A New Chapter of Leadership
It’s been 20 years since Ruth Dearnley, Steve Chalke (Founder of Oasis), Phil Lane (Founder of Oasis Belgium) and other pioneers founded STOP THE TRAFFIK, a coalition dedicated to ending human trafficking worldwide. Under Ruth’s visionary leadership as President and founding CEO, the charity has pioneered an intelligence-led approach to preventing human trafficking and modern slavery.
One of the key innovations during Ruth’s tenure has been the development of the world’s richest human trafficking database, the Traffik Analysis Hub (TAHub). Built around the stories of survivors and those at risk, the TA Hub’s expert-driven analysis and resulting action has reached over 28 million vulnerable individuals. By mapping trafficking routes and hotspots, this intelligence has not only disrupted recruitment but has also empowered financial institutions, law enforcement, businesses, and NGOs to dismantle the systems traffickers rely on.
Building on these accomplishments, STOP THE TRAFFIK is evolving its leadership to meet the increasing complexities of a volatile world. Ruth Dearnley will transition to a newly created role as President, focusing on expanding global partnerships and amplifying the charity’s impact. Taking the helm as CEO, is Rebekah Lisgarten, current Operations Director.
Rebekah brings more than a decade of experience in anti-human trafficking roles. Having been with STOP THE TRAFFIK’s executive team for five years, she has played a pivotal role in shaping its global operations. Before joining STOP THE TRAFFIK, Rebekah worked directly with trafficking survivors in the UK, Greece, India, and Cambodia. She led strategic initiatives to protect vulnerable populations in European refugee camps and held leadership roles at a UK survivor support organisation Hestia.
Rebekah’s journey with STOP THE TRAFFIK did not begin five years ago. She first joined STOP THE TRAFFIK as a volunteer when she was just 15 years old!
This is a glimpse of her story from volunteer to CEO…
“When I was 15, I first volunteered with STOP THE TRAFFIK. I wrote a letter to them explaining that I couldn’t do much but could make a great cup of tea and coffee, I asked if I could come and spend time with them so I could understand more about the topic – which I had recently only discovered while reading a book in a supermarket (while I avoided joining the family food shop!)
They said yes, and I was fortunate enough to be allowed to do a lot more than make drinks as I began to volunteer with them. This time with STOP THE TRAFFIK sparked the beginning of the next 15 years, during which I worked internationally and within the UK on Anti-Human Trafficking Projects.
It is surreal to share my news that I have been given the privilege to lead the very same organisation that began my journey. A huge thank you to each of those people who have supported me to get here, especially our fantastic Trustees and the dedicated team at STOP THE TRAFFIK.
I wouldn’t be sitting here today if a lot of people hadn’t taken a lot of chances on me over the years. Ruth Dearnley is one of those people. I am so grateful to her for all that she has built, for everyone she has taken on the journey with her and for all that she is. I am beyond thrilled to have the gift of her remaining with the organisation to help us to continue to bring others into a fight that we cannot do alone.
At 15 years old, I was both angry and shocked that human trafficking can exist. That feeling has never left me and I will be unwavering in pushing for a world where people are not bought or sold.
That world cannot be built without partnership, and I still make a great cup of tea and coffee, so if you’d like to find out how you can be part of the solution, please do reach out to me and I’ll get the kettle on.”