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Our Rescueย Appointsย Shawn Henry to Global Nonprofit Board of Directorsย 

Executive Advisor to the CrowdStrike CEO and Former FBI Executive Assistant Director Brings Extensive Cybersecurity and Investigative Expertise to the Fight Against Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation   MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. โ€“ June 10, 2026 โ€“ Our Rescue, a global nonprofit dedicated to combating human trafficking and child exploitation, today announced the appointment of Shawn Henry, executive advisor to the CEO at…

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…

13 min read
Homepage Featured
Euphoriaย and Human Trafficking: What the Show Gets Rightย and Where It Misses the Markย 

By Amy Bruins, Vice President of Community Impact, Our Rescueย  Mature Content Warning:ย This article discusses mature themes portrayed inย Euphoria,ย including addiction, sexual exploitation, coercion, assault, commercial sexual exploitation, forced criminality, and human trafficking.ย  Euphoria (HBO) has never been a show that shies away from difficult subjects. The series explores complex and often uncomfortable themes including addiction, coercion,…

12 min read
Homepage Featured
Law Enforcement and Mental Health: Addressing Trauma in Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) Investigations

By Jim Cole, Senior Advisor for Cyber Strategy and Child Protection, Our Rescue  Published in recognition of National Police Week, May 2026  People ask me, โ€œHow do you do it?โ€  Not my law enforcement colleagues. They already know the answer, or they have their own version of it. The question…

9 min read
News Media
Denim Day: A Survivor’s Perspective on Healing

June Haskell brings over ten years of experience speaking as a survivor of sex trafficking, domestic violence, childhood trauma and drug endangerment. From policies and programs to events and media, June works as Director of Survivor Engagement at Our Rescue and is a valued and respected resource. April is…

3 min read
Organization
Give with Impact: How the 2026 Tax Law Could Benefit Your Charitable Tax Donationsย 

For many people, donating to a charity is about more than a tax deduction. It is about supporting the mission of an organization close to their heart and values. At Our Rescue, our donors help protect children and support survivors as they rebuild and move forward in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation. They…

1 min read
Homepage Featured
Our Rescue Joins International Gathering at INTERPOL

Our Rescue is proud to support international efforts to combat online child exploitation through technology innovation and advancement. Thank you to John Trenary, Vice President of Cyber, and Jim Cole, Senior Advisor of Cyber Strategy and Child Protection, for representing Our Rescue. This week in Lyon, France, 78 participants, from…

6 min read
News Media
Our Rescue Assists Operation Renewed Hope: ESD K9s Provide Comfort for the Heroes in the Fight

Inside DHSโ€™s Cyber Crimes Center (C3) in Fairfax, Virginia, I witnessed firsthand what global collaboration against child exploitation truly looks like when law enforcement officers from around the world gathered for Operation Renewed Hope. This past March, nearly 100 officers from 35 countries worked side by side, creating a temporary…

5 min read
Our Perspectives
Large Events and Human Trafficking: A Mardi Gras Case Study

Every year, Mardi Gras brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to New Orleans, filling the city with parades, music, and celebration. Large in-market events like this, often raise questions about whether human trafficking increases as well. The reality is more complex. Human trafficking does not occur only during major events.

2 min read
Homepage Featured
Our Rescue Welcomes Internationally Recognized Child Protection Expert Jim Cole

Our Rescue today announced that internationally recognized child exploitation expertย Jim Coleย has joinedย as the Senior Advisor,ย Cyber Strategy & Child Protection. In this role, Cole will focus onย strengthening partnerships with law enforcement and accelerating the identification and protection of child victims worldwide.ย  Cole bringsย nearly 37ย years of experience in government and law enforcement,…

1 min read
News Media
Our Rescue Welcomes Sonny Von Cleveland as Director of Public Engagement and Content

Our Rescue is pleased to welcome Sonny Von Cleveland as Director of Public Engagement and Content, a role designed to support and amplify survivor centered engagement. A nationally recognized advocate, author, speaker, and storyteller, Sonny brings lived experience and a commitment to healing, connection, and dignity. His work focuses on encouraging…

4 min read
Child Exploitation
With Just One Picture: How AI Has Changed Child Exploitationย 

