsored graduated the Jordan Detection K9 program. Now, 11 new ESD K9 teams are ready to support law enforcement agencies across North America in the search for hidden electronic devices…

1 min read
Field Operations
Family Friend Arrested for Child Sexual Exploitation in Thailand, 14-Year-Old Boy Rescuedย 

When the family friend of a fourteen-year-old Thai boy being cared for by his aunt offered to step in and help, it seemed like an ideal situation. The boyโ€™s parents were both in jail, and the aunt was struggling financially. Receiving care and attention from an adult male would be…

1 min read
Field Operations
48 Hours in Indonesia โ€“ Part IIย 

Operation Badik – Back-to-Back Arrests in the Fight Against Child Exploitation Our Rescue Indonesia and law enforcement strike again just 48 hours apart.  Before the dust could settle from Operation Borneo Bound, the Our Rescue team in Indonesia boarded another flight, this time headed to South Sulawesi. Why? Because in a…

2 min read
Field Operations
Two Provinces. One Day. A Race to Rescue Children in Ecuadorย 

6-year-old girl and 8-year-old brother rescued, half-brother arrested  At the beginning of the year, Ecuadorian authorities were handed a disturbing lead: a thumb drive found abandoned on a bus near the Amazon region, which contained child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The team urgently needed to locate the survivors and put…

1 min read
Field Operations
48 Hours in Indonesiaย – Part 1

ย First two operations in Indonesia of 2025 strike deep into the heart of digital trafficking networks โ€“ 2 suspects arrested. ย  Part 1: Operation Borneo Bound  Deep in an isolated region of South Kalimantan, one man was quietly distributing images that should never exist. Behind the closed doors of his…

2 min read
Field Operations
From Prosecution to Urgent Survivor Care: 12-Year-Old Boy Rescued in Peruย 

After three years of sexual abuse, a twelve-year-old Peruvian boy had completely withdrawn from his regular routine. Sinking into a deep depression, he rarely left the house and stopped attending school.   The perpetrator? A twenty-seven-year-old man who had befriended the boysโ€™ family after he began working construction in the rural…

2 min read
Field Operations
From Coast to Coast: Our Rescue Supports Nationwide Stand Against Human Traffickingย 

Across the United States, human trafficking doesnโ€™t always happen in the shadows. Often, itโ€™s woven into the fabric of everyday life.  In neighborhoods, in businesses that seem ordinary, in places people pass by every day without a second thought. Illicit massage businesses (IMBs) are one of the most common covers…

2 min read
Field Operations
A Quiet Room, a Hidden Crime โ€” and the Team That Brought It to Lightย 

In a quiet town in Central Thailand, a young boy was suffering in silence.  He was just 15 years old โ€” a student, a son, a child whose life should have been filled with friends, school, and the promise of the future. Instead, someone he trusted used their position of…

1 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue Peru and Ecuador Teams Reach Across Borders to Help in Child Trafficking Caseย 

It wasnโ€™t long after a fourteen-year-old Peruvian girl didnโ€™t return home from the market that her familyโ€™s fears were confirmed: she had been kidnapped and trafficked. The Peruvian National Police began an investigation and identified her trafficker as a Peruvian national with a history of sexually abusing children. The abuser…

1 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue Supports First Operation in Romania

Authorities Dismantle Trafficking Operation in Eastern Europe, Rescue Two Survivorsย ย  In Romania, a 57-year-old man allegedly spent five years trafficking two women in Eastern Europe and forcing them into being sexually exploited for his profit.  According to Romanian authorities, in 2020 he began targeting women who came from at-risk situations,…

1 min read
Field Operations
Electronic Storage Detection K9s Sniff Out CSAM, Leading to Arrests in Ecuadorย 

During a string of recent successful operations in Ecuador to arrest perpetrators of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), one of the most important partners was on scene to help secure justice. Along with provincial and national police, the State Attorney General and even U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, specially trained Our…

We fight monsters partnership with Our Rescue
2 min read
Training and Prevention
Our Rescue and We Fight Monsters partner to build โ€œHope Houseโ€ in Memphis, TN

Memphis, TN (May 22, 2025) – In a united effort to support survivors of sex trafficking in the U.S.,ย Our Rescueย andย We Fight Monsters have signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to renovate and complete construction of a new โ€œHope Houseโ€ โ€“ a Recovery House for Survivors.

