January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a critical time to shed light on the hidden dangers facing some of our most vulnerable populations. Knowing that nearly 33% of runaway youth have traded sex to meet basic needs, Huckleberry House finds it imperative to equip our staff with the knowledge and tools to identify and support youth at risk of human trafficking.
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 20, 2025), our team participated in a professional development training led by Gracehaven, a local organization specializing in anti-human trafficking efforts. The training focused on understanding human trafficking through the lens of transition-age youth (18-24 years old) and provided valuable insights into the unique vulnerabilities faced by this group.
We asked Melanie, our Director of Professional Development, about the importance of holding this training for our staff. She shared, “A victim of human trafficking can look like many of the youth we serve. Our team learned risk and safety factors as well as appropriate and safe ways to engage and respond to potential victims.” Gracehaven also addressed common myths about human trafficking and shared statistics to debunk these generalizations that misrepresent reality, such as:
- It always involves violence or physical force.
- It always requires moving or taking a person somewhere.
- Only women and girls are victims.
- Only men are traffickers.
- Traffickers are strangers to the victim.
These misconceptions can obscure the reality of trafficking and hinder intervention. The statistics further emphasize the need for action:
- LGBTQIA+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their peers.
- 60% of child sex trafficking victims have histories in the child welfare system.
- 93% of survivors report mental health challenges, including substance abuse.
Human trafficking thrives in the shadows, but together, we can bring it into the light. Huckleberry House extends our heartfelt thanks to Gracehaven for their expertise and dedication to this cause. By educating our staff and the community, we’re taking necessary steps toward protecting at-risk youth and creating a safer, more supportive environment for all.
For more information on how you can help prevent human trafficking, visit Gracehaven’s website here.
