Sex Trafficking happens in the unhoused community. It is almost statistically impossible to configure the number of victims that are in the homeless communities as other things like addictions, and mental health disorders that may have been caused by the abuses and drugs, will appear to be the predominate issue that most people recognize and not even think to see, listen, or believe them if they mention being trafficked or not.

51% of the victim/survivors Bravestone Project have worked with are from the unhoused community. Historically victims and survivors are in need of some type of help, and since most victims/survivors don’t often identify it’s difficult for them to receive the proper help they need and deserve.

When we see victims/survivors they are often recommended to us by others who may or may not have been trained to recognize what sex trafficking is and looks like. We have had some come to us claiming to be trafficked and during those times we listen to them, and discover that yes, they are in need of our assistance but to what degree. We see where they are, hear them and do the best that we absolutely can help them in the moment.

Our largest difficulty, like with others who work with the unhoused, is finding the right safe place for them to stay. Because of the degree or type of victim/survivor we may see, finding an emergency place to even work with them is like finding a needle in a haystack. Then to find even a transitional or long-term facility is even more difficult.

The unhoused are often in survival mode and because they live on the streets, in alleys, in cars, someone else’s couch, they are often in a place where they need to do what they need to do to survive. Often reverting back to what they know and how to do that. If the survivor had already been in a place where they were prostituting for someone else, they may look for a way to get back in the game or perhaps even become the recruiter or bottom if they happened to have aged out.

The survivor mode can add to the already mounting trauma to their mind, and bodies. When helping a victim/survivor in the unhoused community you may have to allow them to leave and come back for help as they may not trust you enough and believe that you could help them. A sense of paranoia can begin to set in, and they may leave often falling right back into the situation they came from.

You can help us continue to help the unhoused we see by donating today. It doesn’t have to be large amounts. If you want to pledge $10, $15, $20 a month will help us to continue to work in our mission.

Having a missing juvenile or young adult can be very frightening. Having had the experience with in our team, we can help you with finding your missing person. We have the ability to help make flyers, share on social media platforms and knock on doors. We also have the ability to walk along side you while working through the necessary process of how to report and to whom.

We also collaborate with other organizations who also help find missing persons outside our area. Together we can make a difference in reaching the vulnerable and the lost.

Our main goal is to be able to offer an opportunity for women 18 and older, who are survivors of trafficking to find a safe place where they can find hope, healing, and restoration. Join us in helping provide these safe spaces for women in our communities and beyond.