By Shauna Storey, COO of NightLight International I didn’t set out looking for anti-trafficking work. Like many people, my introduction to human trafficking struck as something that was both heartbreaking and hard to comprehend. I remember (way back in 2009!) sitting in a breakout session at a conference in Waco, TX, hearing a team of people talk about their work with human trafficking victims. I didn’t have language for it yet, but I was shocked that something so deeply unjust was happening....

Throughout the month of February, particularly around Valentine’s Day, love is often presented through a familiar cultural lens. In much of Western culture, it looks like plush teddy bears, extravagant bouquets of roses, chocolate-covered strawberries, and candlelit dinners. Television and film reinforce this narrative with portrayals of love that are dramatic, volatile, or purely physical—images many are taught to equate with romance and affection. While these expressions are not universal...

Taking a step backward is sometimes necessary to step forward into new beginnings. Recently, we sent two survivors home to Tanzania and Ethiopia. For many we send, going home can feel bittersweet. There is relief and joy as they return to their own culture, language, and family. But at the same time, many struggle with the decision to return home. Life at home was not easy when they left, and it will not be easy when they return. The pressure from family for provision is still there, and the...