Free2Hope Inc.

Free2Hope, Inc. has an excellent reputation for meeting the basic human needs of vulnerable and victimized women in Louisville, Kentucky. We recognize that a dedicated place for resources to guide people toward self-sufficiency is the best way to create real change in individuals and their communities. Free2Hope has designed several opportunities for women to increase their understanding of trauma, build resiliency, and increase their self-efficacy. We have learned that women who have been victimized desire to fulfill the basic psychological needs of competence, relatedness, and autonomy. We hope that by promoting a peaceful and inclusive center for sustainable development, we can help women attain their goals for a better future.

Mission Statement

Free2Hope, Inc. attained 501(3)(c) non-profit status in 2013.

Free2Hope’s mission involves these three goals:

(1) To educate the community and increase awareness of human trafficking and sexual-based crimes in Kentucky.

(2) To provide programs that equip local businesses and communities to address and prevent human trafficking in their areas.

(3) To provide a Women’s Drop-in Center for female victims of domestic violence and sex crimes, including human trafficking; to get help with basic needs, such as finding local resources, and providing a supportive environment for people to heal from traumatic experiences.

Human Trafficking

What is Human Trafficking?

Trafficking in persons shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons, using the threat or use by force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, the abuse of power or a position of vulnerability or of the giving and receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude, or the removal of organs.

Trafficking consists of three core elements:

Trafficking means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons.

The means of trafficking include the threat of or use of force, deception, coercion, abuse of power, or position of vulnerability.

The purpose of trafficking is always exploitation. In the words of the Trafficking Protocol, article 3, "exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.

The Realities:

An estimated 100,000 children are being trafficked in the United States right now.
Last year, human trafficking made more money than Google, Nike, and Starbucks combined.

Childhood Sexual Exploitation

Child Sexual Exploitation:

A child being groomed for a sexual purpose: Commercial sex work, sex shows, pornography, abuse through new technologies, including online sexual exploitation with web cameras, stripping, non-commercial sexual exploitation, and marriage for sexual exploitation.

The Damage

Sexual violence against children is recognized internationally as the most severe violation of human rights and the worst form of child abuse and exploitation. It can have severe, long-term, and even life-threatening effects on a child’s physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional, and social development.

It's A Fact

More than one in three children aged 11-17 (34%) who experienced contact sexual abuse by an adult did not tell anyone else about it.
Nearly a quarter of young adults (24.1%) have experienced sexual abuse by an adult or a peer during childhood.

RED FLAGS of human trafficking

RED FLAGS DURING A HOTEL STAY

DO NOT DISTURB sign used constantly
Housekeeping services refused for many days?
Guests on an extended stay with little luggage?
A minor requesting or refusing services?
Adults who loiter in hallways or monitor the area?
Minor with multiple cell phones or electronics?
Minors left in the room for long periods?
Children's items or clothing present, but no child registered
Many guests staying in one room?
Little present in the room during school hours?
Minors left in a room that shows signs of abuse appear helpless, confused, and nervous.
Large amounts of cash, credit card swipes, multiple laptops, pagers, or cell phones?