Dr. CEILA WILLIAMSON
EMANCIPATION NATION
Emancipation Nation is the leader in the fight against human trafficking, providing education, training, and advocacy that drive real change.
IMMEDIATE GOALS
Serve victims and survivors with evidence-based models of prevention and innovative solutions to help them make life changes, get access to resources, and live a more fulfilling and internally joyful life.
Build a knowledge base through rigorous research to empower targeted systems-level strategies to disrupt and prevent human trafficking.
Increase awareness of the issue by engaging in truthful, anti-oppressive, and inclusive narratives, so together, as a community, we can work to prevent more victims.
Emancipation Nation was created to carry out Dr. Celia Williamson’s mission, which is to help survivors of various forms of human trafficking and help prevent more victims through research, education, and advocacy.
We work with…
Company BackgrounD
Emancipation Nation started with Dr. Celia Williamson taking to the street in her hometown, Toledo, Ohio, after losing friends to human trafficking. Every day, when she drove to work, she would see women on the street involved in prostitution and was determined to help them. She started by building relationships, interviewing women, and immersing herself in street culture. After six months, she created the first direct service anti-trafficking program in Ohio with initial funding from the United Methodist Church and the City of Toledo.
Williamson went on to conduct street outreach on the streets of Toledo and in jails, facilitated groups, and advocated for women and youth. This work allowed her to win grants and bring funding to the Toledo community to provide programs and services for sex trafficking victims.
She went on to pursue her Ph.D. and returned to the Toledo community to build a thriving anti-trafficking coalition, international conference, and global association of human trafficking scholars.
How We Empower Individuals
Our evidence-based programs for survivors and high-risk individuals have been tested for effectiveness and efficiency.
How We Work With Institutions
We work with criminal justice professionals, health care organizations, direct service agencies, faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and peer leaders to help them understand the needs of survivors. We offer training and other tools to help them competently fight for survivors’ human rights, develop policies, deploy practical and best practice strategies, and advocate for high-risk individuals.
We offer in-office and virtual training and in-the-field study to empower institutions with real-life experience and skills to be effective.
Our approach moves Victims to Survivors and Survivors to Thrivers.
How We Work With Researchers
GAHTS (Global Association of Human Trafficking Scholars) is committed to fostering national and international partnerships that recognize the historical, political, structural, and cultural dimensions of human trafficking. These factors shape research, inform policy development, and guide activism within diverse global communities.
As a network of researchers, scientists, and advocates from various disciplines and lived experiences, GAHTS unites around a shared mission. We stand ready — both individually and collectively — to provide resources that empower policymakers and activists in their efforts to combat human trafficking, support survivors, and enhance community safety.
“Every scar allows you to tell your story of survival, but every step toward healing writes a chapter of transformation leading toward a thriving life.” — Dr. Celia Williamson