Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight against Child Sex Trafficking – Details, episodes & analysis
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Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight against Child Sex Trafficking
Shared Hope International
Frequency: 1 episode/45d. Total Eps: 31

Welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking in the United States. This podcast features Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International, sharing stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking.
In 2025, "Invading the Darkness" will introduce a video element to its podcast, featuring hosts Yvonne and Kim, who are survivors of sex trafficking and advocates for the Just Like Me campaign.
Yvonne and Kim will share their life experiences, insights, and narratives from other survivors.
Our desire is that each episode will help you better understand the importance of fighting child sexual exploitation in the United States.
Recent rankings
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Apple Podcasts
🇩🇪 Germany - documentary
25/02/2025#100
Spotify
No recent rankings available
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See all- https://invadingthedarkness.org/
32 shares
- https://sharedhope.org/donate
31 shares
- https://sharedhope.org/
23 shares
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See allScore global : 78%
Publication history
Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.
Breaking the Silence on Familial Trafficking - Odessa S3E7
Season 3 · Episode 7
mardi 18 février 2025 • Duration 21:38
Welcome to "Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking," https://act.sharedhope.org/3EIafNY. Join our host, lived-experience expert Yvonne, as she interviews Survivor and Subject Matter Expect Odessa about her harrowing experiences with familial trafficking, the criminalization of minors, and the systemic failures of the legal system.
In this episode, Odessa shares her journey from victim to advocate, emphasizing the importance of awareness campaigns and the need for society to support survivors. The conversation highlights the complexities of trafficking and the vital role of community in supporting those who have survived exploitation.
Many child sex trafficking victims like Odessa, are unjustly prosecuted for offenses linked to their victimization. ACT NOW and help end this injustice. Text "Shared Hope" to 52886 or visit https://act.sharedhope.org/3EIafNY
Odessa also emphasizes the critical role of an informed community in recognizing the signs of trafficking. Make sure you are equipped to join the fight by downloading our free resource at https://invadingthedarkness.org/#learn-the-warning-signs, and amplify its impact by sharing it with a friend.
Don’t forget to subscribe @sharedhopeinternational,
follow us on social media, and check out invadingthedarkness.org.
Visit https://invadingthedarkness.org/
Learn more about how you can take action https://sharedhope.org/justlikeme/
SUPPORT THE PODCAST https://sharedhope.org/appealforms/podcastsupport/
Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.
Breaking the Stigma A Survivor’s Story of Strength and Support-Michell S3E6
Season 3 · Episode 6
mardi 11 février 2025 • Duration 18:10
Welcome to "Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight Against Child Sex Trafficking,". Join our hosts, lived-experience experts Yvonne and Kim, as they discuss the stories of other survivors in the movement and share valuable insights to help you join the fight against sex trafficking.
In this episode of Invading the Darkness, we hear Michell’s incredible story. A trafficking survivor herself, she now uses her lived experience to advocate for other young trafficking victims, just like her, and fight for justice.
Many child sex trafficking victims like Michell and the youth she serves, are unjustly prosecuted for offenses linked to their victimization. ACT NOW and help end this injustice. Text "Shared Hope" to 52886 or visit https://act.sharedhope.org/3EIafNY
Don’t forget to subscribe @sharedhopeinternational,
follow us on social media, and check out invadingthedarkness.org.
Visit https://invadingthedarkness.org/
Learn more about how you can take action https://sharedhope.org/justlikeme/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST https://sharedhope.org/donate/
Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.
Season 2 Episode 10 What Does Rescue Look Like
Season 2 · Episode 10
mardi 7 décembre 2021 • Duration 12:39
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International. Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking.
In this episode, Linda shares more about Shared Hope’s approach to rescue and long-term restoration, one life at a time. You hear the story of Shoba and her journey to healing and being reunited with her daughter Pooja.
Our desire is that each episode of Invading the Darkness will help you understand the importance of fighting child sex trafficking as well as equip you to join in that fight.
Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.
Season 2 Episode 9 Junger Case
Season 2 · Episode 9
mardi 30 novembre 2021 • Duration 19:31
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International. Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking.
