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Safe Harbor
The Problem
Human Trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings, mainly for the purpose of forced labor and sex trafficking. As the world’s fastest growing criminal industry, it affects every nation across the globe.
National Stats:
In 2020, of the nearly 26,500 missing children reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), one in six were likely victims of child sex trafficking.
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Online forms of sex trafficking increased by more than 45% during the COVID-19 pandemic (reports Polaris, the nonprofit that operates the National Human Trafficking Hotline).
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The US Justice Department has identified less than 600 beds available nationwide for child sex trafficking survivors’ long-term recovery from trauma.
Ohio Stats:
For reported cases, the four biggest states rank the highest, with California, Texas, Florida, and New York recording the highest number of cases, ranking first through fourth along with their population size.
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The exception is the state of Ohio. Ohio is ranked seventh in population, but we rank fifth for the number of reported cases.
The Plan:
Ohio will soon be home to Safe Harbor, a faith-based, long-term, residential, therapeutic community for girls, ages 14 through 19, who have been recovered from sex traffickers.
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Safe Harbor will provide trauma-informed, holistic care for the girls on site. These services will include on-site medical and physical care provided by local partners, doctors, psychiatrists, and staff therapists. For their education, we will partner with a charter school. With a staff pastor and the help of local churches, we will nurture the girls’ spirituality to find their own faith.
Reconnecting with the community and where appropriate, family and relatives are also part of the Circle of Care, with mentoring, family, and group therapy.
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We’ll also be teaching social and relational skills like healthy conflict resolution and self-regulation. We will be able to offer independent living and job skills training.
THE PARTNERSHIP
We are taking a three-pronged approach.
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Leader’s Edge is initiating this project. We believe in leveraging influence to inspire others to make a great impact. This project will not only make an impact in our local community but across all of Ohio.
Eight Days of Hope are the builders who have committed to building this project and mobilizing volunteers. They have been building safe houses across the United States. They offer construction expertise from start to finish to help build homes where survivors can be safe and free to start a new life.
The Refuge is the expert in working with survivors of Human Trafficking. The Refuge for DMST in Texas is home to the largest long-term, live-in rehabilitation facility for child survivors of sex trafficking in the United States.