Plenty!
It’s common to hear that sex trafficked victims are often led to believe that they can’t survive on their own. That they won’t have anyone to look after them – providing meals or shelter. It’s a common pattern for traffickers to make their captives feel unempowered.
So what resources are actually available if someone turns in their pimp? Actually, quite a lot.
In the best of circumstances, trafficked victims can sue their captors for all the money taken in during their captivity.
Depending on where the victim lives, there are many houses offering shelter and assistance transitioning back into normal society. In Cleveland, the Harbor Light Center is completing an entirely new wing just for trafficking
Nationwide, check the website of AuntBertha for thousands of organizations that offer help of all kinds.
Worldwide, here are more organizations that are all available to help.
Also, the federal government in the United States, through the Health and Human Services department offers the following:
When victims of trafficking are identified, the U.S. government can help them adjust their immigration status, and obtain support and assistance in rebuilding their lives in the United States through various programs. By certifying victims of trafficking, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) enables trafficking victims who are non-U.S. citizens to receive Federally funded benefits and services to the same extent as a refugee.
Victims of trafficking who are U.S. citizens do not need to be certified to receive benefits. As U.S. citizens, they may already be eligible for many benefits.
Through HHS, victims can access benefits and services including food, health care
and employment assistance. Certified victims of trafficking can obtain access to services that provide English language instruction and skills training for job placement.Since many victims are reluctant to come forward for fear of being deported, one of HHS’ most important roles is to connect victims with non-profit organizations prepared to assist them and address their specific needs. These organizations can provide counseling, case management
and benefit coordination.If you think you have come in contact with a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888.3737.888. This hotline will help you determine if you have encountered victims of human trafficking, will identify local resources available in your community to help victims, and will help you coordinate with local social service organizations to help protect and serve victims so they can begin the process of restoring their lives. For more information on human trafficking visit www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking.
Stock photo courtesy of Anh Nyugen – Unsplash
