New safe house will open next month in Denver to survivors of human trafficking

by | Jan 26, 2025

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View the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/safe-house-open-next-month-032910158.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABU6dNtxIrBDDnklwQabKEVCEaGgaPenqwgpwukOzvUtk3UbiGa4EKtQw2YGNHzgNgvQ1Jf3VG967-_GBdk3XXewHRqXS3zRDUKEfRoXjlsyWNe-8Vws5OPJs58-lPZRpnUPFv2lMvHdQaEosiEK-IXhJoh_r2mmlBaece7ThlDK&guccounter=2

DENVER (KDVR) — January is human trafficking awareness month and a new safe house in the Denver metro area will soon open its doors to help women who have survived being trafficked.

The safe house is operated by HER Campaign. Organizers say they plan to open the doors on Feb. 3. FOX31 won’t identify the exact location of the home to protect the privacy of the 12 women who will live there.

“There’s boxes everywhere right now. We’ve got all the main pieces set and ready to go,” said Sammy Higgs.

Higgs, the founder and executive director of HER Campaign, said that his mission is to help provide residential programs for survivors of human trafficking.

“There’s a continuum of care for survivors in their healing process,” said Higgs. “We’re that first step, the emergency stabilization. Trauma is a big deal.”

HER Campaign is working with two other Denver-based nonprofits to fill a big gap. According to the Common Sense Institute Colorado, in 2023 the state had the nation’s highest number of human trafficking cases reported with a total of 84.

“In the United States there’s only an estimated 1,600 beds,” said Higgs.”It doesn’t scratch the surface. There’s an estimated 27.6 million victims worldwide.”

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Every detail of the safe house is thought out — from the spacious windows to the trauma-informed artwork hanging on the walls.

“Each room has two beds they’re very nice,” said Higgs. “We take privacy seriously. So, there’s a privacy wall and each room has their own bathroom.”

The goal is to focus on short-term stabilization and healing. Up to 12 women can live at the house for eight weeks until they make their next step.

“Every person matters every person has a story. When we receive someone into our care it’s very important to us to treat them as a person,” said Higgs. “The reason why we’re called the HER campaign is because we really want to focus on her. The person in front of us right now and their story and their unique needs.

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Campuswide, the three organizations will be able to serve up to 20 women at a time. That also includes pregnant women and some with small children.

If you are anyone you know is dealing with human trafficking you can call the 24/7 national hotline at 888-373-7888.


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