IN OUR BACKYARD

IN OUR BACKYARD Linking Arms Across America In The Fight Against Human Trafficking. At the request of the U.S. IOB received 501(c)(3) status in 2016.

In Our Backyard (IOB) was established in 2009, when a new awareness of human trafficking brought IOB founder, Nita Belles, to realize that there was no option to “stand on the sidelines” of this atrocity. Marshall over human trafficking for Oregon, Central Oregonians Against Trafficking Humans (CO-OATH) was created to undertake work surrounding human trafficking in Central Oregon. Since then, CO-O

ATH has integrated into In Our Backyard, where the work continues. From 2009 to the present, some of the things In Our Backyard has focused on are:
- Eradicating s*x trafficking at significant events, including the Super Bowl.
- Raising awareness.
- Providing expert advice on local and national human trafficking legislative issues.
- Working with local first responders and medical and mental health professionals to help potential human trafficking victims and managing programs like the Freedom Sticker Campaign and now the Convenience Store Against Trafficking (CSAT) Program. In addition, IOB welcomes volunteers, interns, and committed donors to link arms across America in the fight against human trafficking.

Human trafficking in our backyard is happening wherever there is internet access, and awareness helps prevent it before ...
05/30/2026

Human trafficking in our backyard is happening wherever there is internet access, and awareness helps prevent it before it starts. In 2025, 113,500 child trafficking cases were reported to the NCMEC Cyber Tipline. Check out their report below!

Run, walk, roll, or waddle with courage to talk about it! Every race registration raises awareness and supports In Our Backyard’s work to help find missing children faster and empower students to keep themselves and their peers safe.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s 2025 report reminds us that child s*xual exploitation is a crisis on a massive scale, enabled and accelerated by technology. That is why prevention, education, and community awareness matter.

Prevention Starts with Awareness.
Everyone can make a positive difference.
$30 Race with T-shirt anywhere, or in Bend, OR, June 7th!
Register at www.InOurBackyard.org

NCMEC 2025 Report https://www.missingkids.org/ourwork/impact

THE PINK DUCK 5K IS HERE — TWO WAYS TO RACE!Join the Speak Up Pink Duck 5K on June 7th and help protect youth from human...
05/28/2026

THE PINK DUCK 5K IS HERE — TWO WAYS TO RACE!
Join the Speak Up Pink Duck 5K on June 7th and help protect youth from human trafficking! Join the local race, or join from anywhere!

IN PERSON: Sunday, June 7 at 11:00 AM (collect ducks along the way!)
Athletic Club of Bend, Bend, OR
VIRTUAL: Race anytime June 7 – July 14, wherever you are!
$30 entry includes your official race t-shirt.
Register now: www.InOurBackyard.org!

The Pink Duck 5K promotes the prevention of human trafficking through education to students and increasing the speed to recover missing children. Your race, your way, to empower a world where all live in freedom!


GO 🌎Step out into your community and help create pathways to safety for vulnerable children this summer.GROW 🌱Grow your ...
05/23/2026

GO 🌎
Step out into your community and help create pathways to safety for vulnerable children this summer.

GROW 🌱
Grow your awareness by learning the warning signs of trafficking, exploring prevention resources, and helping educate your family and community about how to help protect missing and at risk children.

GIVE 💛
Volunteer your time either remotely through our Command Post or in person during community outreach events in Santa Clara County.
Together with Safety for the Bay and South Bay Coalition, volunteers will help distribute awareness materials to convenience stores throughout the community while supporting missing children outreach efforts connected to World Cup season activities.

Outreach Dates
📍 June 6th
Unity Missionary Baptist Church
Sunnyvale, CA

📍 June 13th
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Saratoga, CA (new location)
🖥 Command Post Volunteer Opportunities
May 30th, June 7th, and June 8th
Remote or local participation available

Every volunteer helps spread awareness.
Every conversation can create hope.
Every action can help protect a child.

Learn more and sign up at www.inourbackyard.org

A man from Trenton, New Jersey has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for trafficking and s*xual crimes against childr...
05/22/2026

A man from Trenton, New Jersey has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for trafficking and s*xual crimes against children.
According to prosecutors, the case involved the exploitation of minors and the distribution of child s*xual abuse material.
Cases like this are a reminder of why awareness, prevention, and community involvement matter.

While law enforcement and prosecutors work to hold offenders accountable, communities across the country continue working to help protect vulnerable children and create pathways to safety.
Every child deserves protection, support, and a community willing to speak up.

