Rescue Update - Spring 2023
Director of Trauma Therapy
Hi! My name is Rachel Crabtree and I have the honor of serving as our Director of Trauma Therapy here at The WellHouse. I came on staff full-time in December 2021, and previously was a practicum and internship student with The WellHouse. My duties include supervising the therapy department, managing our Stabilization Center, and recently I became responsible for our intake process, including answering our crisis calls and emails.
Between the month of January and the time this report was written, we have received approximately 50 inquiries between the crisis phone and email regarding our services. Of those 50, three women have joined our program at The WellHouse, and I am currently working with approximately five more women to see if our program is a good fit for their needs.
Of the three women accepted…
One was referred to us from Out of Darkness (Frontline Response) in Atlanta, GA. She was forced into the sex industry at 13 and was part of a gang. She had two traffickers that would use her for pornography and prostitution.
One was referred from Inside Out Jail Ministries in Orlando, FL. Her trafficker kept her prostituting in the streets by keeping her addiction active. She was arrested on charges of prostitution, possession, and grand theft auto.
One was referred from the Utah Attorney General’s office. She was identified as a trafficking victim in two cases in Utah. She has been trafficked by her mother who would set up dates and stay in the room with her daughter until the date was over.
Currently, I am seeing a trend with advocates calling on behalf of women who are currently in jail, but are eligible for an alternative sentence. Often, traffickers will force women to engage in criminal activity, such as possessing, distributing, and/or selling drugs, soliciting other women or minors into trafficking, burglary, and prostitution, just to name a few. Fortunately, more advocates and jail officials are recognizing the signs of human trafficking and are able to refer women to our services.
The WellHouse is always willing to help the women with any legal requirements (i.e. probation, parole, drug testing) in order to keep them in good standing with the state they are coming from. We can also help women pay off fines, obtain legal identification, and work with them to get their records expunged!
Managing the crisis line and intake process is quite the balancing act, but is beyond fulfilling when I get to pick up a woman from the airport or meet their advocate in driving distance. Pulling up to The WellHouse property with a new resident feels like the ending of one chapter and the beginning of the next. I love being able to walk alongside these women as they make the conscious decision to take the first of many steps on their restorative journey!