AAE: Adverse Adulthood Experiences Test
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AAE: Adverse Adulthood Experiences Test

The Adverse Adulthood Experiences Test (AAE) is a test inspired by the nationally recognized Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACEs) on the long-term impacts of childhood trauma. The AAE is similarly designed to measure adverse experiences within adulthood. Also, a history of adverse childhood experiences can compound and escalate adverse adult experiences. Cumulative trauma can affect…

Another Perspective to the Sound of Freedom Movie
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Another Perspective to the Sound of Freedom Movie

There is a lot of “buzz” about the recently released movie Sound of Freedom. Those of us who have lived and worked on the frontlines of child exploitation and sex trafficking are encouraged to see a discussion being started. However, what we call the “mountain of misinformation” is now massively huge. Now more than ever,…

16 Subtle Signs of Child Abuse
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16 Subtle Signs of Child Abuse

Being educated in subtle signs of child abuse is imperative to identifying and preventing harm. Subtle signs can be true of any exploitation. The signs often will not give you insight into the type of exploitation, but they provide you with a prompt that something may not be right. Personalities between children can vary greatly, so the…

A Mom’s Story: From Confusion to Confidence
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A Mom’s Story: From Confusion to Confidence

I have always had that extra dose of mommy worry. By reputation, I am the helicopter mom. I appeared confident but people didn’t know my secret. I’ve been afraid and confused. I have been terrified of failing as a mom, not protecting my children, and missing something important. That my children would suffer in silence,…

The Collateral Damage of Fostering or Adopting
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The Collateral Damage of Fostering or Adopting

Despite the best intentions, there is often collateral damage amid fostering and adoption. It is not a common topic, but it is a needed discussion. Our mission is to “prevent harm” by helping families navigate these complex realities and prevent and minimize collateral damage from coming to their households. Over three years, we have collaborated with a diverse group…

Letter to Foster Parents & Frontline Workers
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Letter to Foster Parents & Frontline Workers

It’s Foster Care Awareness Month, and we want to recognize you! Those of you on the frontlines serving victimized children in all hours of the day and night. It can easily seem like you are overlooked or forgotten. You serve children amid complex realities. It can appear that your efforts and heart often go unnoticed…

8 Warning Signs of Escalating Emotional Abuse
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8 Warning Signs of Escalating Emotional Abuse

Understanding the warning signs of escalating emotional abuse can be essential to preventative action. These escalation signs can be beneficial for those in domestic situations struggling with indecision or needing to articulate concerns of severe psychological abuse. The key to preventing abuse is to “Recognize Manipulative Patterns of Behavior” We can prevent and reduce child exploitation…

America’s Children Need Safety & Action
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America’s Children Need Safety & Action

Child exploitation’s connections to our most significant social issues are shocking. As a result, the root cause are found in decades of ignored child exploitation. It’s mind-blowing! Victimized Children Need Safety. One of the most significant mission fields in crisis is in our backyards. If in doubt, look no further than your community. Wherever you find substance…

Foster Care is a Tool, Not a Solution.
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Foster Care is a Tool, Not a Solution.

Federal reports confirm that the epidemic of child exploitation in the United States is now too big for government models to solve. Programs like foster care are in constant crisis to meet the demand, yet they only provide protective care to 3% of the 8 million reported victims. As reports have continued to climb by…