Source: TAPinto Hamilton/Robbinsville
Read more:
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/hamilton-slash-robbinsville/articles/22-years-in-prison-for-trenton-man-charged-with-trafficking-s*x-crimes-against-children

Did you know most Android phones do not automatically turn on safety protections for children?DIRTY DOZEN 2026: Android“...
05/19/2026

Did you know most Android phones do not automatically turn on safety protections for children?

DIRTY DOZEN 2026: Android

“An Android device used by a minor looks and behaves like a regular adult device, with no automatic content filters, app rating restrictions, or communication protections on at setup.”
– NCOSE Researcher

While Apple now automatically enables many child safety settings for minors, Android still relies heavily on parents to find and turn protections on themselves.
That means many children and teens are left exposed to harmful content, s*xtortion, and unsafe interactions online.

Companies should never put the burden of child safety entirely on families.

Yet too often, prevention is treated as optional instead of essential.

This is where YOU come in.

Take action by linking arms with NCOSE:
https://advocacy.charityengine.net/Default.aspx?isid=2765

Your voice matters.
Change happens when we demand it.

GO 🌎Take action in your community by helping place Freedom Stickers in locations where they can reach those who may need...
05/18/2026

GO 🌎
Take action in your community by helping place Freedom Stickers in locations where they can reach those who may need help most.
GROW 🌱
Learn more about human trafficking awareness and help educate others about the signs and resources available.
GIVE 💛
One sticker may seem small, but it could become a lifeline for someone in need and a reminder that help and hope are available.
Freedom Stickers receive more than 20 million daily views across the United States, helping spread awareness where it matters most.
You can help place Freedom Stickers in your own community this summer.
Learn how to get involved:
https://inourbackyard.org/ordering/

T-SHIRT SIZE DEADLINE: MAY 17TH ⏰Want to guarantee your preferred t-shirt size on race day? Register by MAY 17TH!After M...
05/16/2026

T-SHIRT SIZE DEADLINE: MAY 17TH ⏰

Want to guarantee your preferred t-shirt size on race day?

Register by MAY 17TH!

After May 17, you’ll still get a shirt, but your size isn’t guaranteed on race day.
Pink Duck 5K | June 7, 2026
In Person: Bend, OR @ 11:00 AM
Virtual: June 7 – July 14

Don’t wait: runsignup.com/Race/OR/Bend/FunDuck5k

This summer, go out into the community and make a positive impact by volunteering during World Cup events alongside Sout...
05/15/2026

This summer, go out into the community and make a positive impact by volunteering during World Cup events alongside South Bay Coalition and Safety for the Bay.

We are looking for volunteers who want to help create a safe, supportive, and informed environment throughout these community events.
This is a great opportunity to connect, serve, and be part of something meaningful this summer.

Visit www.inourbackyard.org to learn more and sign up for upcoming World Cup in person and virtual volunteer opportunities available!


BC

CAN’T MAKE IT TO BEND? RACE WITH US VIRTUALLY!You don’t have to be in Oregon to run for freedom. Join the Speak Up Pink ...
05/15/2026

CAN’T MAKE IT TO BEND? RACE WITH US VIRTUALLY!
You don’t have to be in Oregon to run for freedom.

Join the Speak Up Pink Duck 5K virtually
Your way, your place, your pace!
Virtual window: June 7 – July 14

Complete your 5K anytime, anywhere
$30 entry includes an official race t-shirt!

Every registration helps protect 100+ trafficking victims through In Our Backyard’s operations
and 10,000+ youth through their prevention programs.

Sign up: runsignup.com/Race/OR/Bend/FunDuck5k


Did you know investigators found over 100,000 children were exploited daily across Meta platforms?DIRTY DOZEN 2026: Meta...
05/13/2026

Did you know investigators found over 100,000 children were exploited daily across Meta platforms?
DIRTY DOZEN 2026: Meta
A New Mexico investigation described Meta platforms as a “breeding ground for predators.”
Investigators created a fake profile pretending to be a 12 year old girl.
During the investigation, adult men attempted to meet the child in person and others requested child s*xual abuse material.
Meta platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp continue to face serious concerns tied to grooming, s*xtortion, and exploitation.
Companies should never profit from harm.
Yet too often, policies and platforms allow exploitation to continue unchecked.

This is where YOU come in.

Take action by linking arms with /NCOSE:
https://advocacy.charityengine.net/Default.aspx?isid=2746

Your voice matters.
Change happens when we demand it.

Address

45 NW Greeley Avenue (mailing) , 105 NW Greeley Ave
Bend, OR
97703

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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