Free2Hope Inc.

Free2Hope, Inc. has an excellent reputation for meeting the basic human needs of the vulnerable and victimized women in Louisville, Kentucky. We recognize that a dedicated place for resources to guide people on a path to self-sufficiency is the best way to create real change in individuals and their communities. Free2Hope has designed a number of 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 have a desire to fulfil 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 July 25, 2014.

Free2Hope’s mission involves these goals:

(1) To provide education to the community increasing awareness related to the occurrence of human trafficking and sexual based crimes in Kentucky, the United States, and globally.

(2) To provide programs that equip local businesses and the 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, 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, by means of the threat or use by force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of 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 the purpose of 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:

The action of trafficking which means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons.

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

The purpose of trafficking which 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:

There are an estimated 100,000 children 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 the use of web cameras, stripping, non-commercial sexual exploitation and marriage for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

The Damage

Sexual violence against children is recognized internationally as the most severe violation of their 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 adult (24.1%) experienced sexual abuse, by an adult or by a peer during their childhood.

Human Trafficking in Kentucky

Human Trafficking Happens Here?

Kentucky is a “pass through state” meaning that women or men who are trafficked tend to come from other cities, but come through Kentucky on their way from one point to another. Traffickers prefer to make the victim leave the area they are from to lessen the chance they would run.

Our interstate highway system along with high profile sporting events like the Kentucky Derby have made the state part of the trafficking pipeline.

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 of time?
Children's items or clothing present but no child registered
Many guests staying in one room?
Minor present in the room during school hours?
Minors left in a room that show signs of abuse, appear helpless, confused, and nervous?
Large amounts of cash, credit card swipes, multiple laptops, pagers, or cell phones?