ADVOCACY HANDBOOK
THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for connecting with Rapha and offering your time and energy to help fight human trafficking and abuse. Rapha’s work would be impossible without a global community of advocates who raise funds and awareness. Thank you for being willing to be a part of that community—it means the world to us and to the children we serve together.
People often ask us, “How can I help aside from making a donation?” This handbook is full of ideas and resources for doing just that. We understand that not everyone is in the position to give financially and that there are many other ways to support Rapha’s work. We do want to emphasize, however, that gifts of any size make a difference for the girls in our care. Our staff are positioned to work directly with survivors and vulnerable families. Equipping them to do that is a great and tangible way to fight trafficking and abuse.
On average, it costs $4 per day to provide healthy meals for a girl in Rapha’s care. If you can commit to giving $4 per month, you will be responsible for the health and wellbeing of a girl at Rapha one day each month!
We hope this handbook helps you find ways to put your passion into action to bring healing, hope, and freedom to survivors of trafficking!
ARYN TANKSLEY CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
LEARN MORE ABOUT TRAFFICKING AND ABUSE
Rapha desires all children to be protected. We are dedicated to connecting people to the right resources to effectively learn about trafficking and abuse. Taking the time to learn more will equip you to be an effective advocate for Rapha and for survivors of trafficking everywhere!
Polaris Project Human Trafficking 101
It is important to understand human trafficking if you want to be a part of the solution. When you’re done with this training, you’ll have baseline knowledge about what human trafficking is, how it happens, who the victims and traffickers are, and how you can really be part of the movement to end it.
Go to polarisproject.org/training to work through their free training modules (1 hr).
Trafficking in Persons Report
The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is the U.S. Government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking. It is also the world’s most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-trafficking efforts and reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to global leadership on this key human rights and law enforcement issue.
Read more here: state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report
Learn about Sextortion and Online Sexual Abuse
This article gives insight into the reality and dangers of children growing up online. We now live in a landscape where a child’s relationship with technology and normal sexual development overlap with a whole new set of experiences online.
Learn more here: thorn.org/sextortion
Darkness
to
Light—Stewards of Children Training®️
Stewards of Children teaches adults practical actions they can take to reduce instances of child sexual abuse in their organizations, families, and communities. ($16 - 2.5 hrs). Stewards of Children is one of the only award-winning, evidenceinformed, adult-focused child sexual abuse prevention trainings in the United States proven to increase knowledge and change behavior.
Find training here: d2l.org/education/stewards-of-children/
ADVOCATE FOR RAPHA
Spreading awareness about trafficking and Rapha’s work is essential to our mission. We cannot do this without the support of advocates all over the world! The more people know about us, the more the community of Rapha supporters grows.
Like, follow, and share Rapha’s content on social media.
@raphaintl
Speak to your church, business, and community group about supporting Rapha. If you can open doors for us, our staff would also be glad to visit in person or virtually with any group willing to learn more about Rapha!
Host a dinner with family and friends and share about Rapha’s mission. An informal dinner can be a great way to share about Rapha’s mission and to let people know about the need to support survivors of trafficking!
Stay in the loop with Rapha updates! rapha.org/email
FREEDOM BOX
We want to equip you with downloadable resources to help you to share about Rapha with your church and community.
Find instructions on how to use videos, presentation slides, and pictures to share about Rapha at rapha.org/freedombox
ENGAGE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
The best way to combat and prevent trafficking in your community is to support vulnerable children. Children living in poverty, the foster care system, or involved in the juvenile justice system are the most vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking. Find an organization that supports those children and their families in your community and volunteer your time. Do any of these organizations work in your community?
1. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers work directly with foster children and families to provide emotional support and legal advocacy. Visit nationalcasagal.org
2. Local shelters, food banks, and community action programs strengthen vulnerable families. Providing material resources for families decreases the risks of exploitation and abuse.
3. The Boys and Girls Club of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters both provide mentorship and programming for vulnerable children. Visit bgca.org or bbbs.org
4. Many other organizations, national and local, serve foster children and vulnerable families. Find one that is a good fit for you!
PLAN A FUNDRAISER
From bake sales to bike rides, Rapha supporters all over the US have used their talents to fundraise for Rapha. We are so grateful for the creativity and commitment!
You can set up a fundraising page at rapha.org/fundraise, and all digital payments processed on that page will go directly to Rapha. Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Can you make something to sell? Rapha supporters have sold t-shirts, jewelry, baked goods, and all kinds of other things to benefit Rapha.
2. Events like 5k runs and bike rides are really fun ways to raise money and introduce people to Rapha’s work. There are lots of tips and guides online to help you get started!
3. Sometimes the best way to raise funds is to ask for them. Host a dinner and ask people in attendance to invest in Rapha’s work.
PRAY FOR RAPHA
It means the world to us to hear that our supporters are praying for Rapha’s work—particularly for our staff and the children in our care. Here are some prayer prompts to get you started:
Pray for each child in Rapha’s care to find her unique path to healing, hope, and freedom.
Pray for protection against vicarious trauma for our staff who work tirelessly on the front lines everyday. Pray that they will find peace and joy in their work.
Pray for safety for everyone in Haiti and for an end to oppression and gang violence.
Pray for safety and provisions for refugees fleeing Myanmar, living in abject poverty on the Thai border near Rapha’s Prevention center in Mae Sot, Thailand.
Pray for peace and resolution of political and social uncertainty in Cambodia and Thailand.
Combating trafficking and abuse can be overwhelming, even hopeless. Make a difference today—commit to 30 days of prayer for Rapha and for an end to modern day slavery.
rapha.org/prayer-guide