In this episode we learn about the need for justice and the correct application of the laws that are in place.
Download Shared Hope's report cards to learn more about bringing justice to women, children and youth.
Our desire is that each episode of Invading the Darkness will help you understand the importance of fighting child sex trafficking as well as equip you to join in that fight.
Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.
Season 2 Episode 8 Demanding Justice
Season 2 · Episode 8
mardi 23 novembre 2021 • Duration 14:21
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International. Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking.
In this episode, Linda and Shared Hope’s Vice President, Samantha Vardaman go into more detail about the issue of demand. You can learn more about the groundbreaking Demanding Justice Report on Shared Hope’s website.
Our desire is that each episode of Invading the Darkness will help you understand the importance of fighting child sex trafficking as well as equip you to join in that fight.
Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.
Season 2 Episode 7 To Hell and Back Part 3 of 3
mardi 16 novembre 2021 • Duration 29:45
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International. Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking.
In this episode, Yvonne shares more of her story, sharing how her criminalization impacted the rest of her life. Learn more about the types of lawns and policies we are encouraging states to address in the report card briefs to help survivors become overcomers and begin on their restoration journey.
Our desire is that each episode of Invading the Darkness will help you understand the importance of fighting child sex trafficking as well as equip you to join in that fight.
Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.
Season 2 Episode 6 To Hell and Back, Part 2 of 3
Season 2 · Episode 6
mardi 9 novembre 2021 • Duration 36:30
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International. Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking.
This episode is part two in a three-part series where Linda takes you deeper into Yvonne’s story. Not only will you hear from Linda but Yvonne will be sharing as well. The story is hard to listen to but you will gain important insights into how traffickers work and what further action needs to be taken.
Our desire is that each episode of Invading the Darkness will help you understand the importance of fighting child sex trafficking as well as equip you to join in that fight.
Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.
Season 2 Episode 5 To Hell and Back, Part 1 of 3
Season 2 · Episode 5
mardi 2 novembre 2021 • Duration 16:37
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International. Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking.
This episode is part one in a three-part series where Linda takes you deeper into Yvonne’s story. Not only will you hear from Linda but Yvonne will be sharing as well. The story is hard to listen to but you will gain important insights into how traffickers work and what further action needs to be taken.
Yvonne’s story highlights how important it is for criminal justice stakeholders to understand the issue of Victim Offender Intersectionality. Thanks to the generosity of Shared Hope’s donors, we are able to offer a free eLearning course that helps these legal professionals better understand child sex trafficking and how they might encounter it in their line of work.
Our desire is that each episode of Invading the Darkness will help you understand the importance of fighting child sex trafficking as well as equip you to join in that fight.
Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.
Season 2 Episode 4 Renting Lacy
Season 2 · Episode 4
mercredi 27 octobre 2021 • Duration 13:58
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International. Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking.
In this episode Linda shares the process she went through to write her book, Renting Lacy. Step into the darkness of the trafficking underworld. Meet the actual people who live there. Hear their words – and sense the terror, despair, and the hope. After listening to this episode, we invite you to listen to Renting Lacy by downloading the audiobook for free.
Our desire is that each episode of Invading the Darkness will help you understand the importance of fighting child sex trafficking as well as equip you to join in that fight.
Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.
Season 2 Episode 3 The Victim isn't the Criminal
Season 2 · Episode 3
mardi 19 octobre 2021 • Duration 11:40
Hello and welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking featuring Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International. Join Linda as she shares stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking.
In this episode Linda takes you deeper into the story of Zephi Trevino, a minor who was sold for sex and charged with capital murder after her trafficker shot and killed a buyer. Linda will discusses the need for an affirmative defense for all child sex trafficking victims.
Learn more about affirmative defense and the types of laws and policies that impacted this case by reviewing Shared Hope’s Report Cards on Child and Youth Sex Trafficking. Take action by urging your legislators to end the unjust incarceration of trafficking victims!
Our desire is that each episode of Invading the Darkness will help you understand the importance of fighting child sex trafficking as well as equip you to join in that fight.
Now, if you’re ready, let’s invade the darkness together.