In a recentย Guardian interview,ย actressย Mara Wilson, beloved for her work as a childย actressย in movies such asย โ€œMatilda,โ€ย andย โ€œMrs. Doubtfire,โ€ย shared a modern horror story. She discovered that her likeness when she was a child had been used to create AI-generated child sexual abuse materialย (AIG-CSAM). Her story…

3 min read
Child Exploitation
ย Children at Risk: A Sharp Rise in 2025 Reports of Online Exploitationย 

The online world your children explore every day is not a playground, itโ€™s a landscape of evolving threats. Just six months into 2025, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) released data showing a significant increase in reports related to online enticement, financial sextortion, AI-enabled exploitation, and child sex trafficking.  Importantly, NCMEC has noted…

5 min read
Child Exploitation
6-7 is Silly,ย 764ย is Deadly:ย The Rise of Decentralized Online Exploitation Terrorismย 

When we think about terrorism, we picture threats aimed at political ideologies or mass casualty attacks. But a new extremist threat is emerging, and it is aimed at our children with the intent to exploit.  This threat is a group called 764, a decentralized terrorist child exploitation network that U.S. law enforcement has described as a highest-priority terrorism threat. Unlike other terrorist networks, 764 does not target…

2 min read
News Media
Foxwynd Foundation Awards $75,000 Grant to Our Rescue to support Riverside County ICAC Efforts to Combat Child Exploitation

Salt Lake City, UTย โ€“ Our Rescue, a global nonprofit organization, has been awarded aย $75,000 grant from the Foxwynd Foundationย to advance its mission to end sex trafficking and child exploitation, by supporting the Riverside County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. This grant will support Our Rescueโ€™s regional operational program…

3 min read
News Media
New Addition to the Interstate Justice Coalition

Our Rescue and its partners in the Interstate Justice Coalition (IJC), Skull Games Solutions and We Fight Monsters, are proud to announce the addition of Operation Light Shine (OLS) as the newest member of the coalition. This partnership expands the reach and impact of multi-state surge operations combating sex trafficking…

5 min read
Child Exploitation
An Audacious Goal: The Future of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces

If thereโ€™s one thing Iโ€™ve witnessed over the years during my work for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and now at my current role as CEO of Our Rescue, itโ€™s the realization that the people who dedicate their lives to fighting child sexual exploitation are real life heroes.  Among…

3 min read
Organization
Announcing Operation Global Impact 2025: A Six-Weekย International Surge Against Human Traffickingย 

This fall, Our Rescue is launching Operation Global Impact 2025, a coordinated international surge operation across 10 countries in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.   We expect multiple operations with police partners in the coming weeks to identify and rescue survivors of sex trafficking and child exploitation, helping…

2 min read
Organization
Our Rescue announces the formation of โ€œInterstate Justice Coalitionโ€ with Skull Games Solutions and We Fight Monsters to power Multi-State Domestic Surge Operations team to combat trafficking.ย ย 

Minneapolis, MN โ€”โ€ฏ Our RescueTM, together with two non-profit partners Skull Games Solutions and We Fight Monsters, has announced the launch of a bold new U.S. based initiative, theโ€ฏInterstate Justice Coalition, a nimble multi-agency surge operation designed to support and enhance law enforcement efforts in disrupting…

5 min read
Our Perspectives
A dog trained to protect children also saved my own life

By Chaz Balogh, Our Rescue ESD K9 Program Relationship Managerย  A highly trained, excitable and lovable detective named Spike saved my life. I donโ€™t say that lightly. He brought me back to life, really, giving me a new purpose and rejuvenating my career in my lifelong mission to protect kids.

3 min read
Our Perspectives
The Cases We Carry

 A National Police Week Message from Our Rescue CEO Derek Benner All of us who are serving or have served in law enforcement have peered into some of the darkest corners of humanityโ€”investigating human trafficking, child exploitation, gang violence, cartel crimes, narcotics smuggling, illicit financial schemes, and fraud and scams.  …

4 min read
Important Dates
Arctic Quest: 8,000-Mile Motorcycle Ride Honors Indigenous Women and Girlsโ€ฏย Our Rescue, Mental Health Tech Company and First Nations Advocateโ€ฏUnite to Raise Awareness and Funds for Trafficking Survivorsโ€ฏย 

Minneapolis, MN (May 2, 2025) โ€“ To markโ€ฏNational Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girlsโ€ฏonโ€ฏMay 5, Our Rescue, a global non-governmental organization dedicated to combating sex trafficking and child exploitation, is partnering with First Nations advocate Esther Howard from the…

