Latest news with #human trafficking
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Blue Rose Foundation Appoints Dominnique Karetsos as Chief Impact Officer to Lead Global Anti-Trafficking and Advocacy Expansion
ANAHEIM, Calif., July 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blue Rose Foundation, a leading nonprofit dedicated to preventing human trafficking, grooming, and exploitation through education and advocacy, is proud to announce the appointment of Dominnique Karetsos as its new Chief Impact Officer, effective July 1, 2025. Karetsos, a respected strategist and impact advisor with decades of experience in nonprofit advancement, social justice, and fundraising, will spearhead the Foundation's next phase of growth. Her appointment marks a pivotal step in scaling national campaigns, global partnerships, and transformational funding strategies aimed at dismantling exploitation networks and supporting survivor healing. "Dominnique brings an unmatched combination of vision, integrity, and results-driven leadership to our mission," said Alana Stott, MBE, Founder and CEO of the Blue Rose Foundation. "Her insight and energy will be instrumental in building a more accountable and compassionate future for those we serve." In her role, Karetsos will lead philanthropic strategy, strengthen cross-sector alliances, and elevate the Foundation's visibility across policy, media, and grassroots platforms. Her leadership will support the expansion of initiatives such as our trauma healing programs, the ACTT training for law enforcement, and international survivor empowerment programs. "It is an honor to join the Blue Rose Foundation at such a critical time," said Karetsos. "I am deeply committed to amplifying this movement and ensuring that every child, survivor, and advocate has the tools and protection they deserve." The Blue Rose Foundation operates through a dual-impact model—uniting education, legislation, and survivor-led healing to prevent abuse and end systemic exploitation. Its latest initiatives include the launch of the Triton Tribe, the Blue Rose Circle, and the forthcoming ACTT law enforcement training program. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Alana Stott, MBEinfo@ +1 (949) 988 1537
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Blue Rose Foundation Appoints Dominnique Karetsos as Chief Impact Officer to Lead Global Anti-Trafficking and Advocacy Expansion
ANAHEIM, Calif., July 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blue Rose Foundation, a leading nonprofit dedicated to preventing human trafficking, grooming, and exploitation through education and advocacy, is proud to announce the appointment of Dominnique Karetsos as its new Chief Impact Officer, effective July 1, 2025. Karetsos, a respected strategist and impact advisor with decades of experience in nonprofit advancement, social justice, and fundraising, will spearhead the Foundation's next phase of growth. Her appointment marks a pivotal step in scaling national campaigns, global partnerships, and transformational funding strategies aimed at dismantling exploitation networks and supporting survivor healing. "Dominnique brings an unmatched combination of vision, integrity, and results-driven leadership to our mission," said Alana Stott, MBE, Founder and CEO of the Blue Rose Foundation. "Her insight and energy will be instrumental in building a more accountable and compassionate future for those we serve." In her role, Karetsos will lead philanthropic strategy, strengthen cross-sector alliances, and elevate the Foundation's visibility across policy, media, and grassroots platforms. Her leadership will support the expansion of initiatives such as our trauma healing programs, the ACTT training for law enforcement, and international survivor empowerment programs. "It is an honor to join the Blue Rose Foundation at such a critical time," said Karetsos. "I am deeply committed to amplifying this movement and ensuring that every child, survivor, and advocate has the tools and protection they deserve." The Blue Rose Foundation operates through a dual-impact model—uniting education, legislation, and survivor-led healing to prevent abuse and end systemic exploitation. Its latest initiatives include the launch of the Triton Tribe, the Blue Rose Circle, and the forthcoming ACTT law enforcement training program. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Alana Stott, MBEinfo@ +1 (949) 988 1537
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
‘Gone within the blink of an eye': Shelter for human trafficking survivors in Durham Region destroyed by fire
A shelter for survivors of human trafficking in Courtice was destroyed by a fire on July 2. (SafeHope Home photo) A shelter for survivors of human trafficking in Durham Region was destroyed by a fire earlier this month, displacing four residents and leaving the long-term future of the facility up in the air. The fire broke out at around 5:20 p.m. on July 2 at SafeHope Home's long-term transitional residence for women in Courtice. Though the cause of the fire has not yet been determined, the non-profit organization's executive director Jasmine De Fina told CP24 that she believes it may have been sparked by a lightning strike. De Fina said that three residents along with a staff member were making dinner inside the bungalow when they heard a 'loud bang that sounded like thunder' and felt the ground shake. Moments later, they saw what appeared to be a haze through the window, which she said was initially thought to be heavy rain as a thundershower had just started. 'And then the staff quickly realized that it was actually smoke,' she said. De Fina said the residents and staff member safely got out of the house and immediately called 911, watching the place they called home go up in flames as they waited for firefighters to arrive. 'The whole place essentially just burned down before them. …(Firefighters) did arrive quickly, but (the house) was just gone within the blink of an eye,' she shared. SafeHope Home destroyed in July 2 fire A shelter for survivors of human trafficking in Courtice was destroyed by a fire on July 2. (SafeHope Home photo) While no one was hurt, all of the women's belongings as well as the contents of the house were destroyed. De Fina said neighbours told them that they saw lightning hit the roof of the house in the moments before the fire. She said that on average, six or seven women (and occasionally their children) live in at SafeHope Home's residence at any given time. They usually stay there for about two years as they work to rebuild their lives, she said. De Fina added that the location has housed about 10 residents each year since it opened seven years ago, but its future is now in doubt. 