Our Goal: Position Kentucky as the nation’s hub for quality training and credible research on faith-based care for survivors of sexual exploitation.
9th
Kentucky ranked 9th for new criminal human trafficking cases in 20191
3,134
The National Human Trafficking Hotline has received 3,134 contacts related to Kentucky since 20072
26%
Jefferson County has a child poverty rate of 26% and the highest number of homeless students3
16
Average age of sex trafficking victim in Kentucky4
We invite you to make an investment in this work, and in our vision that any survivor—anywhere in the nation—would have access to qualified, compassionate care.
Does Sex Trafficking Happen in Kentucky?
Mirroring the national situation, trafficking is a serious problem in Kentucky. Traffickers and their victims exist throughout the Louisville metropolitan area — and the stories depicted in movies and TV shows is rarely reality. Trafficking cases have been identified in rural and urban areas across the state. In fact, in 2019, Kentucky ranked ninth for new criminal human trafficking cases. Recently, a multi-state human trafficking operation, Operation United Front, resulted in 21 victims and 46 arrests across Kentucky. According to the Kentucky Governor’s office, human trafficking is happening in big cities and small towns in all 120 counties across the state.
Why Should I Care?
The US Department of Justice estimates 100,000 American children are at risk for sexual exploitation—and an untold number of adults5. Safe housing remains the #1 need of survivors. Today, there are only 213 shelters in the U.S. dedicated to serving victims of domestic sex trafficking6. It is not enough. This equates to approximately 2,500 beds. According to Kentucky Human Trafficking Investigator, Rick Lynn “We don’t have enough shelters. We need a variety of shelters aimed at different audiences – and all of them would be filled. Right now we can only serve less than 25% of the victims.”
Training, Equipping, and Conducting Research
No matter what is going on in the world, trafficking doesn’t stop and neither will we. During these ever-changing times, the Institute for Shelter Care is more dedicated than ever to advancing quality care for sexually-exploited persons through transformative residential care programs, collaborative research, and supportive shelter mentorship.
Join the Fight
Establishing new shelter programs and equipping existing shelter providers requires resources—individuals/organizations willing to open shelters, funding for training and operations, and more prayer.
Sources:
1 2019 Federal Human Trafficking Report
2 Dept of HHS, 2020
3 Kentucky Kids Count Data Center. (2018). Child Poverty Rate (Single-Year Estimates). Retrieved from https://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/tables/3829- childpoverty-rate-single year-estimates#detailed/2/any/ false/37,871,870,573,869,36,868,867,133,38/any/10827
4 dosomething.org
5 National Shelter Landscape Map. Institute for Shelter Care, 18 Feb. 2022, https://instituteforsheltercare.org/shelter-map
6 Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking. Subcommittee on Crime and Homeland Security, 9 Sept. 2010, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-111hhrg58250/html/CHRG-111hhrg58250.htm
Kentucky leaders speak about Human Trafficking efforts in the state. Watch to learn more:
“Trafficking doesn’t stop when you lock the bad guys up. It takes so much more. It takes men and women of good will who are ready to pick up the pieces of those who have been victimized…Simply put, it is choosing to be the hands and feet of Christ and it takes a big vision—the vision that the Institute for Shelter Care has. Let me leave no doubt when it comes to our office. You are not alone in this fight. Our office stands in agreement with the Institute for Shelter Care and, as Scripture demands, we will carry this burden with you.”
– Attorney General Daniel Cameron
“The Institute for Shelter Care being here in Kentucky will not only help continue our efforts but to push them forward”
– Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear