Learn
Nebraska is embedded in a regional trafficking network largely defined by I-80 and I-29. Each month, more than 900 individuals are advertised for commercial sex in Nebraska, with 70% of these ads showing signs of potential trafficking. The harsh reality is that many of these individuals enter the commercial sex industry at the age of 16 years old, and 32% of the individuals sold for sex in Nebraska each month are minors.
Sex-trafficking is defined as “the sexual exploitation of another human for personal gain.” While sex-trafficking affects all people of all demographics, there are specific circumstances that traffickers look for to exploit vulnerabilities. These vulnerable circumstances include poverty, homelessness, difficulty accessing food and shelter, and a history of trauma or childhood instability. 60-90% of sex-workers report they were sexually abused as children, and 3 out of 4 of those were abused by someone they knew or trusted.
Ending sex-trafficking isn’t a simple task, but we know without a doubt the vulnerable circumstances traffickers exploit are tangible, practical needs that can be addressed. Preventing trafficking is a huge factor to ending trafficking in Nebraska. When women have access to free resources including clothing, personal hygiene products, food, and supplies for their children, they are statistically much less likely to accept “help” from a trafficker who plans to ask for “repayment” down the road.
Beyond these basic needs, when women have access to emergency housing, medical care, mental health support, and social services that provide crisis stabilization, they are able to make plans to leave abusive situations and pursue long term safety and healing.
In a recent survey conducted in Nebraska, less than 16% of professional social service providers indicated that they are adequately meeting the needs of trafficking survivors. When social service workers focus on providing specific care to trafficking survivors, they can make a significant impact on the individual, their children, and the community at large. The major factor at play is that women know that they can access these free resources consistently, conveniently, with no strings attached. Next month we will share how the Disrupting Traffick Women’s Resource Center provides multiple layers of relational care to women in Nebraska.
Pray
- For a peaceful launch of Disrupting Traffick’s safe home. Pray for God to provide host moms to stay at the safe home and care for the women there. Pray protection from evil forces for the house and those living and serving there.
- That God would provide and stretch the resources of the women who attend Disrupting Traffick’s Resource Center so they can focus on healing instead of constantly worrying about caring for their physical needs and the needs of their families.
Give
We will be collecting food to pack Meal Kits to be handed out at Disrupting Traffick’s Resource Center. Please stay tuned for a list of food to donate!
Serve
Disrupting Traffick Resource Center
Disrupting Traffick has a Resource Center where women can receive food, hygiene items, and clothing for themselves and their families. They always need volunteers to sort through donations! If you’d like to volunteer in the Resource Center, please talk with Bethany and she will get you connected!
I’ve Got a Name Walk for Freedom
April 13th, 2024 – 9AM Join us as we walk from the Nebraska Union Broyhill Fountain to the Nebraska State Capitol Building, where you’ll have the opportunity to hear from Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Nebraska Volleyball middle blocker Rebekah Allick, and other individuals committed to making a change! Registration is $25, which includes a Walk For Freedom T-Shirt and Valentino’s Pizza. For students, registration is $15. Please use “Trinity Lutheran” as the Team Name. Register at https://ivegotaname.org/.