1 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue Donation Supports Carteret County Sheriff’s Office in Child Exploitation Casesย 

At Our Rescue, we know that the right tools can make all the difference in stopping child predators. Thatโ€™s why we provide essential technology and training to law enforcement agencies around the worldโ€”including here in the U.S. In Carteret County, North Carolina, equipment donated by Our Rescue recently played a…

2 min read
Field Operations
Two-Decade Reign of Abuse Ends with Life Sentence for Child Predatorย 

ESD K9 Heroes Help Bring Justice in Iowa Child Exploitation Caseย  For over 20 years, a man named Carl Markley used fraud and coercion to get dozens of teens, mostly boys, to engage in sex acts. As a nurse practitioner and business owner in Ames, Iowa, Markley used his position…

3 min read
Field Operations
Ghana Operation Uncovers Massive Cyber Trafficking Networkย 

In the early morning of April 17, 2024, Our Rescue Ghana joined Ghanaian authorities in one of the largest anti-trafficking and cybercrime operations in the nationโ€™s history. Over 200 survivorsโ€”mostly young men and boysโ€”were rescued from 22 locations across an 80-unit housing estate, many of whom had been lured from…

6 min read
Field Operations
National Police Week 2025 and Our Rescue’s Partnership with Law Enforcement

During National Police Week 2025, law enforcement officers across the United States will gather in Washington, D.C. to honor fallen heroes on the frontlines. The memorial march and planned events from May 11-17 will unite police survivors and active-duty officers in a major event that transcends remembrance. This year's gathering holds special significance as Our Rescue celebrates unprecedented achievements in supporting law enforcement agencies nationwide.

1 min read
Field Operations
Multi-Country Operation Dismantles Pedophile Platform: Bulgarian Cybercrime Directorate Helps Protect 39 Children

In March, Bulgarian law enforcement delivered a powerful blow to online child exploitationthrough a Europol-supported global crackdown on a major child sexual abuse material(CSAM) platform, Kidflix. With nearly two million users, Kidflix has become one of thelargest known platforms for CSAM. The General Directorate Combating Organized Crimeโ€™s (GDCOC) Cybercrime Directorateplayed…

1 min read
Field Operations
No Expiration for Justice: Thai Authorities and Our Rescue Take Down Repeat CSAM Offenderย 

Nearly ten years after a Thai man filmed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) involving a nine-year-old boy, he was still distributing the video online. CSAM has no expiration dateโ€”and neither did his crimes. Previously arrested, jailed, and then released after distributing similar material, he continued sharing the video of the…

5 min read
Training and Prevention
Our Rescue Joins Rotary VTT Team in Australia to Combat Sex Trafficking: A Global Effort for Changeย 

In March 2025, member of the Our Rescue Training & Prevention team embarked on a transformative month-long journey to Western Australia, invited by Rotary District 5300 as part of Rotary International’s Vocational Training Team (VTT) program. This initiative, backed by a Rotary Foundation grant, allows professionals from around the world…

1 min read
Training and Prevention
Our Rescue Donates Digital Forensic Device and Helps Stop Abuse of Minorsย ย 

For a 26-year-old man from Middletown, New York, TikTok wasnโ€™t an entertainment site. It was a hunting ground and a place to meet girls under the age of 18. Even though he knew the explicit texts and FaceTime calls he instigated with a 15-year-old were illegal, that didnโ€™t stop him…

Survivor from First Our Rescue Operation in Europe Reclaims Future with New Business
2 min read
Survivor Care
Mission Update: Survivor from First Our Rescue Operation in Europe Reclaims Future with New Businessย 

**In this story, the survivor’s name has been changed to protect her identity.  Two years ago, Our Rescue worked alongside authorities to help dismantle an international trafficking ring preying on vulnerable women from Latin America and Africa. The traffickers lured them to Greece with false promises…

2 min read
Survivor Care
Redefining the Future: A Survivorโ€™s Path to Entrepreneurshipย 

