About O.A.T.H.
Mission Statement: Oklahomans Against Trafficking Humans is a non-profit NGO dedicated to increase awareness of human trafficking, to identify victims, and work collaboratively with our partners to provide comprehensive services to identified victims in Oklahoma.
OATH was organized in 2008 by a small group of concerned citizens in Tulsa that had become aware of trafficking problems here in our state. The initial mission has been to bring awareness about human trafficking and the activity of traffickers operating here in Oklahoma and to create a victim centered approach to our advocacy.
In Febuary of 2009 the OATH acting director Mark Elam, was invited by representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, US Department of State, US Attorney General’s Office, and Oklahoma City Police Department to become the state-wide agency promoting awareness and education about human trafficking in Oklahoma. Additionally Mark Elam was asked to organize and moderate the FBI working task force on human trafficking and network agencies and service providers to join in the effort to identify victims of human trafficking and provide them the services needed.
In March or 2009 OATH was registered with the state of Oklahoma and a non-profit organization and soon after became a fiscal responsible partner with Communities Foundation of Oklahoma as an organization with 501(c)(3) benefits and accountability. Currently board members are being selected to give direction to the organization. Mark Elam is the current executive director and all positions to date are volunteer positions.
Mark Elam
Executive Director
O.A.T.H. Coalition
Mark Elam became aware of human trafficking in 2003 and subsequently traveled to India, South Asia, and the Philippines to work with organizations that rescue girls from sex trafficking. His international organization, Angel Eyes, helps support safe houses and prevention centers in Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines with teams on the ground, working to rescue and restore victims of sex trafficking. While raising awareness and support for the global problem, Mr. Elam discovered that human trafficking and child sex trafficking is happening here in America as well.
Mr. Elam visited several of the Dept. of Justice Task Force/Coalition cities to learn from them what our federal government is doing to combat this problem here in America… and then implemented that plan here in Oklahoma. In the first year of operation O.A.T.H. has partnered with over 60 federal, state and local organizations to service victims of trafficking found here in Oklahoma. With the help of great partnering agencies and volunteers, awareness about this issue is growing in Oklahoma.
What motivates Mr. Elam to such passion for these victims comes from his own sexual molestation as a child, and the journey of healing that he personally walked through. As a father of daughters, with a divine call to minister life to the hurting and bring freedom to the captive, Mark Elam is driven to see a change in our community & global culture.
Additionally, Mr. Elam moderates the FBI/ICE Human Trafficking Task Force that meets monthly in Oklahoma City where they are currently working active cases within our Oklahoma boarders. Mr. Elam is available for presentations and speaking engagements on the topic of global human trafficking or domestic sex trafficking.