The Salvation Army of Greater St. Louis Opens Anti-Human Trafficking Drop-In Center
(St. Louis, MO) — The Salvation Army of Greater St. Louis is proud to announce the opening of an anti-human trafficking drop-in center with a goal of restoring freedom and a future to survivors. The drop-in center is the second phase of the three-phase initiative, which provides direct services to survivors in our community is critical to breaking the cycle of sex and labor trafficking.
St. Louis and Missouri rank among the top 20 cities and states for human trafficking cases across the country.
"All too often we think 'it won't happen to me' or 'that's not happening in my neighborhood,'" said Major Adam Moore, General Secretary and Greater St. Louis Area Commander. "The convergence of highway systems and several other factors contribute to human trafficking being so prevalent in St. Louis. That's why we have invested in specialized training for our case managers to properly identify signs of human trafficking and also in how to respond in these situations."
The Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative is focused in four key areas: awareness and training, prevention and outreach, survivor services and recovery, and partnership and advocacy.
"The Salvation Army has long served survivors of human trafficking and we are so thrilled to have formalized this initiative and be able to provide a more comprehensive range of services," said LaKeysha Fields, Associate Divisional and St. Louis Regional Social Services Director. "We are grateful to have the drop-in center open, which has long been a dream for us, and we look forward to expanding the services we provide in phase three of the initiative, which will involve the opening of a safe house for survivors. We see many women who want to leave their trafficker but may be wrestling with the transition, so we work with them on that plan and help them feel safe and secure in the process."
The Salvation Army has long addressed human trafficking. In the 1800s, Founder William Booth rescued woman from trafficking situations in England. He and his wife Catherine also mobilized Salvationists to collect nearly 400,000 signatures on a petition that led to Parliament raising the age of consent to 16.
While The Salvation Army serves all individuals, regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, or immigration status -- the drop-in center serves adult females, 18 years and older. The Center and its staff provide services such as:
· Case Management
· Crisis Intervention
· Individual and Group Therapy
· Laundry Services
· Snacks/hydration
· Outreach and Engagement
· Personal Hygiene Care (bathroom with shower access)
· Rest Areas
· Substance Use Disorder Treatment
· Trauma-informed Care
· Victim Advocacy
The Center’s exact location is intentionally kept private to ensure the safety of those we serve. For additional information on the Initiative, visit https://salarmy.us/ahti.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, please email [email protected]. Individuals needing immediate service can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 (TTY:771) or by texting 233733. All services and information are kept confidential.
About The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army annually helps nearly 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. Founded in London, England, in 1865, The Salvation Army has been active in the Greater St. Louis area since 1880. The Salvation Army Midland Division provides a wide range of services for those in need in our community including corps community centers, Emergency Disaster Services, Emergency Social Services, housing programs and emergency shelter. For more information, visit www.stlsalvationarmy.org.