Sign hanging outside the office of the Looking Glass Trafficking Prevention Specialist and Survivor Advocate
The Trafficking Prevention Specialist and Survivor Advocate plays a crucial role in providing trafficked youth with a safe space and assistance with extricating themselves from a dangerous situation. For the safety of the employee in this unique role, we are not identifying her by name. For the importance of the education of this community, we are sharing some of her experiences.
Trafficking of youth comes in many forms, but most often comes down to a vulnerable young person trading favors or services in exchange for housing, food, or other basis needs. Or, in some cases these services are traded for drugs or alcohol, which, in turn help these victims endure the assault or abuse at the hands of those holding power over them.
One such youth who needed the help of our Survivor Advocate was “Rachel” who accessed New Roads drop-in center and disclosed to a case manager that she hadn’t left the house at which she was experiencing trafficking for months. She was referred to the Survivor Advocate where she shared experiences of repeated sexual abuse. At first, in fear of retaliation, Rachel did not want to move out. Over time, as trust was developed, the Survivor Advocate did everything she could to keep her at New Roads for longer periods of time. The Advocate encouraged Rachel to engage in New Roads School. Eventually, the Advocate was able to secure a room in an undisclosed safe house until she could arrange to move in with a relative. Now Rachel is within weeks of completing her GED and has a steady job and is engaged in therapy. The Advocate credits patience and a non-judgmental approach to this success.
Safe sex supply kits are handed out to youth at New Roads drop-in center
“We are all about meeting them where they are at,” the Advocate explained. “If what they are experiencing seems normal to them, at first, we simply acknowledge that and normalize it as well. Then, over time, we help them see that this is not safe for them and that they deserve more and are capable of a better life.”
The State of Oregon identified 746 victims of human trafficking in Oregon between October 2018 and October 2019 (still the most recent year we have this data for). Of those, 120 were in Lane County; 16 were in Douglas County, Only Clackamas (138) and Multnomah (208) counties had more identified victims than Lane in data compiled by the Oregon Department of Justice and the Oregon Department of Human Services.
The Survivor Advocate at Looking Glass is focused on building trust and creating a safe space for youth to share what’s happening to them.
“My role is to provide a safe, stable, and consistent environment free of judgement,” the S.A. said. “Youth can come to me and speak about their feelings, struggles, goals and anything and rest assured that it goes nowhere they do not want it to go. I have youth that come to me and are not ready to talk about or leave the situation of trafficking, sex abuse or domestic violence they are in. I do not push. I speak with them about where they are with life such as safe housing, education, health, and mental health.”
Human trafficking is second only to drug trafficking as the most lucrative crime. Every year some 1 million to 2 million men, women and children become victims of human trafficking; 70% are female; half of all victims are ages 19-33, with the average age being 27, though many are younger than 12.
Housing is often a challenge but there is one apartment unit above New Roads that the Advocate can place survivors for up to 30 days and additional Transitional Housing programs for placement in the community elsewhere. And Station 7 and the PEER shelter both also offer short term safe housing options for survivors.
According to statistics released by the National Human Trafficking Hotline in 2021, 485 signals were received by the hotline in Oregon. 177 of those signals were from survivors of trafficking. And of those 177, at least 36 involved minors.
This role interacts with several area agencies including:
Kids First
SASS
Hope and Safety Alliance
HIV Alliance
LTD
Eugene Police Department
Community members who want to help these youth can assist by making donations including the following:
Hygiene items are provided to youth at New Roads drop-in center
Clothing vouchers and clothing
Hygiene Items
Make-up/cosmetics
Hotel Vouchers
Interested donors can contact Tyler Mack, VP of Marketing & Development at tyler.mack@lookingglass.us
Anyone in need of services from the Survivor Advocate can contact the confidential line: 541-972-0288.
Anyone in immediate crisis can contact the 24/7 Crisis Line at 541-689-3111