**In this story, the survivor’s name has been changed to protect her identity.  Tsehay thought the opportunity to go to Lebanon and become a domestic worker would be a good way to provide for herself and her family.   Instead, Tsehay suffered traumatic abuse at the hands of her employers,…

1 min read
Field Operations
Operation Amanecer III: Our Rescue Assists in the Arrest of Children’s Music Teacher in Ecuador After a Decade on the Runย ย 

A man in Latin America was wanted on charges of rape of minors and the production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) since 2014. The suspected pedophile worked as a childrenโ€™s music teacher, taking advantage of his trusted position with students to sexually exploit them. Despite his crimes and the…

1 min read
Field Operations
Wyoming Man Faces 548 Years in Prison for Creating and Distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material of 16-Year-Old Girlย 

A 34-year-old Wyoming man faces 548 years in prison if heโ€™s convicted of all the charges for the manufacturing, possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) following his arrest.   The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children,…

2 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue Partners with Peruvian Authorities to Dismantle Sex Trafficking Networkย 

70 survivors identified and 7 suspects arrested in collaborative operationย ย  The Peruvian town of Llacuabamba, nestled in the rugged Andean mountains, is far from any typical tourist route. Located a grueling 15-hour drive from the coastal city of Trujillo, it is separated by miles of barren terrain and challenging mountain…

1 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue and Thai Authorities Rescue 12-Year-Old Boy and Dismantle Illicit Chat Groupย ย 

An informant for the Thailand Internet Crime Against Children (TICAC) program thought the group on the chat app seemed suspicious. His instincts were correct. For 150 Thai Baht, equivalent to $4.45, anyone could purchase a lifetime membership to the group and get access to a trove of Child Sexual Abuse…

2 min read
Field Operations
A Fatherโ€™s Love Leads to Criminal Arrests and the Rescue of Eight Trafficking Survivors in Peruย 

In January 2024, a desperate father pleaded with authorities in Peru to help him find and rescue his 17-year-old daughter, who had been kidnapped by a Venezuelan Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) and trafficked to a southern Peruvian coastal town for sexual exploitation.   To help with this lifesaving mission, the Peruvian…

2 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue Partners with Police in Greece to Bust Human Trafficking Ringย 

Thirteen women from Latin America and Eastern Europe arrived in Greece with dreams of a better future. They believed they had secured stable jobs, only to have their passports ripped from their hands and their identities stripped away. Trapped in a nightmare, their captors forced them into sex work under…

1 min read
Training and Prevention
Congratulations to the K9 Class of Spring 2025!ย 

We are excited to announce the graduation of eight new Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9s from the Jordan Detection K9 training program! These incredible dogs completed their training on Friday, March 14, and are being placed in police departments across the country and Canada to help fight child exploitation. Our…

3 min read
Survivor Care
Lives on the Line: The Urgent Need for More Survivor Shelters Near Nepal and India Borderย 

Lives on the Line: The Urgent Need for More Survivor Shelter Near Nepal and India Border  Charimaya Tamang was just 16-years-old when her life and dreams were violently disrupted, as traffickers forced her across the border from Nepal to India.  For nearly two years, she endured unimaginable abuse, suffering, and…

2 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue and Thailand Policeย Rescue Six-year-old Girl from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation by Family Memberย ย 

โ€ฏโ€ฏ  MINNEAPOLIS (March, 12) โ€“ Our Rescue, a global non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to combating sex trafficking and child exploitation, just completed a successful mission with Thailandโ€™s Internet Crimes Against Children (TICAC) Task Force to arrest a familial predator and remove a six-year-old girl who was…

2 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue Works with Thailand ICAC to Rescue Six-Year-Old Girlย 

On February 19, a coordinated effort between Our Rescue and Thailandโ€™s Internet Crimes Against Children (TICAC) Task Force led to the successful rescue of a six-year-old girl and the arrest of the family member who was abusing her.   The Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children (TICAC) Task Force, supported by the…

group of kids drawing on a paper heart
2 min read
Training and Prevention
Our Rescue Expands Partnership with Shakti Samuha to Open New Shelter for Survivorsย of Sex Trafficking in Nepalย ย 

