The Importance of Transparency in Nonprofits - Resilience & Relationships - Stephanie Olson & Rebecca SaundersThe Importance of Transparency in Nonprofits - Resilience & Relationships - Stephanie Olson & Rebecca Saunders
Resilience in Life and Leadership
Stephanie Olson and Rebecca Saunders talk through recent allegations connected to a human trafficking charity, focusing on honesty, donor influence and language like "rescue". The conversation highlights why case-by-case evaluation and transparent policies are vital for anyone supporting or working with nonprofits.
21:30•7 Oct 2026
Transparency, Trust and Human Trafficking Charities
Episode Overview
- Transparency should be a core value in nonprofits, especially when allegations arise against staff or donors.
- The term "rescue" can create false expectations about trafficking and recovery, ignoring that healing is a lifelong process.
- Large donors should not be protected at the expense of integrity; money should never trump ethical standards.
- Clear upfront policies, such as refusing to support the commercial sex industry, help set expectations for staff and volunteers.
- Each nonprofit, including faith-based and anti-trafficking organisations, needs to be evaluated case by case before people give their support.
“I think just in general, trying to cover up the truth is a bad idea. Truth always comes out. So let's just be honest.”
What insights can experts and survivors share about addiction, ethics, and leadership inside charities? This conversation on **Resilience in Life and Leadership** brings together Stephanie Olson and Rebecca Saunders as they unpack why transparency in nonprofits matters so much, especially around human trafficking prevention. The chat starts with Stephanie raising concerns about people exploiting human trafficking organisations, whether as donors or founders.
Instead of simply avoiding these charities altogether, she argues that people should look closer at how organisations behave when something goes wrong. Rebecca joins in to talk about language, poking holes in the glossy "rescue" narrative often sold to the public. For them, the term suggests a neat movie-style ending, when in reality "healing is lifelong" and can involve relapse and ongoing trauma.
Much of the discussion centres on allegations around a pastor connected to the faith-based charity Project Rescue, reported by Christian journalist Julie Roys. Stephanie reads from public reports and highlights the tension between keeping big donors happy and staying honest with supporters and survivors. At one point she states plainly, "I don't want your money at that point," making clear where her organisation, The Set Me Free Project, draws the line.
You'll hear them wrestle with how far a nonprofit should go in public statements, what genuine transparency looks like, and how to protect staff without going into hiding. They describe their own policies for volunteers and employees, including a clear stance against the commercial sex industry and recorded interviews to set expectations from day one. This episode is aimed at anyone who donates, works for, or runs a charity, especially those focused on trafficking, faith, or recovery.
It pushes you to ask harder questions: how does your favourite nonprofit handle scandal, and are they as honest as you think? Maybe it’s time to look a little closer before you give.
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