Prosecuting Justice: JR's Commitment to Victims of Human Trafficking

The Masculine Wilderness Podcast

Surviving human trafficking is a journey marked by unspeakable trauma, profound resilience, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Those who have endured this horrific ordeal have faced unimaginable horrors, stripped of their autonomy, dignity, and basic human rights. Yet, amid the darkness, survivors emerge as beacons of hope, reclaiming their voices, their agency, and their lives. Their stories are testaments to the power of resilience, courage, and the unwavering will to overcome adversity. Surviving human trafficking is not merely about physical escape; it is a journey of healing, reclaiming one's identity, and forging a path toward empowerment and justice. These survivors are not defined by their past but by their incredible capacity for survival, strength, and resilience to rebuild their lives and inspire and help others along the way. In this episode, we talk about Survivors' journey to justice, how civilians can work effectively with law enforcement, and what it is like to engage from the side of a prosecutor with a special guest, Glen (JR) Ujifusa.

Glen (JR) Ujifusa is a leading expert in human trafficking with over fifteen years of experience in addressing these crimes. As a special United States assistant attorney for Oregon, he focuses on federal human trafficking offenses. Additionally, JR serves as a senior deputy advisor for the Multnomah County District Attorney's office, overseeing cases related to drug, property, and human trafficking crimes. He plays a pivotal role in various law enforcement groups and committees, including the National Sex Trafficking Law Enforcement List Serve and the Association Prosecuting Attorneys and Human Trafficking Advisory Committee. JR's dedication extends to chairing the national advisory committee on the sex trafficking of children and youths in the United States. With extensive experience as a deputy D.A., JR has prosecuted a wide range of crimes, from drug, violence, felony, and sexual assault crimes to homicides.

Note: This conversation touches on sexual violence, and while it’s never our goal to sensationalize the trauma of this topic, we strive to speak truthfully about the damage being done. Tune in!

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

My Friends Are Not For Sale: https://epicproject.org/myfriendsarenotforsale

Elizabeth Smart Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbgLbkibvYs

Key Highlights From The Show:

● [00:01] Intro and a quick bio of the guest, Glen (JR) Ujifusa

● [08:33] JR’s work with Epic as an Ally and agent

● [11:31] How Elizabeth Smart's captivity inspired JR’s passion and work trajectory

● [16:40] Why JR believes: “We can’t arrest our way out of sexual Exploitation.”

● [20:17] Why victimization cases are so difficult to build, sustain, and bring to Closure

● [25:07] How JR shows up to win the trust of the victims as a prosecutor

● [28:14] Using the term victim in the legal context vs. survivor

● [31:44] How JR’s work has affected him as a husband and a dad

● [34:52] JR’s work and responsibilities at the D.A Office

● [35:37] How JR’s work strengthens and tests his marriage

● [38:35] What needs to be done to men to change things for the better

● [40:00] The importance of loving and honoring ourselves as human beings

● [43:36] The things we need to pay attention to and invest in when bringing up boys

● [4629] JR’s parental, moral, and legal advice for kids covering up for their friends

● [49:23] Ways men can help mitigate and reduce violence being done to vulnerable people

● [56:41] Cases that have hurt JR personally as a man, husband, and father

● ][01:00:55] The training JR did when a buyer crashed their police training

● [01:07:38] Water and fly fishing and why it’s live-giving to JR

● [01:14:09] How men can show up in an inspiring way to young men

● [01:18:29] JR's parting words to survivors of human trafficking

Standout Quotes:

● “Victims need help, support, Love, forgiveness, and understanding; all those things that we all need; just arresting people and putting them in jail does not work in this very complex dynamic.” - [18:56]

● “Young boys need to be taught honor and respect for themself and others and the women around them, as well as sensitivity and understanding that it is not weak to be thoughtful, kind and to stand up for the underdog and the one being picked on if we’re to change things for the better pizza.”- [38:49]

● “You treat people differently when you are whole, have the self-respect to hold yourself to higher standards, and when you know how you should be treated.”- [40:01]

● “As a parent, your job is to protect your kids, not to be their best friend or the cool guy; by being a cool friend, sometimes what you are doing is you are grooming the process of traffickers who are trying to isolate and control.”- [47:38]

● “We all have the ability to make choices, but our choices are agency, and they affect many others, and we’re part of a community.”- [75:51]

Let’s Connect Glen (JR) Ujifusa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-jr-ujifusa-457016162/