Anti-trafficking Allies and Supporters Invited to Help Fund this Critical Housing and Survivor Care Initiativeย  MINNEAPOLIS (February 28, 2025)โ€ฏโ€“ Our Rescue, a global non-governmental organization dedicated to combating sex trafficking and child exploitation, is partnering with Shakti Samuha, an anti-human trafficking organization in Nepal, to open…

2 min read
Europe
Our Rescue Helps Strengthen Maltaโ€™s Fight Against Human Traffickingย 

In February, Our Rescueโ€™s Training & Prevention, Survivor Care, and Rescue Operations teams traveled to Maltaโ€”a beautiful island country on the Mediterranean Sea–with a shared mission: empower those on the front lines of justice.   Malta is on the Tier 2 Watchlist of the U.S. Department of Stateโ€™s Trafficking in Persons…

group of kids drawing on a paper heart
3 min read
Training and Prevention
Help Fund a Shelter in Nepal

For over six years, Our Rescue has partnered with Shakti Samuha, a pioneering survivor-led organization established in 1996. Shakti Samuha is dedicated to providing comprehensive support for survivors of human trafficking, including shelter, education, vocational training, and legal aid. In addition, the organization works closely with law enforcement to combat…

1 min read
Field Operations
Operation in Greece Dismantles Major Human Trafficking Networkย ย 

In a significant step against sex trafficking, Greek authorities, with support from Our Rescue and nonprofit A21, dismantled a criminal trafficking organization in December of 2024.ย ย  The Directorate for Combating Organized Crime led the investigation, uncovering a network that had been operating since 2019. The traffickers targeted vulnerable women abroad,…

1 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue ESD K9 Cruzer Uncovers Key Evidence in Federal Child Sexual Abuse Material Caseย ย 

Jesse Blaine, 42, of Harlan, Iowa, has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison after Our Rescue-sponsored Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Cruzer and his handler helped search his home, finding hidden electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material.   The investigation began with a CyberTip from the National Center…

1 min read
Field Operations
Our Rescue-Supported Operation in Ghana Results in 19 Rescues, Including 8 Minorsย 

In November of 2024, Our Rescue proudly collaborated with the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service to support a crucial rescue operation.  The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit initiated the operation, following an investigation that found children had been trafficked from Nigeria into Ghana and then forced into illicit cyber…

2 min read
Field Operations
Multi-National Rescue Operation in Bangkok: Eight Survivors Rescued, Three Offenders Arrestedย 

In December 2024, eight survivors of sex trafficking were rescued by authorities in a coordinated operation in Bangkok, Thailand. The survivors included seven Tanzanian women, aged 22-36, and one Kenyan woman. Additionally, the operation resulted in the arrests of three offenders connected to a transnational criminal organization.  Arrested Offenders:  49-year-old…

1 min read
Field Operations
Suspect Arrested in Panama for Sexual Crimes Against a Minorย 

This month, the DIJ Judicial Police Sexual Crimes Unit in Panama, supported by the Our Rescue team, successfully apprehended an adult male suspect for the sexual exploitation of a minor. The suspect, a cousin of the minor, had been allegedly abusing the fifteen-year-old girl for a period of two months.

1 min read
Survivor Care
12-year-old survivor in Latin America walks again

Alejandro is a 12-year-old boy in Latin America who was born with a severe disability and epilepsy, facing unimaginable challenges from the start. His condition from birth left him with limited mobility, and his early years were marked by both physical and emotional abuse. Devastatingly, Alejandro was also trafficked, which…

1 min read
Field Operations
Five New ESD K9s Graduate, Marking 110 Heroes in the Fight Against Child Exploitation

We are excited to announce that five new K9s have completed their specialized Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) training this month. These incredible dogs graduated from the program on November 15, bringing the total number of Our Rescue sponsored ESD K9s worldwide to 110. This milestone was made possible through the…

Operation Drunken, multiple people standing around late at night , OUR Rescue on scene.
1 min read
Asia
Operation Drunkenย 

A Southeast Asian woman is believed to have sexually exploited her 17-year-old transgender niece for nearly a month, using her karaoke bar and massage parlor businesses as fronts to carry out the exploitation.  The Thailand Royal Policeโ€™s Anti-Trafficking in Personโ€™s Sub-Division 5 (ATPD) found out about the alleged exploitation first.

