Special Agent in Charge Royce Curtin announced his selection of Ms. Chandra Moyer, Founder & Executive Director of Release Me International, for the 2014 Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) for her dedication to the furtherance of crime prevention and education at the local, state, and national levels.

Release Me International (RMI) was inspired by Chandra Moyer’s work in Uganda, where she learned first-hand about the devastating effects of human trafficking. She worked with ex-child soldiers who were rescued from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). As an ordained minister, Chandra worked in collaborative partnership with a non-government organization to help war-affected youth overcome emotional trauma.

Chandra’s first exposure to the commercial sexual exploitation of children was as a young girl living in the Philippines. She observed young girls being exploited and was also a victim of sexual exploitation in her home. Chandra’s journey to overcome these memories and her childhood sexual abuse led her to become a defender for young victims.

RMI’s mission is to create awareness and prevent child exploitation and sex trafficking through the education of today’s youth, school administrators, health care professionals, and law enforcement. In the last two years, RMI successfully collaborated in educating more than 1,500 individuals in Virginia. In addition, Chandra’s partnerships with non-governmental organizations have had an impact on victims in Kiota, Tanzania, the Philippines, and Uganda.

RMI also maintains a robust Internet website for constant online outreach that addresses child sex trafficking, offers resources for prevention/awareness and victim services, and provides real-world examples (of victims) that are used for educational tools.

Ms. Chandra Moyer’s direct involvement with young women, local law enforcement, social workers, and local universities, have impacted the community and merit special recognition. It is with much appreciation that the Norfolk FBI selects Ms. Chandra Moyer as the 2014 DCLA recipient.