About Us

Mission & Vision

Our mission is to educate the public that 1 in 5 children are sexually abused; abuse of children is the precursor to sex trafficking, addictions, incarceration, and more. We want to prevent this trauma and the domino effect of social ills through effective teaching and training.

Our vision is to stop the sexual abuse of children.

Discover the “Why” Behind Our Mission

Stop Trafficking US was founded in 2015 by Catherine Ann Wilson to motivate people to stop the sexual abuse and exploitation of children through community education, prevention, and outreach.

We identify education needs in our local Maine and national communities. Then, we fundraise to hire the most qualified subject experts to speak and train audiences on topics like child exploitation and sex trafficking.

Today, Stop Trafficking US hosts numerous free trainings and conferences, virtually and in-person, educating first responders, educators, faith communities, parents, students, and more.

Meet Catherine Ann Wilson

Founder & Survivor

Abused repeatedly from first grade on for nearly 20 years of her life, Catherine Ann Wilson spent most of her years from age 12-17 living on the street. By age 15, starving and desperate, she was lured into sex trafficking. After finding her own freedom from suffering and thriving in her late 40s, she founded Stop Trafficking US.

Read Catherine’s inspiring story and learn more about the important work she’s doing in our local and national communities.

Why Our Work Matters to Every Child

The Starfish Story

A young girl was walking along a beach where thousands of starfish had been washed up on shore during an astronomical high tide. One by one, she would pick them up and throw them back into the ocean.
Why Our Work Matters to Every Child

People watched her with amusement. She had been doing this for some time when a cranky old man approached her and said, “Honey, you should go back home and play. These starfish have been out of the water too long. There are too many of them to save. By the time you throw them back in the water…well, it just won’t matter!”

The girl didn’t say a word. Instead, defiantly, she bent down, picked up a starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied, “It mattered to that one!”

The old man looked at the girl inquisitively and thought about what she had done and said. Inspired, he joined the little girl in throwing starfish back into the sea. Soon, others joined, and many starfish were saved.

Adapted from The Star Thrower

Help Us Save Children from Sexual Abuse, Exploitation, and Sex Trafficking…It Matters to Each One!

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We believe everyone should understand the long-lasting impact of ACEs.

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Learn how to intervene and protect children from sexual abuse.

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100% of your donation goes toward our free resources and trainings.

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