2 min read
Field Operations
OUR Rescue Supports Argentinaโ€™s Largest Operation Targeting Online Child Exploitation Networksย 

Multi-city, multi-agency effort leads to 116 arrests and 70 survivors identifiedย  SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 18, 2024 โ€“ On Nov. 12, 2024, the Buenos Aires Public Prosecutorโ€™s Office, OUR Rescue and several other international law enforcement agencies and nonprofit organizations carried out โ€œOperation Childhood Protection IVโ€ โ€“ the Argentinaโ€™s largest…

2 min read
Field Operations
OUR Rescue Supports International Multi-Agency Operation to Take Down Spanish Sex Traffickers

Surprise Sting Yields 18 Arrests and 18 Victim Rescues [Salt Lake City, UT] โ€“ November 7, 2024 โ€“ In October of 2024, OUR Rescue participated inOperation PRIOR, a multi-agency effort alongside the Spanish Policia Nacional (SNP), thePolicรญa Nacional de Colombia, INTERPOL, and the Spanish Guardia Civil. OUR Rescue wason the…

Bulgarian mobile center project
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Training and Prevention
Bulgarian Mobile Center Project: Empowering At-Risk Communities through Partnership and Innovation

In a remote Roma neighborhood in Bulgaria, a mobile education center is bringing hope and knowledge to children who once lived in the shadow of exploitation. This innovative project is the result of a unique collaboration between OUR Rescue and Foundation for Hope, a local NGO that has been tirelessly…

1 min read
Training and Prevention
OUR Rescue Partners with Utah Navajo Health System to Empower Indigenous Communities and Combat Sexual Exploitation

From left to right: Ophelia Holiday (Sexual Assault Prevention Specialist for UNHS), June Haskell (OUR Rescue Director of Survivor Engagement), Allison Smith (OUR Rescue Senior Director of Education), and Thomasina Holly (Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for UNHS).

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Asia
Operation Big Hat

Officials in Asia reported that a woman was using her power as the owner of a karaoke bar to exploit two teenage girls, selling them for sex. Local police contacted OUR Rescue to request that we assist their investigative efforts. At that point, officials knew the bar was recruiting females…

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Training and Prevention
Foxwynd Foundation Supports OUR Rescue with $75K Grant to Expand ESD K9 Program and Fight Sex Traffickingย 

The grant will provide vital support to law enforcement in the fight against sex trafficking and child exploitation  Salt Lake City, Utah โ€“ October 7, 2024 โ€“ OUR Rescue, a global nonprofit on a mission to end sex trafficking and child exploitation worldwide, today announced a transformative $75,000 grant provided…

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Survivor Care
Our Rescue Partners with Unbound Now in North Texas

Unbound Now is a global organization with a mission to end human trafficking through prevention, professional training, and survivor advocacy. With a presence across Texas, Louisiana, and several other cities worldwide, Unbound Now is committed to fostering collaboration between communities, law enforcement, and government agencies to create lasting change. The…

1 min read
Survivor Care
Support Survivors: Help Fill Amazon Wish Lists

We need your help to provide school supplies and basic needs to survivors and individuals at risk of human trafficking! By contributing in-kind donations of these items, you can make a direct impact and provide much-needed support.

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Field Operations
Charity Making a Difference in the Bluegrass State

Charity, one of the 100 Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9s supported by OUR Rescue, has been working with the Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Special Victims Unit of the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General since March. In just a few months on the job, the two-year-old Labrador Retriever has…

2 min read
Survivor Care
Reflections from Indonesia Survivor Care

At OUR Rescue, we are deeply committed to not only ensuring rescues and arrests but to also helping secure justice for survivors. In early July, an OUR Rescue Survivor Care manager was waiting to testify as an expert witness for a baby trafficking case in Jakarta, Indonesia. We are grateful…

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Field Operations
Operation Caged Birds

In the Caribbean, a sex trafficking investigation began after the Dominican Consulate received details that a woman was allegedly being held against her will and sex trafficked at an apartment by a known sex trafficking ring. AMERIPOL Colombia and the Dominican National Police (DNP) then got involved. At the request…

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Field Operations
ESD K9 Tera

Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Tera is helping the Lake County Sheriffโ€™s Office in Illinois apprehend predators. Earlier this year, she found key evidence in a case that began when a messaging app detected multiple child sexual abuse material (CSAM) files on its platform. Authorities identified 24-year-old Jared Honegger as the…

Washington DC
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Training and Prevention
OUR Rescue Attends Global NCOSE Summit in Washington, D.C.

