MBCH Provides Support For Those Trapped In Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking profits from enslaving people for sexual servitude and forced labor worldwide. Consider the following statistics:
- There are 100,000 to 300,000 underage girls being sold for sex in America.
- The average age of American victims is 12-14 years old.
- 1 out of every 3 teens on the street will be lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of running away from home.
- Minor victims were sold 10-15 times a day, 6 days a week.
Our primary focus is to serve women and minors who are victims of sex trafficking. MBCH provides basic housing and safety needs as each client’s unique situation is addressed through a comprehensive care program. The hope is that clients will begin to heal from the trauma they have experienced and will find freedom in Christ, enabling them to make healthy life choices.
If you are a victim of human trafficking or you know someone who is, please call 1-800-264-6224 for assistance. You can also visit the National Human Trafficking Resource Center website for more information: https://traffickingresourcecenter.org/
National Human Trafficking Hotline
1-888-373-7888 or text “HELP” to 233733
Story: Precious Hailey
Hailey couldn’t keep her letters straight. They were always twisting sideways when she tried to write them, and every fairy tale she read came to a sudden stop long before she made it to the happy ending. She lived caught in a climax that never resolved. Eleven years old and beautiful, Hailey was bursting with anger and song.
She had lived on the streets more than once, so when she moved into MBCH Anti-Trafficking West, her instinct was still to run. No one had ever told her how to handle fear or conflict. Every time she spiraled out, she slipped through the window, back into the old lure of danger and hurt.
But Hailey loved people, too. In spite of past darkness, she still had so much daylight dancing inside with a smile for every new friend. MBCH staff found creative ways to build on her strengths instead of only focusing on what Hailey couldn’t do yet. We encouraged her for every glimpse of kindness, hard work, and excitement, then built her a new sense of safety that helped her relax back into being a kid.
And we weren’t the only ones loving Hailey. Our staff collaborated with her middle school teachers to build a customized behavior and educational plan that gave Hailey the structure and resources she needed. Over time, she started controlling negative outbursts, stayed in class more often, and began feeling connected to teachers and classmates instead of frustrated and alone.
Every day after school, Anti-Trafficking West staff helped her drill sight words and untangle notes. Books and their knowledge were no longer closed off to her, like cliques; instead, they welcomed her in, making her feel capable and accepted. Hailey was on her way to reading, and every week she beamed with new success.
Of course she still got lost in setbacks. Some days, no one understood the language she used to shout her pain or how to answer in a way she could hear. The line between personal responsibility and PTSD runs paper-thin in places, and every staff member danced back and forth across its edges as we tried to both give her grace and push her to grow. Hailey wasn’t the only one who learned to apologize. We had to step back sometimes, too, and assess how we might have responded better.
But something was clicking for her, despite the imperfections of everyone on her team—or maybe because of them. Every Wednesday and Sunday, Hailey couldn’t wait to go to church and hear the next chapter of the story about grace. Many nights, she begged staff members to pray with her and do her bedtime devotions early. She knew about hungry prodigals and the one rebel sheep who slept far off in the cold. Every time the good shepherd strolled back into the story, she leaned forward, electrified, like Jesus had just come and claimed her by name.
And He had. She was His precious little Hailey, slowly finding her way to the plans He’d written for her before the world found its shape.
