Despite the fact that experts estimate that the US is the world’s second largest sex trafficking market, myths and misconceptions about domestic trafficking persist, among them the assumptions:
- that only foreign nationals smuggled into the US are victims of this insidious crime
- that victims can simply leave their traffickers
- that once victims have been “rescued” their lives are immediately restored
LJB+ Films has brought to light these myths and misconceptions about domestic sex trafficking in the United States through three films:
Unleashed, Survivors of Sex Trafficking
Unleashed, A Love Letter to Survivors,
Unleashed, A Love Letter to Survivors (Short)
While each film focuses on a number of courageous and gritty women who have survived trafficking, examining the myths about sex trafficking and illuminating the societal factors that contribute to domestic girls’ getting trapped in the “Life,” each has a unique focus. Read more by clicking the hyperlinks above.
Please watch for further news about screenings of Unleashed near you.
Screening:
Unleashed, A Love Letter To Survivors
Toronto
October 3, 2025
COMMFFEST Global Community Film Festival
Screening:
Unleashed, A Love Letter To Survivors (Short)
Chicago
November 15, 2025
5238 South Harper Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60615.
We made these films to spread the word about domestic sex trafficking, to educate the public, and to encourage community involvement in ending this tragedy in the United States. We welcome invitations to screen the film with your community action group, church or other organization. Please contact us at ljbfilms@yahoo.com if you are interested and would like more information.
The mission of Elijah Rising is to combat sex trafficking through prayer, awareness, intervention, and restoration.
The Elijah Rising Restorative Care (ERRC) Program specializes in providing high-quality residential care to women who have experienced sexual exploitation. Through safe housing, an education program, mental health treatment, addiction-recovery, occupational development, case management, and the coordination of healthcare services, we help women recover from the trauma of sexual exploitation.
GEMS (Girls Education and Mentoring Services)
GEMS is an internationally acclaimed organization and one of the largest providers of services to commercially sexually exploited youth in the United States. GEMS's mission is to empower girls and young women, ages 12-24, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking, to exit the commercial sex industry and develop to their full potential. We are committed to ending the exploitation of children by changing individual lives, transforming public perception, and revolutionizing the systems and policies that impact sexually exploited youth. Our survivor-led and survivor-engaged programming prepares members to become leaders in their own lives, families, and communities.
We are paving the future for the next generation. The women in the Thistle & Bee program are breaking the cycle of poverty and multi-system failure that has brought us to a place where sex trafficking and prostitution are at an unprecedented high.
Thistle & Bee provides each woman services based on her needs. Our clinical program is two years, with aftercare available upon completion. The social enterprise offers up to 18 months of employment in a supportive environment, with the potential for employment and mentoring roles beyond that.
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