Making a Difference
SAVED IN AMERICA The Anatomy of Rescues From Start to Finish
S aved In America ( SIA ) was founded in 2009 and is headquartered here in San Diego with national reach and alliances . At no charge to families , SIA volunteers to assist parents and law enforcement to locate missing , runaway and exploited children – the groups most vulnerable to sexual trafficking . For victims of sexual exploitation , SIA assists in procuring legal representation , safe housing and rehabilitative therapy . After rehabilitation , SIA provides scholarships to victims for education or vocational training . Since December 2014 , SIA has assisted parents and law enforcement in the recovery of 247 children .
Joseph Travers , Founder & CEO with Joshua Travers , Case Manager and Law Enforcement Liaison
this case is the example of how several law enforcement agencies and effective private organizations can work together to eradicate child sex trafficking in the United States . It is one of the many cases we wish to enforce throughout each city in the country .”
Unfortunately , recovery of a child is only the first step to a very long process . The moment a child is missing , the parent contacts SIA to assist and deploy resources . After receiving an online application and signed POA , SIA works with the parent to gather intelligence and information . Upon receiving actionable intelligence , SIA conducts surveillance to get “ eyes ” on the child and predator . In the interim , SIA Case Manager and Law Enforcement Liaison works with Local , State and Federal Law Enforcement agencies to execute the recovery and return the child safely back to the family .
Prior to recovery , SIA coordinates with the family to find an emergency transitional safe home or long-term rehabilitation center which conducts health and physical assessments ; provides counseling and therapy ; mentorship ; substance abuse treatment ; and most importantly a safe and secure location . Next , SIA works with law enforcement to locate the predator .
26 GBSAN . COM | FEBRUARY 2021