LEXINGTON, Ky. — January marks human trafficking prevention month across the country and groups in Lexington are spreading awareness of the issue.
For over two decades, Natalie’s Sisters has been a refuge for women experiencing sexual exploitation.
“People need to be aware of it. It happens all over the city as well as in every hotel,” said Executive Director Jani Lewis.
Several racks of coats and bins of scarves, gloves, hats and more were collected ahead of the winter. (Spectrum News 1/Sabriel Metcalf)
The center focuses on connecting individuals to critical community resources like housing, consistent food and meals, as well as substance abuse and mental health services.
Since tracking began in 2016, Natalie’s Sisters has supported over 1,000 women in and around Lexington with some who continue to share their stories of triumph today.
“We have several who have gone through and got their peer-community specialist certification and so they come back and talk to some of our girls, and they’re also working at some of our local partners so that they can go to the women who go to those agencies or those residential facilities and let them know, they were where they are,” Lewis said.
Lewis says those experiencing situations like being unsheltered can be more at risk. “Our folks who have a lack of income, if they’re nearly homeless, if they’re dealing with substance abuse or any other kind of factors like that, are particularly susceptible to being exploited in Kentucky. Familial trafficking is actually the highest form of trafficking that occurs,” she explained.
They have partnered with DV8 kitchen and individuals can donate new or gently used shoes to one of the bins in the restaurant.
All year round, the center collects personal care items like toiletry kits, clothing and nonperishable snacks for their pantry and closet.
If someone is experiencing events of human trafficking, the Lexington Police Department says they will help victims and their families. Other resources include the National Human Trafficking Hotline.