Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels talks with Becky Rasmussen, Executive Director of Call to Freedom in Sioux Falls about their education plans for human trafficking in Sioux Falls and South Dakota.

THE PROBLEM

Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings, mainly for the purposes of forced labor and sex trafficking. As the world’s fastest growing criminal industry, it affects every nation across the globe. Every 30 seconds, someone becomes a victim of modern-day slavery.

There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history, with an estimated 40 million in bondage across the globe. Men, women, and children are being exploited for manual and sexual labor against their will.

Call to Freedom estimates that up to 90% of survivors fall through the cracks. Either they return to “the life” (streets), end up in jail or prison, or simply disappear due to a lack of specialized long-term care for survivors.

OUR SOLUTION

Navigating a Healthy Path from Victim to Survivor through victim-centered responsive services to those who have experienced sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

Call to Freedom provides supportive services for victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation and human trafficking education throughout the community.  By creating a strong network of frontline providers who offer safe housing, counseling, medical assistance, transportation and other supportive services.

The scope of the problem demands coordinated, unified efforts among both the government and nongovernment sectors, as well as the local communities.