About Freedom NWPA
What is Human Trafficking?
According to the Department of Justice, “Human Trafficking is a crime involving the exploitation of a person for labor, services, or commercial sex.” Individuals under the age of 18 involved in commercial sex are legally considered to be trafficked, whether or not they believe they have given consent.
No matter the age of the victim, human trafficking involves coercion, fraud, violence, and cycles of abuse.
The Problem
Human trafficking doesn’t just happen in big cities—it happens in our local grocery stores, schools, and neighborhoods. Traffickers exploit vulnerabilities, often targeting those least equipped to defend themselves.
In rural communities, children or youth are often trafficked by people they know, even by family, because of addiction and poverty. Sometimes victims are manipulated and abused through social media.
Victims often feel that they have no resources, options, or people who care about them. Sometimes abuse is so normalized that victims don’t even recognize the gravity of their situation.
And many community members don’t realize that trafficking exists so close to home. Because of this, abuse and exploitation thrives: in secrecy, shame, and stigma.
The Solution
We want to upset this cycle of violence and abuse.
Our mission is to educate, empower, and activate our rural communities to recognize, prevent, and respond to human trafficking.
We believe that awareness is the first step toward freedom, and that every member of our community can play a role in ending human trafficking.
From educational presentations, to helpful resources and workshops, we equip you with what you need to make a difference!
