NEWS, ADVOCACY, MEDIA
Our Thoughts on Budget 2024
Our Thoughts on Budget 2024 Introduction: On Tuesday, April 16th Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland released the federal budget for 2024-2025, “Fairness
A Double Launch for GBV In The Media
VISIT THE GBV IN THE MEDIA WEBSITE For years, feminist advocates have raised their voices about the importance of accurate media reporting of gender-based violence in
EmpowerU – Sharing Human Trafficking Knowledge
In honour of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Aura Freedom hosted EmpowerU, a special online event where we invited youth, youth-serving frontline workers, community organizations, advocates, educators, parents/guardians,
Aura Freedom turns 10!
WATCH OUR EVENT RECAP VIDEO Our hearts are bursting! A heartfelt thank you to all those who came out to A Day After Freedom and celebrated 10
Aura Freedom launches the Body Bag, For Her
The Body Bag, For Her In honour of the 16 Days of Activism to end Gender-Based Violence, Aura Freedom created the Body Bag For Her
Toronto Declares Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic
Finally, the declaration has been made. July 20, 2023. We did it, together. On July 20, 2023, Aura Freedom and Women’s Habitat, along with YWCA
Our 10-Year Anniversary Event
Join us on October 18, 2023 to celebrate Aura Freedom’s 10-year anniversary at the legendary El Mocambo in Toronto. A Day After Freedom is an event to
An Urgent Call to Action: The IPV Epidemic in Toronto
AN URGENT CALL TO ACTION:Declare Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic in Toronto READ THE BRIEF HERE July 6, 2023. Aura Freedom and Women’s Habitat of
Women & Girls Still The Greatest At Risk: Our Overview of the 2023 Global Slavery Index
Our Overview of the 2023 Global Slavery Index June 2023 Introduction Walk Free, an international human rights group working to eradicate all forms of modern
Our Message to the House of Commons: May 2023
Prioritize prevention. Address root causes. Center marginalized groups. When it comes to how we can end human trafficking, we have said this time and time
Our Thoughts on Budget 2023
Our Thoughts on Budget 2023 On Tuesday, March 28th, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland released the Federal Budget for 2023-2024, citing “Canada
Roe v. Wade: We Cannot Go Back
Our Thoughts on Roe v. Wade When envisioning a world where women and girls achieve gender equity and freedom from violence, we at Aura Freedom
Aura Freedom’s Analysis of the 2022 Federal Budget
Our Analysis of Budget 2022 On Thursday, April 7th, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled her second federal budget for Canada to move ‘beyond the pandemic’.
Gender Equity Consultations for the City of Toronto
Gender Equity Consultations for the City of Toronto In early 2022, Aura Freedom led multiple community consultations in partnership with Social Planning Toronto to inform the Gender
Canada’s Implementation of UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime’s Protocols on Trafficking
Canada’s Implementation of UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols: Civil Society Inputs Aura Freedom was invited to share our views on Canada’s
Aura Freedom’s Analysis of the 2021 US State Dept TIP Report
Our Analysis of the 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report The U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report was published in June 2021, highlighting the effects of the
Ontario government to require all school boards implement an anti-sex trafficking strategy
Ontario Government Requires School Boards to Implement Anti-Sex Trafficking Strategy “We need an intersectional approach that recognizes who is trafficked most in Ontario – girls,
Ontario Mandates School Boards to Address Sex Trafficking
Ontario Mandates School Boards to Address Sex Trafficking After years of advocacy from community organizations, activists and survivors, the Ontario government has announced a new policy framework
An Award From the City of Toronto
Aura Freedom Awarded Mayor’s Community Safety Award Recognition from our hometown of Toronto. We’ve been recognized by the City of Toronto with a Mayor’s Community
Storytime To Change The World
Storytime To Change the World – by Aura Freedom Today’s kids know that the world needs more kindness, equality, courage and justice. Check out our Storytime
Highlighting GBV Prevention & Equity at Toronto’s SAFE TO Consultations
To Keep Toronto Safe, We Must Prevent GBV and Trafficking In March 2021, Aura Freedom was invited to participate in the City of Toronto’s Safe
Aura Freedom’s Analysis of the 2021 Federal Budget
Our Analysis of the 2021 Federal Budget On Monday April 19th, Chrystia Freeland, the first-ever woman to hold the title of Federal Minister of Finance,
65th UN Commission on the Status of Women- Virtual Forum
The Relentless Resilience Campaign is Going to the UN The 65th UN Commission on the Status of Women is completely virtual this year, which gives
Freedom Needs Truth
Freedom Needs Truth – An Open Letter Endorsed by Aura Freedom So many voices coming together! Aura Freedom has been very vocal about the harms
The Children of Pornhub-An Open Thank You Letter to Nicholas Kristoff
The Children of Pornhub – An Open Thank You Letter to Nicholas Kristof Photo credit: Nicholas Kristof I have followed the journalist Nicholas Kristof for
Pornhub bans uploads from unverified users after child exploitation allegations
PornHub Bans Uploads From Unverified Users After Child Exploitation Allegations Our Executive Director provides commentary in this Globe & Mail article.
Ottawa urged to act against Mindgeek, owner of Pornhub, over child exploitation
Ottawa Urged to Act Against Mindgeek, Owner of PornHub, Over Child Exploitation Our Executive Director provides comments in this Globe & Mail artcile.
