Christine Mann, executive director at Refuge for Women
Members of the Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch welcomed Executive Director Christine Mann for her presentation on Refuge for Women. Refuge for Women is the nation’s largest nonprofit, faith-based organization that provides a continuum of care for women aged 18 and older who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation.
The North Texas site is one of six locations across the U.S. Refuge for Women offers up to two years of safe housing, at no charge to the resident, with 24-hour-a-day staffing. The program is designed with an evidence-based curriculum, and staff is trained to help residents recognize their goals in life, assist them in reaching those goals, and facilitate healing.
Christine offered some alarming statistics about sex trafficking. A new victim is added every 30 seconds to this crime, which is the most underreported crime in the U.S. She reviewed the most used locations where victims are solicited.
Christine provided insight into how victims are initially groomed and the follow-up steps of creating dependency, controlling the victim, and then the constant threat of violence if the victim attempts to leave the trafficker. This process leads to years of trauma, which requires a program such as Refuge for Women to assist the victims in recovering their lives.
The Kiwanis Club provided a donation to Refuge for Women.
Please see the Refuge for Women North Texas website at refugeforwomen.org/north-texas.