3 min read
Organization
Our Rescue Elects Two New Board Membersย ย 

Leaders Bring Expertise in Homeland Security and Fortune 500 Global Operations   Minneapolis, MN (April 17, 2025) – Our Rescue, a global non-governmental organization dedicated to combating sex trafficking and child exploitation, announces the appointment of two distinguished leaders to its Board of Directors: Jim Dinkins, President…

Photos of Our Rescue pillar work
5 min read
Our Perspectives
From Darkness to Light: The New Our Rescue

One year ago, I took on the opportunity of a lifetime as Our Rescueโ€™s new CEO. I accepted this pivotal role with one goal: to transform the organization as a leading partner in the mission to end sex trafficking and child exploitation.   I said โ€˜yesโ€™ because I saw so much…

Quote from Lindy Borchardt
2 min read
Organization
A โ€˜Survivor-Centered Prosecutorโ€™ Helps Transform Justice System as a Champion for Sex Trafficking Survivorsย 

A โ€œSurvivor-Centered Prosecutorโ€ Helps Transform Justice System as Champion for Sex-Trafficking Survivors  Assistant Criminal District Attorney Lindy Borchardt, of Tarrant County, Texas, sets the gold standard for what we champion at Our Rescue: to be the light in the darkness in the fight against human trafficking.ย  Lindy, who serves on…

Comedy for a Cause: Shining the Light in the Darkness of Human Trafficking.
3 min read
Important Dates
Our Rescue Marks International Womenโ€™s Day with Comedy for a Cause toย Raise Awareness of Sex Trafficking and Child Exploitationย 

Survivor and Stand-Up Comedian Marti MacGibbon to Headline Event   Minneapolis, MN, (January 28, 2025) – Our Rescue, a global non-governmental organization dedicated to combating sex trafficking and child exploitation, is marking International Womenโ€™s Day with โ€œComedy for a Cause: Shining the Light in the Darkness of…

1 min read
Our Perspectives
Our Rescue CEO Tammy Lee Joins National Podcast to Discuss Combating Human Trafficking in Short-Term Rentalsย 

Human trafficking is happening everywhere, including in all 50 U.S. states, and short-term rental properties are not immune. Our Rescue CEO Tammy Lee joined the โ€œShort Term Rental Secretsโ€ podcast to discuss how this pervasive issue can infiltrate communities in unexpected ways. Short-term rentals are typically homes and apartments rented through…

Our Rescue Grant Receipts
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Grants
Our Rescue Awards $100,000 in Grants to Texas-based Nonprofits Focused onย Fighting Sex Trafficking and Child Exploitationย 

Texas ranks second highest state in U.S. for reported human trafficking cases  Grants are part of Our Rescueโ€™s โ€œJoin the Fightโ€ educational campaign to observe National Human Trafficking Prevention Month this January  Minneapolis, MN, [January 14, 2025] โ€“ Our Rescue, a global non-governmental organization dedicated to…

2 min read
Grants
Our Rescue Awards $60,000 in Grants to Minnesota-based Nonprofits Focused onย Fighting Sex Trafficking and Child Exploitationย 

Grants are part of Our Rescueโ€™s โ€œJoin the Fightโ€ educational campaign to observeย National Human Trafficking Prevention Month this Januaryย  Minneapolis, MN, [January 15, 2025] โ€“ Our Rescue, a global non-governmental organization dedicated to combating sex trafficking and child exploitation, awarded a $50,000 grant to…

4 min read
Grants
Our Rescue Awards $260,000 in Grants to Nonprofits Across U.S.ย Focused on Fighting Sex Trafficking and Child Exploitationย 

Grants are part of Our Rescueโ€™s โ€œJoin the Fightโ€ educational campaign to mark National Human Trafficking Prevention Month this January  Minneapolis, MN, [January 14, 2025] โ€“ Our Rescue,โ€ฏa global non-governmental organization committed to fighting sex trafficking and child exploitation, has awarded $260,000 in grants to 10 nonprofit…

2 min read
Important Dates
11 Ways to Join the Fightโ„ข in Januaryย 

January 11 is a call to action: join our fight to eradicate sex trafficking and child exploitation here and everywhere. To mark National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the United States, we are shining a light on the global disgrace of human trafficking and inviting you to join as a…

