We hear a lot of warnings and fear around human trafficking. But practically, what does it look like? And what impact is it having on North Texas?
Answering those questions is the heart behind the "Truth About Trafficking" event Thursday, September 7 at Eastside Community Church in Dallas.The event is free, but they are encouraging pre-registration."Our heart is genuinely and truly to collaborate with the organizations to come and just raise awareness around the truths about trafficking in our Dallas Fort Worth area," says Abby Germer, executive director of Refuge for Women North Texas.
In addition to hearing from Refuge for Women, the panel will include representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, Traffick 911, Our Calling, 4 The One Foundation, the Dallas Police Department, the Denton County Sheriff Department, and a brave survivor of trafficking.
"So often we see stories, we hear stories, we watch movies and that may not necessarily be what we see and experience here locally," Germer says. "Our heart is just to empower our community to be a voice for the voiceless."
And empowerment is exactly what Refuge for Women is all about, helping victims transition out of being trafficked.Refuge for Women North Texas currently operates two homes in the area. Each home accommodates six women at a time. The year-long program offers comprehensive services to address trauma healing and substance abuse struggles. The organization provides licensed professional counseling, curated curriculum, and support to help women rediscover their talents and find hope.Additionally, they assist in moving survivors into independent living through their transitional living house.
"We are in the process of opening an emergency house. This will be yet a third facility that we are going to be able to provide crisis stabilization services for," Germer says.
What Refuge for Women, and other organizations like it do is not easy, but it's essential in the fight to eradicate trafficking."This work is hard," Germer says. "You definitely hear things that are hard to hear. But when you see the hope and the transformation that comes in their lives, it's definitely our rallying cry to just stay in it and help more women."
Follow this link if you would like to give to Refuge for Women. You can also help victims by purchasing items from their Amazon wish list.
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