April of 2007 is when I first heard of this evil called human trafficking. As I was told of the sale, sexual exploitation and murder of little girls in Mexico, God began to break my heart. Now pregnant with a vision and passion from God I began to study and research this bondage and attack in the USA. It has become my life’s message to expose sexual slavery also known as modern day slavery in America. America, the land of the free and opportunity. America, the land of the American Dream. America, where all men are created equal and entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In 2008 I began to share with my staff, peers, and Senior Pastor to educate and inspire them to fight this battle with me. In 2009 I shared the vision God had given me for Without Permission to the 100 women of Refresh Women’s Ministry at Calvary Temple Worship Center. That night, two women on the Refresh leadership team approached me to tell me their encounters with trafficking a decade earlier in Modesto. Also, mentor and friend, Lisa Santagate confided in me how that night God was pulling her to do something about this fight as well!
It was the witness needed from the Lord that it was time to go public and go hard to reveal, recruit and mobilize an army. To find people who are willing to go to the darkest place in our American landscape called human trafficking and sex slavery.
As the vision and mission of Without Permission comes together and produces life giving results, the team is ever so grateful to the Lord, community and church for the opportunity to do something that changes people, families, communities, and souls.
Without Permission exists to remind America that the biblical principles that made her great at her inception are the only traits that will save her from this self destruction and slavery called human trafficking.
“Let Justice roll like a river, righteousness like a never ending stream.” (Amos 5:24)
Debbie Johnson
Founder, Without Permission
Without Permission fights to prevent human trafficking and then works to reunify women with their families. Women who have been sold, rented and bartered by people who enslave them. Without Permission works with other coalitions from all over the country to create a network of information, manpower and financial support. If not for Without Permission’s handwork and dedication many crime victims would be left without an advocate and law enforcement would be ill prepared to deal with the issue of human trafficking.
-Mike Harden, Police Chief-Modesto Police Department
Without Permission is providing assistance to law enforcement and victims in the area of human exploitation and trafficking. In our current budget crisis, finding resources to investigate and prosecute these crimes is difficult. Pastor Johnson and her team at Without Permission have not hesitated in answering the call to provide needed services and to educate the community. Without Permission will be able to provide victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking with the needed support to stand up to those who would exploit them and provide safety and counseling so the victims can move forward with their lives. We are very appreciative of their work.
-Carol Shipley, Assistant District Attorney
Each day the world news shines the spotlight on an old, ugly, brutal crime of sex trafficking. No longer is it shamefully reported to be happening in some far-away country. Sadly, it is among us. For such a time as this, Without Permission, is rising to meet the needs of those whose lives have been stolen. Without Permission also works alone side law enforcement to bring awareness of the plight of trafficked people and rescue them.
After the rescue, Without Permission continues the intensive process of restoring the shattered life by providing safe housing, compassion, and hope. The rescue is not complete without the hope for complete restoration of human dignity.
-Constance B. Pack, Knowing the Word, Inc.