OUR Rescue CEO Tammy Lee, and members of the team were honored to participate in the 2024 Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation (CESE) Global Summit, hosted by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) in Washington, D.C.ย  This event gathers leading voices from around the world to address the pervasive…

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Field Operations
K9 Iris Helping Keep Wisconsin Safe

Iris, an Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9, is hard at work in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The 6-year-old Labrador Retriever has helped law enforcement in three separate cases since late May, leading to multiple arrests. In a county neighboring Kenosha, an investigator discovered that Ryan St. John, 46, shared and distributed child…

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Field Operations
Operation Pakkapao

In a beach town, a woman sexually exploited two teenage girls at the karaoke bar she owned, according to multiple agencies in Asia.  OUR Rescue investigators used open-source intelligence to locate the karaoke bar after suspecting it of employing and exploiting minors. With permission from local authorities, we then visited…

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Field Operations
Operation Beacon of Light

A South American man allegedly produced and distributed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of a 14-year-old. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline was the first to hear of this potential crime. With it being within their jurisdiction, the Ecuadorian National Police (ENP) got involved. Unidad Contra La…

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Field Operations
Operation Amazon

In a tribe in the Amazon rainforest, a father and two uncles were allegedly sexually abusing six children. The Ecuadorian National Police (ENP) found out about the possible crimes in March 2024 when the childrenโ€™s mother came forward to authorities. The ENPโ€™s human trafficking unit then planned a rescue operation.

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Field Operations
International Law Enforcement Collaboration Leads to Arrest of Pediatrician in Ecuador for Child Sexual Exploitation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Utah-based OUR Rescue provided critical training, cyber tools, and K9 support to aid in arrest Quito, Ecuador โ€“ July 12, 2024 โ€“ On July 10, in partnership with teams from OUR Rescue and U.S. law enforcement, Ecuadorian authorities successfully apprehended a well-known pediatrician on charges of…

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Field Operations
June ESD K9 Graduations

Thanks to funding from OUR Rescue donors, five Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9s graduated from training on June 28.

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Field Operations
Operation Mulley

Two women were allegedly sexually exploiting a 17-year-old in Thailand for nearly two months, according to authorities. Knowing the minor had a young daughter that she was responsible for, the women reportedly took advantage of her financial vulnerability. An investigation into potential criminal activity began after local law enforcement found…

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Field Operations
K9 Jib Helps Convict Predator

On May 30, a North Dakota judge sentenced predator Nicholas Morgan-Derosier to 40 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to seven criminal charges tied to possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Jib, an Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 supported by OUR Rescue, helped the Grand Forks…

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Field Operations
Nala & the Angry Bird

The following is a firsthand account from Detective Gill of the Seattle Police Department. I have been a Seattle Police Officer for 17 years. It was a natural choice for me; Iโ€™ve always had a strong desire to help people in need. Joining the ICAC unit in 2015 felt like…

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Field Operations
Bulgarian Border Police Putting Donations to Use

Over the last 12 months, the Bulgarian Border Police (BBP) have investigated 31 cases of human trafficking and assisted numerous individuals using technical equipment and vehicles that were donated by OUR Rescue. So far, 14 of the cases have been presented for prosecution, while investigations are ongoing in nine others.

