Libertas International

Libertas International was honored to have been interviewed on AJ Joel's Colombia Youtube Channel about recent happenings in Medellin, our thoughts on why predators are choosing Colombia, and what people can do to get involved! Check it out below. https://lnkd.in/g8-M3DTC

CHRISTMAS! We are planning our Christmas gift giving for all of the survivors at who call Libertas home. And we need your help to make it happen! We are looking to sponsor 89 survivors at $50 USD a piece. This money goes to buying them flowers, new clothes, and some other goodies. Our survivors come from a very hard economic background, Meaning this could be the only gift they get this season. So help us make their Christmas great! Donate via libertasinternational.org!

Part of a survivors healing is access to justice. At Libertas International, we believe that cases of human trafficking should be survivor lead and trauma sensitive. We ensure that survivors are empowered and protected and that their pursuit of justice is coordinated between the country where the perpetrator traveled from and the country where the crime was committed. When you become a monthly donor at Libertas International you help ensure that survivors can gain access to justice through empowerment. Such as the case with Michael Roberts and Project Bat Bridge. Because of your support, 4 survivors are living in freedom and healing. Become a monthly donor today at libertasinternational.org! *Roberts was sentenced to 7 years in prison and ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Justice Served: Dominick Divencenzo Sentenced to 15 Years and 6 Months for His Crimes We are pleased to announce that Dominick Divencenzo has been sentenced to 15 and a half years in prison for his involvement in numerous counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and abusing someone unable to consent. This sentencing marks a significant victory in the fight against such heinous acts and serves as a powerful reminder that justice will prevail. After serving his sentence, Dominick will be kicked out of Colombia and sent back to the United States. The sentencing of Divencenzo only occurred because of the brave survivors who survived his abuse. He was brutal, violent, misogynistic, and telling him “no” was not an option in his house of horrors. The survivors who stood up and told their truth about the horrors that Dominick inflicted on them are the real heroes of this story. Because of them, this ex military officer from the United States will no longer be able to find and abuse the most vulnerable girls in Medellin. During his arrest, there was a 16 year old victim inside his penthouse. And his behavior both before the arrest and after the arrest proved that he was a violent man who looked to abuse and intimidate the most vulnerable girls in Colombia. We extend our deepest gratitude to the survivors who courageously came forward, and to the dedicated individuals and organizations who worked tirelessly to see justice done. Change doesn’t happen unless survivors speak. Today we honor them. They did the most important thing. They survived.

FUND A NEED! Freedom can mean different things to different people and freedom comes in steps. This survivor is so close to complete freedom. She has been removed from the trafficker, she is completing her education, and now there remains one final step. Freedom from addiction. An American man gave this young girl drugs to make her less resistant to his abuse. And due to that fact she developed an addiction. This brave girl has entered rehab. But we need your help to ensure she has the resources to heal from this addiction. Will you be her hero and support her this month with a one time donation of $640 USD? If you choose to do so please visit libertasinternational.org and make the donation today!

We are back with another episode of the Libertas International Podcast! This weeks guest takes us to Africa, multiple countries in Africa with the Founder of My Sister's House Rochelle Sellers. Rochelle has been fighting poverty for over 20 years working all over Africa to empower women and children. Her journey takes her to Ethiopia, Uganda, Sierra Leone, etc. In this episode she talks about a personal tragedy that occurred when she was a young girl that left her orphaned. And how that experience has shaped her and the work that she continues to put forth this day. She also talks about her faith, and what it means to her when serving the most vulnerable in Africa. For more information on what we discussed in this podcast please visit the following links. https://lnkd.in/gd-Gad-S

FUND A NEED! We have a few urgent needs to share with you this week and we would LOVE your collaboration in helping meet these needs. This sweet survivor was trafficked by an organized criminal gang working throughout Latin America. She was taken to different countries and forced to do horrific things. But she managed to escape all on her own. But because she escaped, this group is now looking for her. They have her name. Because of that, we are looking to fundraise to change this survivors name so that wherever she goes she will know that the name she has allows her to feel safe and to turn the page on her new life. The total cost for a name change in Latin America is $700 USD. If you would like to step up and support this survivor in her name change please visit libertasinternational.org and donate $700 to that this sweet girl can start a new life under a new name.

