Gracehaven was founded to care for the growing number of victims of domestic minor sex trafficking. More than 1,000 minors are sexually trafficked in Ohio annually. To effectively care for victims and prevent others from being enslaved in this life, Gracehaven employs a comprehensive approach to combating domestic minor sex trafficking:
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
Foundational to the success of Gracehaven's outreach is community collaboration. Partnering with community organizations, state and local governments, the court system, and law enforcement provides the greatest prevention impact and the highest level of care and support to children who have been trafficked. Key partners include the Central Ohio Rescue and Restore Coalition, The Salvation Army, the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force among many others.
PREVENTION EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
Teenagers who are at the most risk for domestic minor sex trafficking often have no concept of its reality. Their peers are often unaware of the risk to the teens around them. We provide strategic presentations in the schools and other venues to educate youths and adults about sex trafficking. Presentations designed to raise awareness of the problem of trafficking are available for churches and other community groups as well.
INTERVENTION TRAINING
Gracehaven trains professionals who may encounter victims of domestic minor sex trafficking on how to recognize and help them. Social workers, foster parents, healthcare professionals, teachers, parole officers, and first responders are just a fewof the groups who receive this training.
SURVIVOR CARE AND SUPPORT
Gracehaven provides comprehensive trauma informed case management to current victims and a variety of group therapies for at-risk populations through partnerships with organizations such as Columbus City Schools, Huck House, YWCA, and the Franklinton County Juvenile Detention Center. In August 2015, Gracehaven also opened a licensed therapeutic residential facility solely for minors who are victims of sex trafficking.