“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19
The Bible has a lot to say about slavery and captivity in both the Old Testament and the New Testament that is still relevant today. While oppression looks a little different today, it still permeates across the world. But God is not silent on matters of injustice; in fact, He cares deeply about equality and freedom and wants to restore every human being back to Him. He wants to be united with us, and His heart breaks for those who are bound both physically and spiritually to chains of oppression.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to help those who are treated unjustly and to be stewards of light, speaking up for those who don’t have the ability to do so themselves. Throughout Scripture, it is clear that we are sanctioned to “do justice” and care for the most vulnerable in society. At Dream Center, we are devoted to providing a safe haven where survivors of abuse and human trafficking can enter into a space of restoration, love, healing, and peace.
We may hear the term human trafficking and think that it only happens in developing countries. But that could not be farther from the truth. Human trafficking—or “modern day slavery”— happens right here at home at record high numbers. According to 2020 data from the Human Trafficking Hotline, California has the highest rate of human trafficking reports in the country. And sex trafficking has been reported in all 50 states.
What is Human Trafficking and What Are the Signs?
The Oxford dictionary defines human trafficking as: “the unlawful act of transporting or coercing people in order to benefit from their work or service, typically in the form of forced labor or sexual exploitation.”
Some of the most common signs that someone is being trafficked are:
- Bruises or physical injuries
- Sexualized behavior
- Withdrawal from social circles
- Unexplained shift in behavior
- New obscure tattoo
- Lacking official documents
- Working late hours
- Untreated STDs
These scenarios can leave victims with severe trauma and pain. It takes a village to fight alongside survivors so they can re-enter society with dignity and respect.
As stated in the Psalms, “The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.”
Human Trafficking Rescue at Dream Center
We strive to make the Dream Center a place where survivors can feel like they are entering into a space of refuge and compassion.
Our Women’s Emergency Program staff members have a designated area for women who are escaping human trafficking. Once our program staff identify women who are victims fleeing from human trafficking, the individuals are placed in a secure and private location where they receive all their basic needs. This includes three meals a day, a bed to sleep in, clothing, and more. Furthermore, each survivor meets with our Women’s Emergency Shelter Director to connect them with additional local resources.
Our hardworking staff members collaborate with each female admitted to our shelter in order to connect them with access to long-term housing, psychiatric care, and medical treatment, in the hopes that they go on to pursue a healthy lifestyle as a productive member of society.
Intakes are available Monday through Friday during our business hours. If you know a woman who is in need of this program, please contact the hotline number (877) 632- 7234 or email ht@dreamcenter.org. If it is an emergency, call the Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.