Human Trafficking Awareness, Support & Solutions

Action is Needed Now

Sex trafficking is happening right here in Madison. There are many different stories and situations when it comes to sex trafficking. Tragically, society continues to overlook the highest-risk populations. It’s time we take notice, and show the victims that we care, we believe them, and they matter.

HOW TO HELP

Local Organizations for Victim Support

Briarpatch Youth Services, Inc.

The mission of Briarpatch Youth Services is to strengthen the lives of youth and families. The agency offers a broad array of services to runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth. They work with local governments and other non-profits to provide unique programs that fill service gaps. Each year, Briarpatch serves approximately 3,000 unduplicated youth.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Domestic Abuse Intervention Services

Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (or DAIS) strives to empower those affected by domestic violence by offering a wide array of crisis intervention and community education/prevention programs, including a 24-hour Help Line, programming for children from violent homes, legal advocacy, support groups, and emergency safety planning. DAIS is the only domestic violence shelter in all of Dane County.

For help, please call (608) 251-4445, or (800) 747-4045 or text LOVEIS to 22522.

Damascus Road Project

Damascus Road was founded in 2009 and is dedicated to fighting the evil of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. They are committed to bringing awareness through educating, restoring and empowering the abused, and advocating for the prevention and abolition of human trafficking.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Every Daughter

Every Daughter is a group of women from Dane County churches who meet regularly to contact and offer assistance to women who are sexually exploited & trafficked in our community. They seek to build trust and relationships with the women they meet, offering judgment-free support.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Madison Police Department-Special Victims Unit

The MPD Special Victims Unit or "SVU" is staffed by six Detectives and a Detective Sergeant. SVU detectives advocate for victims and offer supportive resources to them and their families as they work to hold offenders accountable for their actions.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Pierre Outreach Safe Homes

The Pierre Outreach’s Safe House is a new, innovative solution that is addressing generational trauma. Young girls and their families are suffering. Vexing social standards in the black community pressures these girls into roles from generations past. This, combined with generational trauma, creates an environment where middle and high school age black and brown girls are ill-equipped to face societal emotional challenges.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Project Respect

Project RESPECT addresses domestic sex trafficking and local prostitution, offering services for survivors of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. They work to empower survivors and promote prevention and early intervention. They provide services consistent with their mission of supporting survivors' efforts to change their lives.

For more information, call (608) 283-6435

RCC (Rape Crisis Center) Sexual Violence Resource Center

The Rape Crisis Center advocates for those harmed by sexual violence by centering survivors, promoting societal change, and committing to be an evolving force for social equity.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

24/7 HELPLINE: (608) 251-7273

LÍNEA DE AYUDA: (608) 258-2567

UNIDOS

UNIDOS (United) has been in existence since 1996 and supports the Latine and other marginalized communities in Wisconsin. UNIDOS provides culturally relevant, confidential and bilingual support to individuals and families so they can overcome the challenges of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Yada Fair Trade & Resale

Yada is an upscale fair trade and resale store featuring clothing, furniture and home goods. They offer a boutique style shopping experience with thrifty prices. Beyond this, they offer hope to the community through strategic partnerships that bring awareness to human trafficking and offer hope in tangible ways to women that have been sexually exploited.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

YWCA Madison

YWCA Madison envisions a community where people of all racial, ethnic, socio-economic and gender groups are valued and included, and discrimination and injustice are eliminated. To this end, the YWCA Madison provides leadership in our community to create social change for all racial, ethnic, gender and economic groups. Through YWCA programming and collaborative initiatives, individuals, families and the community at large are empowered to greatly improve quality of life.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

Zeteo Community Homes

The Zeteo Community is a group of Christians from various churches and organizations united in serving our city. Their mission is to serve women who have been sexually exploited by providing long-term housing, holistic care, and a supportive community where they are free to dream and thrive.

For more information, CLICK HERE.

About Sex Trafficking & Exploitation

There are many marginalized populations in our community who suffer from trauma, homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, and discrimination. On top of all of these intense struggles, they also have to face daily sexual assaults. This is the reality even right here in Madison.

Within the communities that are most targeted, many are children, teens, those in the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, and indigenous peoples.

Imagine...

You are a 15-year-old girl of color and you have experienced significant trauma for as long as you can remember. You were sexually abused by your mother’s ex-boyfriend when you were only 6 years old, you have struggled with stable housing, often living in a car with your single mother and three younger siblings. One day you meet a guy who shows you love, kindness, and promises that he will take care of you. It’s like the answer to prayers - - your prince who will save you; he makes you feel special and “chosen”.

It starts like a dream until he turns on you and forces you to “pay him back for all he does for you” by forcing you to pleasure several men every single night, giving you drugs to make you compliant, and beats you viciously if you refuse or try to get away. He slowly takes you away from your family and convinces you this lifestyle is normal. He convinces you that if you go to the police they will arrest you. He tells you to keep your mouth shut or he threatens to kill your family. You eventually give up and are convinced you don’t matter and you have no choice.

This is happening every single day to those who are the most vulnerable - right here in Madison. While reliable statistics are difficult to come by due to so many victims being unable to come forward, it has been found that over 150 ads for sex are placed in Madison every day. The number is growing because this kind of business is very lucrative. A person’s body can be used over and over whereas, in the illegal drug market, a product is gone once it's consumed. More and more, where there are drugs being sold, people are being sold.

During a time when so many of us are working to give opportunities to those in our community who have been unrepresented and level the playing field for those who have been marginalized, victims of sex trafficking remain vulnerable, voiceless, and unseen. They continue to experience all of the traumas and hardships of life while also enduring daily rape and torture.

There is something you can do to help.

Free Anti-Sex Trafficking Training

Along with our local initiative partners, we are providing free, hour long, anti-sex trafficking training to anyone interested. Click below to reach out and find a training option that works for you or your organization. Virtual options are available and donations are appreciated.