Frequently Asked Questions
What is sex trafficking?
Sex trafficking, the trade of anything of value for a sex act through the use of force, fraud or coercion. When minors are induced into the commercial sex trade, force, fraud or coercion no longer need to be proven; exploiting a child for sex is a federal crime.
Sex trafficking may include movement across a border of some kind, but it is not required.
Sex trafficking is more than these basic definitions though. It is America’s daughters, sisters, mothers, nieces and sometimes America’s sons.
How do I report potential trafficking?
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.
If you need to be connected to resources for human trafficking victims anywhere in the United States contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline
- Call: 1-888-373-7888
- Text: 233733 (Text “HELP” or “INFO”)
- Available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week
- English, Spanish and 200 more languages
- Website: www.humantraffickinghotline.org
What is Guardian Group's mission?
Guardian Group’s mission is to prevent and disrupt the sex trafficking of women and children in the United States.
What is Project 1591®?
Project 1591® is the first-ever 24/7 crowdsourcing process & platform that enables volunteers to become force multipliers to Guardian Group’s mission of illuminating child victims of sex trafficking in the United States.
Check it out here.
Does Guardian Group work outside the United States?
No, we are focused on combating this crime strictly in the United States.
What doesn't Guardian Group do?
We don’t break the law.
We don’t conduct our own operations.
We don’t take matters into our own hands.
We don’t focus outside the US.
Who makes up your PURSUIT® Team?
Guardian Group’s PURSUIT® Team is comprised of former elite military and Intelligence Community professionals who’ve spent decades working counter-terrorism efforts worldwide. After years of refining their skills, they are now applying those skills towards counter-sex trafficking efforts in the US. They do this by providing corroborated and timely intelligence leads on possible victims and traffickers to under-resourced Law Enforcement agencies. Additionally, this team provides free training and consulting to Law Enforcement, as it relates to identifying and discovering sex trafficking online and in person.
Our certified Project 1591® volunteers are also a critical part of our collective PURSUIT® team. They come with varying levels of skills and backgrounds and from around the world with one unified mission of support to Guardian Group. They are part of our team.
The PURSUIT® Team remains anonymous, due to the sensitivities of the crimes they work. We believe in remaining quiet professionals, while supporting our Law Enforcement and allowing them to be the forward-facing disruption of this crime.
What is Team 1591?
Inspired by the US law that protects children from being sold for sex, Team 1591 is a community of people committed to donating at least $15.91 every month to support victim identification and Guardian Group’s efforts right here in the United States. For under $200 a year this team of people is changing the trajectory of sex trafficking in the United States.
Is Guardian Group hiring?
You can find all career opportunities listed here.
Can I volunteer with Guardian Group?
Yes. We are always looking for volunteers to join our PURSUIT team through the Project 1591 platform. You can learn more here.
I have a media inquiry, who do I contact?
Please email our marketing director at marketing@guardiangroup.org.
Donation Related Questions
Will I recieve a tax receipt for my donation?
Yes. Tax receipts are sent in January for donations made during the previous calendar year for gifts totaling $250 or more. If you need information for your records prior to that please email contact@guardiangroup.org.
How are donations used?
Donations are used to increase investigative hours which in turn increases the number of true identification of victims who are being sold online. This information is then packaged up and sent to law enforcement partners across the nation to act upon. Donations also allow our team to provide intelligence support for law enforcement sex trafficking stings.
In short, donations lead to lives impacted and victims offered a path to freedom.
I'm interested in donating a larger gift. Who should I contact?
Contact our team at giving@guardiangroup.org
Do you accept stock or cryptocurrency donations?
Where do I mail a check donation?
Checks can be mailed to:
1900 NE 3rd ST. 106 #40
Bend OR, 97701
Can I fundraise for Guardian Group?
Yes. Peer-to-peer fundraising is a simple and effective way to invite others to join this fight with you. Learn about some creative ways to do this here.
If there is another way in which you would like to fundraise for Guardian Group please send an email to contact@guardiangroup.org.
What is the process to establish a payroll deduction?
Payroll giving is the easiest way for your employees to give. The employee decides to make a one-time or recurring donation that is deducted straight from their paycheck. Third party platforms, such as Benevity, make your employee giving program simple.
Third-party giving platforms take the time and stress out of managing an employee giving program while allowing flexibility in the corporate giving strategy over time. These tools empower giving by easily personalizing it to fit your company’s and employee’s giving needs, such as offering company matching during specific events or allowing employees to budget their giving.
Benevity and Bright Funds are great options for third-party giving platforms.
Developing an in-house employee giving structure can be time consuming and cumbersome. The benefits of using already established giving platforms significantly outweighs the cost.
How do I find out if my employer will match my donation?
Many employers offer matching for employee donations. Speak to your HR department or check if yours does here.
I have questions or an issue with my donation who should I contact?
Please e-mail contact@guardiangroup.org.