What is Human Trafficking?
“Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons or modern-day slavery, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological. Exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is human trafficking, regardless of whether any form of force, fraud, or coercion was used.“
Human Trafficking is the global problem of our time.
When a child is rescued, that child is likely going home or somewhere that is not equipped to handle the aftermath of the complex trauma that occurs with trafficking. This can lead to a rescued survivor missing school or needed therapy appointments, and ultimately falling through the cracks and failing to thrive.
What’s the Solution?
Our mission at Prism Project is two-fold; Prevention Education on the front-end and long-term restorative services on the back-end.
National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888
For minors please contact your local police and your state’s children protective services agency
If you are a referring agency and are in need of our services please email us at info@prismprojectmi.org to request a referral application.
What does our
Safehouse Program look like?
Prism Project safehouse program is a long term safe house in Michigan where child survivors of human trafficking will have the opportunity to heal and find their identity. This safe house serves girls ages 12-17 with trauma-informed, victim-centered care anywhere from 6 months to 2 years depending their individual plan of care. The circle of care includes Medical, Educational, Therapy, Spiritual, and Life Skills all in one place.
The heart of Prism Project is to provide a safe place where child survivors of human trafficking can come to heal from this complex trauma, on their time, with a loving team of professionally trained care providers. Our referral process includes gathering all important documentation and is then reviewed by our care team to determine whether our program best fits the plan of care for the child.
What will it look like for a child at our safehouse program?
In addition to housing and food, they will receive 24/7 care from a fully trained, trauma-informed, Direct Care Coaching staff. Life Skills will be woven into their daily living as they learn abilities to deal effectively with the challenges and needs of everyday life, building healthy relationship and decision making skills. They will continue their Education with state approved curriculum with education specialists onsite to support and assist them each day. Therapy, being an essential piece of their healing journey, children will participate in weekly individual and group therapy. Children will be provided their Medical Care starting with their initial medical exam upon arrival, continuation of their medication management with their respective doctors, and 24hr access to on-staff nursing services. Spiritual Care is also tailored to each child’s needs and includes investing time with people important to them, spending time in nature and on hobbies, and supporting their religious customs and coordinating times for prayer and religious services. This program is the first of its kind in Michigan, providing full wrap around restorative services all in one safe place so that child survivors can come to heal from the complex trauma of trafficking and heal on their time.
Where are we Now?
OUR DOORS ARE OPEN! As of December 2022 we officially received our Child Caring Institution Licensure. This is the first of its kind here in the State of Michigan and so this process has come with much pioneering and perseverance. We are grateful and excited to provide wrap-around services to child survivors of sex trafficking and the extensive community and partnerships that have come together to see this mission come to fruition.
Please contact us for Prevention Education engagements for your business, school, or organization. If you or your organization would like to come alongside in serving child survivors of sex trafficking, we have a variety of ways that community partners can support the mission and restorative program. There is much work still to be done to eradicate sex trafficking. Please contact us for more information.