Virginia organization speaks on National Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month and there are local experts who work directly with Virginia’s survivors right here in our area. The Lampstand is a faith-based ministry and Virginia’s only safehome for children who have experienced human trafficking and exploitation. The Lampstand has a safehome for girls ages 12 to 17 located in the Roanoke Valley. The mission is to empower the lives of those vulnerable to, and affected by, sexual exploitation. For survivors who do not fit the criteria for the safehome, The Lampstand offers wraparound services. Addressing survivors’ needs is complex because the trauma and barriers they face are complex. Once a victim leaves an exploiter, the journey of freedom and healing has just begun. Many survivors exit trafficking with educational challenges, debt from traffickers, and a lack of support, opportunities, and housing. The interpersonal, prolonged trauma of sex trafficking also leaves survivors with an array of emotional barriers, like lack of trust, total reliance on their traffickers, hopelessness, shame, stigma, and fear. The Lampstand has partnered with law enforcement, service providers, and medical professionals to provide trauma-informed, person-centered support to those who have been affected by sexual exploitation and trafficking. Every victim and survivor deserves access to services and to be treated with dignity and respect, say organizers. The Lampstand offers food, clothing. counseling, transportations, case management, life skills, educational development, access to mental health and chemical dependency services, etc. Signs of human trafficking, especially in children, can include, but are not limited to, chronic running away, disinterest in once-loved activities/hobbies, evidence of physical abuse, hotel keys, more than one cell phone, older love interests, and being secretive about activity online or who they are dating. To volunteer with The Lampstand contact info@. The Lampstand is hiring. For job opportunities visit *Original air date: 1/4/2024