Developing a Program for Trafficked Children
I came to the WellHouse in 2019 after encountering minor victims of trafficking while investigating a sexual abuse case. I knew the young ladies from my time as a school resource officer, so listening to their forensic interview brought this tragedy close to home. After the interview, the reality that our state lacked resources specific to provide these minor victims was apparent. I searched but could not find help for these young ladies whose families do not have the financial resources to provide trauma therapy.
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Changed Life, Changed Heart: My Journey from Grad School to The WellHouse
My name is Haley Hawkins, and I'm interning at The WellHouse. The WellHouse is a powerful place. The reality of trafficking became less distant the day I found out about the WellHouse. But, the day I arrived here for the first time, that reality consumed me. This is the story of my journey from grad school to The WellHouse...
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The WellHouse Prayer Ministry
We believe in the might and power of prayer to fight trafficking and rip victims from the hands of Satan. Read on to learn more about our prayer ministry from COO Debby Haralson.
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A Bird Set Free - A Poem by Haylee Dortch
My name is Haylee Dortch, a recent graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I’m now a full-time case manager at the WellHouse! I went into social work wondering which population would call to me. It wasn’t long at all before God called me into this amazing community of hard-working clinicians and inspiring survivors.
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A Beautiful Transformation
My favorite part of working as a Home Coordinator at The WellHouse is watching the transformation God performs on each one of these women. I have the opportunity to witness first-hand the power of God, and how He performs miracles and heals each one of these women, mentally, physically, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually!
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A Safe Place to Sleep
I will never forget one of my first interactions at The WellHouse. It was my job to interview a woman who had recently joined our program. My first question: Where did you live before coming to The WellHouse?
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Our God, The Heart Changer
My journey with The WellHouse began four years ago, and as I reflect on that journey, God’s perfect plan is obvious. Four years ago, our family received the news that our son was in end stage heart failure. To survive he would need a LVAD, a ventricular assist device that would pump his heart until a donor heart was available. Before surgeons will perform this surgery, they must have the committed support of a caregiver, someone who promises to be with the patient 24/7 should the device malfunction and require intervention.
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The Devastating Reality of Sex Tourism and How to Fight It
Sex tourism is when people travel to engage in sexual activity, specifically with a prostitute. What these tourists do not realize, is that these “prostitutes” are more often than not, victims of human trafficking.
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How Attunement Can Change a Survivor
For most people, attunement is expected in every day conversation, but for the trafficking survivor, someone who has never been fully noticed, heard, and loved before, someone who has been neglected and abused, attunement is healing.
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Survivor Story: Amy
Amy's story began when she was 14 years old. Amy went to the drug supplier's house, where she was then held captive for seven months. She was sex-trafficked during her captivity. By a highly organized criminal organization from Mexico.
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There is No Such Thing as a Child Prostitute
In the last few months, countless news articles have circulated regarding sexually exploitative acts allegedly made by prominent men like Jeffrey Epstein and R. Kelly. In those articles, the victims have mistakenly been referred to as “child prostitutes.”
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A Stream of Light in the Darkness
When we think about the statistics and the stories that surround human trafficking, we can easily feel overwhelmed by the darkness. Make no mistake, it is grim. But just for today, I would like to share a special stream of light I saw recently.
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Prostitution is Not a Career
I’ve heard many people say that prostitution isn’t a “career” choice. What I’ve come to learn is that prostitution is not a career at all. For most survivors, prostitution is seldom a choice. And even when it is, there is a history of sexual abuse, sexual brokenness, and complex trauma that leads the person to make that unfortunate choice.
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