Hope for Justice, promoting a meaningful cause to end human trafficking

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - It’s an issue that isn’t new to our area or our country.

Sex Trafficking and Human Trafficking have become known as “modern-day slavery.”

On Sunday an event was held to not only bring awareness to it but to help a local non-profit whose sole mission is to save as many victims as they can and give them a fresh start.

“Hope for Justice” is a local non-profit organization that works to not only prevent the exploitation of victims but also provides jobs and resources to victims after they’ve been rescued.

A private fundraising event was held in Myers Park with donations going towards “Hope for Justice.”

After taking a hard hit during the pandemic the non-profit says the money raised will go towards helping them to continue to rescue victims and get them back on their feet within its several programs.

Staff with Hope for Justice said North Carolina ranks ninth nationally for reports of trafficking.

“Specifically for North Carolina in 2021 there were 223 cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and of those cases, 340 victims were identified in the state of North Carolina. Of those cases the majority of those cases were sex trafficking cases,” said Kayla Leonard, Community Outreach/Training specialist, Hope For Justice.

Kayla Leonard said donations help the organization to continue its rescue efforts and after-care services.

“Help find housing for victims and survivors, it will help with healthcare needs for victims and survivors, help with therapy needs, job training, educational training,” explained Leonard.

Investigator Bill Loucks with Hope for Justice shared that trafficking tends to go hand in hand with drug dealers and cartels, making up for possible drug busts by law enforcement.

“That commodity is now a person. That commodity never has to be re-up. That person is always there. Right now statistically I think the average is between $200,000 and $240,000 a year is what one trafficking victim can bring an actual trafficker,” said Loucks.

For more information on how you can donate or support “Hope For Justice” you can visit their website and learn more on how to help.

Erica Lunsford

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