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Field Operations
Operation RIOMAR

In Spain, officials say that 14 women were being forced into commercial sex work after suspected traffickers used elderly caregiver job offers to lure the women to the country.โ€ฏ Traffickers reportedly forced the women to be available 24 hours a day and live in extremely unsanitary conditions. When they were…

Operation Wonky
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Asia
Operation Wonky

A bar owner was reportedly offering free accommodations, water, and electricity to attract new employees. After placing himself in a position of increased power, he reportedly encouraged six vulnerable hires to engage in sex work. Of these females, five were minors.ย ย  The vigilant OUR Rescue team in Asia used information…

ESD k9 Boone with handler
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Field Operations
ESD K9 Boone

An Illinois man is alleged to have secretly recorded his stepdaughter and other family members by using a camera that was disguised as a screw. Police say Timothy Mol, 45, placed the camera in a switch plate โ€“ the small piece of plastic that surrounds a light switch โ€“ on…

Our Rescue Operator standing in front of computer.
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Field Operations
Operation Los Cabineros

In Peru, it has been reported that two men worked together to create and distribute Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) of boys between 8-10 years old.  One of the suspects operated an internet center on the first floor of his home. With video games available to be played, this gave…

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Field Operations
Operation Snow White

In Thailand, a woman allegedly began trafficking a 13-year-old on her first day of work at a karaoke bar. For six days, the minor was reportedly exploited to provide business clients with the specific sexual services they desired. OUR Rescue operators became suspicious of criminal activity at the bar and…

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Survivor Care
Survivor Update: Flora Graduates High School

Flora was trafficked when she was 11 years old by a local gang in her hometown that was run by a judge. This was her life for two years before O.U.R. intervened.

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Survivor Care
International Sex Trafficking Ring Dismantled โ€“ 51 Survivors Freed!

In a joint effort by the Hellenic Police, the Spanish National Police, INTERPOL, Our Rescue, A21, and Homeland Security Investigations, 22 individuals were apprehended.

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Survivor Care
Voices of Freedom

We stand with survivors of human trafficking and exploitation in their healing journey. With your support, we can continue to provide survivors with invaluable tools they need to heal and thrive.

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Survivor Care
Survivor Story: Susie

Susie supported herself financially by braiding hair. She went door to door selling her services to locals in her hometown in East Africa. She had been toiling away in her small hometown, feeling trapped by circumstances that she couldn’t control. That’s when a chance encounter with a European man changed…

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Field Operations
How Our Rescue Went Undercover In One Of The Largest Anti-Trafficking Operations In Dominican Republic History

Responding to a request for assistance from the Dominican governmentโ€™s Specialized Anti-Trafficking Police (PETT), O.U.R. Operators went undercover to confirm the existence of multiple transnational trafficking rings. These networks were reportedly dedicated to recruiting young women, between 15-23 years of age, to be sexually exploited for financial gain.

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Field Operations
Q&A with Undercover Idaho Police Officer

Once Sgt.ย Kuohaย realizedย how common these sorts of crimes and online enticement were, even in his smallย jurisdiction, he and his team were determined to teach the predators a lesson.

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Field Operations
How Our Rescue and Jordan Detection K9 Are Putting ESD K9s Across the Nation

What started with one dog has grown into a nationwide task force of K9s, all helping law enforcement fight against human trafficking and child exploitation.

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Survivor Care
Nine-Year-Old “Hailey,” Trafficked by Her Neighbor, Returns Home with a New Awareness of Her Rights

โ€œHailey,โ€ age 9, was swimming in her local community pool down the street from her home in South America when her neighbor, an adult male, approached her.

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Survivor Care
The Boy in the Green Shirt

The โ€œBoy in the Green Shirtโ€ was an investigation that started in Southeast Asia after the police in another country found photos of an unidentified young boy in a green shirt being sexually assaulted. The offender had unique, identifiable physical traits, so local police were able to quickly identify a citizen with matching traits to this alleged offender...

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Survivor Care
Survivor Story: “I am free”

The O.U.R. Aftercare team was invited to Central America to visit an aftercare home, which was brought to their attention by a mutual friend and lawyer who is contracted there. She relayed to the team about the survivors who she had gotten to know and love and invited the group to come see for themselves.

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Survivor Care
7-Year-Old “Little Wonder Woman” Helps Save Two More Survivors

When the identity of 7-year-old Sabrina was verified from an online child exploitation video, O.U.R. and law enforcement quickly made plans to arrest the traffickers and remove her from harmโ€™s way.