Do you ever wonder why we chose the name Libertas International? Check out the explanation below. https://lnkd.in/ghm_-iun

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Libertas International Commends The Colombian National Police and Migration Colombia for Swift Action in Arrest of Miguel Sierra, an American/Peruvian Man Accused of Exploiting Young Girls in Medellin, Colombia (San Francisco, California)- Libertas International, a global organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and exploitation, extends its deepest gratitude to Colombian National Police and Migration Colombia for their collaborative efforts in the apprehension of an American/Peruvian man suspected of sexually exploiting young girls in Medellin, Colombia. This man named Miguel Sierra was arrested as he was entering Colombia. The arrest follows an extensive investigation conducted jointly by the Colombian National Police, and Libertas International, which uncovered a disturbing pattern of exploitation targeting vulnerable young girls in the region. The suspect, identified as Miguel Sierra, who is an clothing store manager in California, preyed on girls from broken families, extreme poverty, and vulnerable circumstances. He would contact the victims via social media, using mainly Facebook where he would offer money in exchange for sexually exploiting teenage girls. He has frequented Colombia many times over the years to abuse young girls.  Libertas supported this investigation by covering any budget shortfalls that the government agencies faced in conducting their investigation and continues to empower the survivors and elevate their voice in the process. Every case at Libertas International is survivor run and survivor focused. The collaborative efforts of all involved parties led to the apprehension of the suspect, whose actions have caused immeasurable harm to innocent lives. Libertas International remains dedicated to providing comprehensive care and support to the survivors of exploitation, ensuring they receive the assistance and resources needed to rebuild their lives. “He found one of our own when they were at their most vulnerable. Now, hopefully he sees that there are consequences for abusing young girls and that we are not near as weak as he thought.” Member of Libertas International Survivor Counsel. For media inquiries, please contact info@libertasinternational.org About Libertas International: Libertas International is a global organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and exploitation. Through advocacy, education, and direct intervention, Libertas International works to protect the rights and dignity of survivors, and raise awareness about the realities of human trafficking and exploitation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Libertas International Commends The Colombian National Police and Migration Colombia for Swift Action in Arrest of Chanthoeung Gnong , an American/Thai Man Accused of Exploiting Young Girls in Medellin, Colombia (Boston, Massachusetts)- Libertas International, a global organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and exploitation, extends its deepest gratitude to Colombian National Police and Migration Colombia for their collaborative efforts in the apprehension of an American/Thai man suspected of sexually exploiting young girls in Medellin, Colombia. This man named Chanthoeung Gnong was arrested as he was entering Colombia. The arrest follows an extensive investigation conducted jointly by the Colombian National Police, and Libertas International, which uncovered a disturbing pattern of exploitation targeting vulnerable young girls in the region. The suspect, identified as Chanthoeung Gnong who is an electrician in Boston, preyed on girls from broken families, extreme poverty, and vulnerable circumstances. He would contact the victims via social media, using mainly Facebook where he would offer money in exchange for sexually exploiting teenage girls. He would offer them gifts and would express a desire to be their “secret boyfriend.”  He would film the abuse as well. Libertas supported this investigation by covering any budget shortfalls that the government agencies faced in conducting their investigation and continues to empower the survivors and elevate their voice in the process. Every case at Libertas International is survivor run and survivor focused. The collaborative efforts of all involved parties led to the apprehension of the suspect, whose actions have caused immeasurable harm to innocent lives. Libertas International remains dedicated to providing comprehensive care and support to the survivors of exploitation, ensuring they receive the assistance and resources needed to rebuild their lives. "This man is a predator, and is the stereotypical monster who is constantly on social media looking for vulnerable girls to exploit. Today, he faces justice and we look forward to seeing justice done.”  Tyler Schwab, Founder of Libertas International For media inquiries, please contact info@libertasinternational.org About Libertas International: Libertas International is a global organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and exploitation. Through advocacy, education, and direct intervention, Libertas International works to protect the rights and dignity of survivors, and raise awareness about the realities of human trafficking and exploitation. For more information, visit libertasinternational.org