Every year, thousands of boys and young men fall victim to the country's flourishing sex trade. A lot of them are vulnerable to traffickers and sex buyers because of homelessness and poverty.
Runaways and missing youth in Illinois face a high risk of exploitation, mainly because of involvement in multiple systems and insufficient support. The intersection of these various systems often exposes these individuals to danger, leading to a lack of essential protection.
Tragically, most programs and services have been designed with a female-centric approach, leaving our male counterparts in the shadows, their voices unheard and their needs unmet.
While the exploitation of girls and women has been the primary focus of public awareness and support efforts, the harsh reality is that boys and male teens are just as vulnerable, if not more so, to this devastating crime.
It is imperative to address these high-risk factors, raise awareness, and implement targeted interventions to protect boys from exploitation and provide them with the necessary support for recovery and empowerment.
God's Protection: Understanding, Resilience, Guidance, and Nurturing 4 our Sons❤️🩹❣️
🌟 Join Us in Making a Difference in Protecting our SONS of CSE❤️🩹❣️
Resources for Youth Impacted by Human Trafficking
Illinois-Based Organizations and Services:
Hotlines and Reporting
National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) (Text “Help or Info” to 233733)
- 24/7 hotline for reporting suspected human trafficking and accessing support services.
- 7 days a week in more than 200 languages.
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Hotline (1-800-252-2873)
- Hotline for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect, including human trafficking.
1. Comprehensive Support Services
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) - Human Trafficking Unit
(https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/Pages/default.aspx)
- Provides case management, crisis intervention, and referrals to essential services.
Salvation Army STOP-IT Program
(https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/metro/stop-it/)
- Offers comprehensive case management, legal assistance, housing, and counseling.
Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE)]
(https://caase.org/)
- Provides direct services, advocacy, and community engagement to address human trafficking.
2. Legal Assistance
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS)]
(https://www.cvls.org/)
- Offers pro bono legal representation and assistance for victims of human trafficking.
Illinois Legal Aid Online
(https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/)
- Provides information and resources on legal rights and options for victims of human trafficking.
3. Counseling and Therapy
Resilience (formerly Rape Victim Advocates)]
(https://www.ourresilience.org/)
- Offers trauma-informed individual and group counseling for survivors of human trafficking.
Heartland Alliance
(https://www.heartlandalliance.org/)
- Provides mental health services, including counseling, for individuals affected by human trafficking.
4. Housing and Shelter
Naomi's House
(https://naomishouse.org/)
- Offers transitional and permanent housing, as well as support services, for survivors of human trafficking.
Morada Home
(https://www.moradahome.org/)
- Provides emergency and long-term housing, along with case management, for victims of human trafficking.
5. Educational and Vocational Support
Dreamcatcher Foundation
(https://www.dreamcatcherfoundation.org/)
- Offers educational, job training, and employment assistance programs for survivors of human trafficking.
Marjorie Kovler Center
(https://www.kovlercenter.org/)
- Provides educational, vocational, and financial literacy programs for individuals affected by human trafficking.
More Information.....