Rescue Update - Summer 2021

Since our last Rescue update, The WellHouse has accepted 10 new residents into our restorative program.

Rescue happens in a number of different ways, but it almost always happens when someone identifies a victim. We share these stories so you can know how to identify a victim and what to do when a victim needs your help.

These are the situations that bring women to The WellHouse where they can safely heal from trafficking…

One resident was from Florida and rescued in Florida. She grew up in an abusive home and was trafficked from a young age. The trafficking continued when she moved out of her home and lived on the streets. She elected to get substance abuse help. In the course of that treatment, her sexual exploitation was recognized. She was placed in a transitional facility to find long term placement for her. The advocate reached out to The Wellhouse, and she was accepted into our program.

One resident was from North Carolina and was rescued in Alabama. Her trafficker brought her to Central North Alabama to further traffic her. She escaped and walked approximately 60 miles until a law enforcement officer picked her up and recognized the signs and symptoms of a trafficking victim. He reached out to a local advocate who contacted The Wellhouse, and she was accepted into our program.

One resident was from Virginia and was rescued in Virginia. She was arrested on drug charges and disclosed to a jail ministry advocate that she had been trafficked. The advocate submitted a rapid referral on National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance website, and The WellHouse Rescue Coordinator responded. An intake was set up with jail staff, and she was accepted into our program.

One resident was from Mississippi and was rescued in Mississippi. She was arrested on drug charges and disclosed to an advocate that she had been trafficked. The advocate contacted the crisis line and she was accepted to The Wellhouse.

One resident was from Missouri and was rescued in Missouri. After she got into a new relationship, she quickly found out that he was abusive. He trafficked her for approximately one year before she overdosed on drugs. While in the hospital, she told staff she was being trafficked, and they got her in touch with a trafficking advocate. The advocate contacted The Wellhouse, and she was accepted.

One resident was from Texas and rescued in Florida. She was trafficked by who she considered her boyfriend. She got away from him while he was in jail, when he got out, he traced her phone. He found her and kidnapped her. While he was in the restroom, she sent an "SOS" text to her mom, and her mom called the police. The police arrested him, and they also arrested her because they felt she was safer in jail. She and her mom agreed. She left jail to go to substance abuse rehab. Her mom sent out a rapid referral on the National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance website. The WellHouse Rescue team responded, did an intake, and accepted her at The Wellhouse.

One resident was from Florida and rescued in Florida. While in jail, she disclosed to a jail ministry that she had been trafficked. The advocate contacted the crisis line, an intake was done, and she was accepted.

One resident was from Alabama and rescued from Alabama. While in jail, she disclosed to jail staff that she had been trafficked. The jail advocate contacted the crisis line, an intake was done, and she was accepted.

One resident was from Mississippi and rescued from Mississippi. While in jail, she disclosed to a jail ministry she had been trafficked. The advocate contacted the crisis line, an intake was done and she was accepted.

One resident is from Missouri. She is scheduled to come in on June 29th. She was hospitalized due to her circumstances. She disclosed to hospital staff she had been trafficked. They reached out to an advocate. The advocate called the WellHouse crisis line, and she was accepted.