RISE Program at our Hope for Justice North Carolina Regional Center

Human trafficking is a $236 billion industry and it truly is a form of modern-day slavery, with an estimated 27.6 million people affected globally by forced labor and sex trafficking, plus another 22 million people in forced marriages. It is thought there are more than 1 million people in the United States who have been trafficked for labor or sex exploitation and are living in fear.

With major highways throughout the state, increased gang activity, and a large agriculture base, North Carolina consistently ranks in the top 10 states with the most reported human trafficking cases. The transportation aspect is particularly important because many human traffickers move their victims on public transit. One research survey by our colleagues at Polaris showed that 42% of victims nationwide reported that at least part of their journey was on a local or intercity bus.

More than 2,000 human trafficking cases involving nearly 5,900 people were reported between 2007 and 2021 in North Carolina through the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Since human trafficking is a crime that often goes unreported, the true number of cases is likely much higher.

Hope for Justice Regional Centers provide a comprehensive, end-to-end strategy that will decrease and eventually eradicate human trafficking in the United States. We hope to eventually create a network of Regional Centers throughout the U.S. that will expand our reach, deepen our impact, and create resilient communities where survivors of human trafficking can thrive.

We are providing a holistic, trauma-informed approach to bring hope and justice to survivors of human trafficking in North Carolina. We are calling this newest part of our model the RISE Program (Restore, Inspire, Strengthen, and Empower): an integrated suite of services that contributes to the sustainable improvement of the wellbeing, safety, and self-sufficiency of survivors through trauma-informed care and support, community engagement, and comprehensive case management.

After its first full year in operation, our RISE Program is proving hugely beneficial for survivors of trafficking. During 2023-24, Hope for Justice provided 28 clients with short-term or long-term services under this new model.

Short-term care is all about meeting a survivor’s immediate and emergency needs over the course of up to 60 days, and often helping them to access a longer-term residential program.

Long-term care under RISE is community-based, helping a survivor over the course of a year, plus follow-up services. We prioritize their rights, safety, wellbeing, needs and wishes in a trauma-informed way, using evidence-based and well- credentialed treatment plans. A Hope for Justice case manager and clinical therapist meet regularly with the client throughout the program, usually somewhere between 50 and 100 times, meaning a strong bond of trust can be formed. Our role is to support them throughout their recovery, while still fostering independence as much as possible.

The RISE Program serves adult survivors of sexual or labor exploitation, regardless of gender or immigration status, if they are resident in Charlotte or specified surrounding counties. Our team also does proactive outreach in the most at-risk areas and communities and via participatory events.

This is all delivered by a team of experts:

-Investigators: With years of law enforcement experience, Hope for Justice investigators determine if a case meets the definition required by law to charge someone with the human trafficking statute. Investigators help identify victims, gather intelligence about suspected traffickers, and share that information with law enforcement to aid in victim identification and removal from exploitation.

-Trainers: Our experienced trainers equip frontline professionals, targeting industries that intersect with trafficking victims. We equip attendees with the knowledge, skills and tools to identify modern slavery themselves and respond effectively.

-Case Managers: With a community-based approach to aftercare, we help survivors of trafficking rebuild their lives by providing tailored case management for each survivor and connecting them to services in the local community. We walk alongside them each step of the way, advocating on their behalf and guiding them through the social services and legal systems.

-Clinical Therapists: Developing a care plan that in unique for each survivor, our counselling services allow for different forms of therapy to meet individual needs which positions them for success and healing.

-Sector Experts: With years of experience working with human trafficking on a global scale, Hope for Justice Regional Center leaders bring a unique perspective, applying their broad knowledge to a local context, addressing policies, and catalyzing change.

Residents of the following North Carolina counties:

RISE is a community-based program – we do not provide housing. We can help with resources for housing. All of our services are free of charge. Clients can revoke program participation at any time.

Ready to RISE? Call our office on 704-323-6322 (this is not a hotline number). Office hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. We will ask you a few questions about your experiences. If you meet screening qualifications, our clinical lead will follow up with information about setting up an intake appointment.

To learn more about how you can request a trainer, speaker, investigative services, aftercare services, or prevention and awareness materials, email: info.us@hopeforjustice.org

Follow Hope for Justice North Carolina on social media: Instagram @hopeforjusticeNC or Twitter/X @hfj_nc

(Lily Pad Haven Inc is now part of the Hope for Justice family and is known as the Hope for Justice North Carolina Regional Center.)

This Program is supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a part of a financial assistance award as well as funded by other non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACF/HHS, or the U.S. Government