Harnessing Intersectional Solutions to End GBV For Good – An Interview for Women Deliver
An Interview for Women Deliver on Human Rights Day Check out this Q & A for Women Deliver with our Executive Director Marissa Kokkoros and
Aura Freedom Wins Award for Relentless Resilience Campaign
Relentless Resilience Named 1 of Canada’s Top Recovery Projects In November, Future of Good recognized the Relentless Resilience campaign with a Canada’s Top 100 Recovery Projects Award!
Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario
An Article on Consent for the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario Aura Freedom contributed an article on CONSENT written for the Catholic Principals’ Council Ontario and
All About Relentless Resilience: The Parenting Show on Global News Radio
All About Relentless Resilience: The Parenting Show on Global News Radio Listen to this interview with Pina Crispo of The Parenting Show on Global News
United We Stand – An International Panel for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2020
UNITED WE STAND – And International Panel on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2020 Check out one of our favourite events of 2020 (over
‘Reclaiming Power’ – A Webinar on Human Trafficking and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada
Reclaiming Power – A Conversation on Human Trafficking and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada In July 2020, Aura Freedom participated in the ‘Reclaiming Power’
Preventing Gender-Based Violence is Essential, Too – A COVID Recovery Brief
Preventing Gender-Based Violence is Essential, too. Preventing gender-based violence is an essential element of Canada’s post-pandemic recovery. Download our brief and case for strengthening intersectional
The 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report is out – and it misses the mark.
The 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report is Out – And it Misses the Mark The US State Department’s TIP Report has been a useful tool
Gender justice and racial justice go hand in hand. There is no other way.
Gender Justice and Racial Justice Go Hand in Hand. There is No Other Way. Renewing our Commitment to Racial Justice Aura Freedom stands against all forms
Exploitation doesn’t stop for a pandemic.
Exploitation Doesn’t Stop for a Pandemic. May 2020: What does COVID-19 mean to women currently being trafficked, or to survivors who are seeking services? As an
Women Fleeing Violence During COVID-19: The Morning Show, Global News AM640 Toronto
Women Fleeing Domestic Violence During COVID-19: The Morning Show, Global News AM640 Toronto Catch our Executive Director’s interview today on The Morning Show AM 640
COVID-19 is new. Gender-based violence isn’t.
COVID-19 is New. Gender-Based Violence Isn’t For women around the world who experience violence in their homes, every day is an emergency. Every day is life
COVID-19 is New, Gender-Based Violence isn’t – An Article for Women Deliver
COVID-19 is New, Gender-Based Violence isn’t – An Article for Women Deliver Read our Executive Director’s piece in Women Deliver’s newsletter on how COVID-19 is
Relentless Resilience: How to Prevent Gender-Based Violence Starting at Home: The Parenting Show on Global News Radio
How to Prevent Gender-Based Violence Starting at Home – The Parenting Show on Global News Radio with Pina Crispo Our Executive Director and author of
International Women’s Day: The Morning Show, Global News AM640 Toronto
International Women’s Day: The Morning Show, Global News AM640 Toronto On March 6th, our Executive Director was interviewed on The Morning Show, Global News AM640
Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking in Toronto: Newstalk 1010 with Jerry Agar
Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking in Toronto: Newstalk 1010 with Jerry Agar On Feb 6, 2020, our Executive Director Marissa Kokkoros was interviewed on Newstalk
Ontario Government Human Trafficking Roundtables
Ontario Government Human Trafficking Roundtables In 2019, Aura Freedom participated in a series of roundtables with the Ontario Provincial Government to inform their new strategy
City of Toronto Human Trafficking Consultations, Submission to City Council
City of Toronto Human Trafficking Consultation and Submission to City Council In May 2019, the City of Toronto’s END TRAFFICKING T.O. division submitted a report on
Consulting for Canada’s National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking
Consulting for Canada’s National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking In March 2018, Aura Freedom presented to the Federal Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights for their national human
#MeToo Conference – Iceland
#MeToo: Moving Forward Conference, Iceland In September we attended the ‘#MeToo Moving Forward’ conference in Iceland on the impact of the #MeToo movement. We attended workshops
Standing Up for Survivors of Wartime Sexual Violence
Standing Up for Survivors of Wartime Sexual Violence In August 2019, we stood in solidarity with the Sudanese women’s group Kandaka International for Women’s Rights to support
Women Deliver 2019 Conference
Women Deliver 2019 Conference, Vancouver In 2019, Aura Freedom participated in the 2019 Women Deliver conference in Vancouver, Canada. Aura Freedom was a Bronze sponsor with a gorgeous booth
‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ – An Aura Freedom Special Event
Walk a Mile in My Shoes – An Aura Freedom Special Event In May 2019 we hosted the experiential learning event “Walk a Mile in My
Women Deliver Mobilization Canada – Meeting with Minister Monsef
Women Deliver Mobilization Canada: An Event w/ Minister Monsef On May 21, we attended an event with The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender
The Sentencing of James Sears
The Sentencing of James Sears, Promoter of Violence Against Women In April 2019, we attended the sentencing hearing of James Sears, editor of ‘Your Ward News’,
Ontario Human Trafficking Awareness Day – 2019
ontario human trafficking awareness day – Feb 22, 2019 On February 22, 2019, our Youth Team participated in the Provincial Human Trafficking Awareness Day, organized by
Humber College – International Development Week
humber college international development week -guest lecture, photo exhibit & more In 2015 and 2016, Aura Freedom International was invited to attend International Development Week hosted
Trafficking 101 for Parents: The Parenting Show on Global News Radio
Interview: The Parenting Show on Global News Radio -Trafficking 101 for Parents Catch an interview with our Executive Director Marissa Kokkoros and Pina Crispo from