Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight against Child Sex Trafficking
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.
Podcasting since 2021 • 50 episodes
Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight against Child Sex Trafficking
Latest Episodes
Anne's Advocacy: Working with Indigenous Populations using Culturally Competent Community Resources S4E12
In this powerful episode of Invading the Darkness, Anne opens up about her advocacy within Indigenous communities—where the wounds of trafficking are compounded by generations of systemic injustice. She highlights the urgent need for c...
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Season 4
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Episode 12
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26:47
Sequoia’s Story: From Misjudged to Empowered — A Fight for Justice and the Power of Being Seen S4E11
In this episode, you’ll meet Sequoia—a young girl placed in a DJJ facility, despite never being charged with a crime. She didn’t need punishment; she needed help. But instead of being seen as a child in need, the system labeled her as a problem...
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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14:10
Pt. 2 Courtney & Brent: The Trauma of Victimization, Criminalization, and the Road to Justice S4E10
In Part 2 of Courtney’s story, Yvonne and Kim continue the conversation with a deeper look at what happens after the system fails survivors.Courtney’s mother still lives with the weight of a criminal record—one that never should’ve exist...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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18:17
Pt. 1 Courtney & Brent: The Trauma of Victimization, Criminalization, and the Road to Justice S4E9
Courtney and her mother were both trafficked by the same predator—but the system didn’t treat them the same. While Courtney was seen as a victim, her mother was criminalized. In Part 1 of this gripping two-part series, Courtn...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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16:46
When Joy Feels Unsafe: Ashley's Story of Trauma, Healing, and the Power of Aftercare S4E8
What if happiness felt terrifying instead of safe?In this powerful episode of Invading the Darkness, Ashley bravely unpacks how early trauma impacts the brain—and how for many trafficking survivors, even joy can feel like a threat.
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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36:55