5 min read
Organization
OUR Rescue Announces New Leadership Team Members to Expand its Global Mission and Impact

Former Leader of Homeland Security Investigations Derek Benner Joins as Chief Mission Officer MINNEAPOLIS (DEC. 19, 2024) โ€“ OUR Rescue, a global non-governmental organization (NGO) that partners to rescue and support survivors of sex trafficking and child exploitation, today announced the appointments of seven new members to its leadership…

2 min read
Our Perspectives
Our Rescue helps bring police partners together to dismantle sex trafficking ring and rescue survivors

Sex trafficking is a worldwide crime against women and children. Predators often form sophisticated networks to transport unsuspecting victims across international borders and then trap them in a life of sexual servitude.  Stopping these sex traffickers requires a coalition of organizations from different countries working together. Thatโ€™s where Our Rescue…

2024 OUR RESCUE impact
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Our Perspectives
Our Rescue’s 2024 Highlights: A Year of Impactย 

As 2024 draws to a close, Our Rescue is deeply grateful for your contribution in the fight to end sex trafficking and child exploitation. Every milestone reflects the dedication of our team, partners, donors, and supporters worldwide. Together, weโ€™ve made strides to protect the vulnerable, support survivors, and bring justice…

Tammy Lee speaking at an OUR Rescue event
1 min read
Organization
Give to the Max to End Sex Trafficking

Hello all,  We recently announced some exciting news: Our Rescue headquarters is moving to Minnesota.ย  The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are recognized for supporting a vibrant nonprofit sector, backed by a very generous philanthropic community. Minnesota also has a strong existing ecosystem of nonprofits who share our…

Many U.S. flags staggered in a green grass area
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Important Dates
A Veterans Day Message

Today, we proudly honor the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of our nationโ€™s veterans. Their unwavering commitment to protect and serve inspires us every day, and we are especially grateful for the veterans who are part of our team at OUR Rescue. Weโ€™re privileged to have individuals like Lance Lueck, Director…

2 min read
Our Perspectives
Sextortion: A crime against innocence

As a mom who worried everyday about my daughterโ€™s online safety when she was a tweener and teen, I can finally breathe easier now that she is an adult.  To all the parents and caring adults out there, we want to help you breathe easier as well. Throughout October, OUR…

2 min read
Our Perspectives
Standing Together Against Exploitationย 

by Tammy Lee, CEO of OUR Rescue    Eight months ago, I became the CEO of OUR Rescue. I’m launching this blog to create a space where we can have candid discussions about the challenges we face in combating sex trafficking and child exploitation. I hope that, together, we can bring…

2 min read
Organization
OUR Rescue is Moving Global Headquarters to Minneapolis

Move from Salt Lake City will Accelerate U.S. Expansion Plans for 2025 in the Fight to End Sex Trafficking and Child Exploitation Salt Lake City [October 28, 2024] โ€” OUR Rescue, a global nonprofit dedicated to combating sex trafficking and child exploitation, announced plans to move its global headquarters from…

5 min read
Organization
OUR Rescue Appoints Five New Members to Board of Directorsย ย 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  OUR Rescue Appoints Five New Members to Board of Directors New board members bring specialized expertise to guide the organizationโ€™s continued transformation and mission to end sex trafficking and child exploitation SALT LAKE CITY [SEPT. 10, 2024] โ€“ OUR Rescue, a Salt Lake City-based nonprofit, today announced…

6 min read
Getting it Right
The Truth Behind Sound of Freedom

With your newfound awareness gained from the film,ย knowing accurate information about child exploitation and human trafficking is the next step to effectively fight this unimaginable crime.

Rosco the dog
2 min read
Organization
More Than a Dog: Roscoโ€™s Impact

Dogs are often described as โ€œmanโ€™s best friendโ€ because they provide unconditional love to their families and those around them.  Rosco, a 2-year-old labrador retriever, fits that description perfectly. However, he is no ordinary dog. He works to keep children safe by fighting back against predators seeking to sexually exploit…

1 min read
Getting it Right
The Real Person Behind the Character “Giselle” in the Film โ€œSound of Freedomโ€ and the Story of Her Arrest

In 2014, O.U.R. conducted its biggest rescue operation to date. It was called Operation Triple Take, with three operations in three different Colombian cities to rescue victims of sex trafficking.