'This fire didn't just affect the women that are there today, it affected those why stayed there in the past. It has brought up a lot for them too to watch it burn down,' she said. SafeHope Home destroyed in July 2 fire A shelter for survivors of human trafficking in Courtice was destroyed by a fire on July 2. (SafeHope Home photo) Clarington Emergency and Fire Services Deputy Chief Randy Cowan told CP24 that there were torrential rains and lighting in the area at the time of the fire. He said that while crews are still working to determine the cause of the blaze, there is nothing to suggest anything suspicious. The homeowner's insurance company is now working to determine the cost of the damages and items lost, but that may take some time, he said. Residence opened in 2018 SafeHope Home opened its long-term transitional residence in February 2018 following a years-long search and fundraising effort. Purchased, outfitted, and operated entirely through donations, it is the only survivor-led safe house of its kind in Canada for women over the age of 26, De Fina said. 'There is nothing like SafeHope Home. … We will do anything to support these women,' said De Fina, who is also a survivor of domestic sex trafficking. Aside from providing housing and support for residents, SafeHope Home's women's home also served as a place where various programs and counselling for survivors of human trafficking living in the community were offered. SafeHope Home destroyed in July 2 fire A shelter for survivors of human trafficking in Courtice was destroyed by a fire on July 2. (SafeHope Home photo) Short-term housing has been found for the four displaced residents but De Fina said SafeHope Home simply does not have the capital on hand to buy a new residence to replace the one that burned down, leavings the facility's long-term future in doubt. She added that because the home housed highly vulnerable women and its address has now been revealed, it must now be relocated to another location in the region. 'The women are fleeing very dangerous, very violent situations and so this was a secured location. Almost nobody knew the actual address of the home,' she explained. 'We definitely can't go back to that home because it was all over the news. People have drone images. Obviously we needed to let people know the situation so that we can get help, (but) we can't go back there even if it is rebuilt.' While the home was insured, De Fina suspects that there will be a considerable cost associated with finding a new permanent location. 'We're trying our best, but ultimately we may not be able to continue to house these survivors… We're not sure if we're going to have to close our doors,' De Fina said. 'We just need the house to be funded and if (it) isn't funded I just don't know if we can continue these programs. I don't know that we'll be able to put another roof over their head.' Jasmine De Fina, SafeHope Home e.d. Jasmine De Fina, the executive director of SafeHope Home in Durham Region, chats with CP24 on July 16. A crowdfunding page has been launched to help with SafeHope Home's relocation effort. Donations can also be made to the oraganizarion directly. The Courtice home was SafeHope's only shelter, however the organization also provides a range of anti-human trafficking services in Durham Region and throughout the province, including outreach and a long-term recovery program, which is funded by the provincial government. Chris Clark, the spokesperson for Ontario's Minister of Children, Community, and Social Services, said in a written statement that the provincial government is offering its 'full operational support and help with connecting those impacted (by the fire) to appropriate resources in the community and will continue to monitor as the situation evolves.'
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Chinese police investigating 5 missing teens issue further warnings about telecoms crime
Chinese police are investigating at least five cases of teenagers who have gone missing recently and are suspected of being caught up in scam centres , including some who have lost contact with their families after travelling to Myanmar Police in Hefei, the capital of Anhui province in central China, issued a notice on Wednesday, confirming the disappearance of an 18-year-old high school student who had travelled to a city in Yunnan province, in southwestern China, at the border with Myanmar. According to his parents, the student surnamed Hu left school to look for a job in Hefei in April. But in late June his mother could not find him at his workplace. 03:32 'We're not scammers': China, Thailand join forces to free thousands from Myanmar scam hubs 'We're not scammers': China, Thailand join forces to free thousands from Myanmar scam hubs He was reported last seen near a restaurant in Jinghong, Yunnan, after coming out of Xishuangbanna airport on June 5, having flown from Nanjing. Jinghong police said they had no further information about him. Hu's disappearance is not an isolated case. In the past month, many teenagers aged 18 or 19 who set out to travel or work during the summer holiday reportedly travelled to Yunnan without their families' knowledge, and then lost contact in the border area. According to Elephant News, an official news outlet in Henan province, a mother in Hubei urgently sought help on Tuesday, saying that her high school student son and two of his classmates had lost contact after going to Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture on June 24, and that they were suspected to be in Myanmar, where telecoms-related crime is rampant. Hubei police confirmed the case, saying that the three students had arrived in Xishuangbanna prefecture on June 25 and lost contact with their families and friends two days after their arrival. Their last message was sent from abroad, police said. The mother in Hubei said her son had previously met a 'buddy' on the internet who had invited the three to go to Yunnan with him, saying he was 'delivering rhino horns'.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Washington Post
Asking Eric: Family pressures sister to ignore siblings' crimes
Dear Eric: My parents recently died a few months apart. While taking care of my mom's last wishes, my sister told me that she went to prison for human trafficking years ago. She wasn't sorry for it in any way and defended her actions. She may as well have told me she was a serial killer. I can't even look at her now.
