Someplace Safe was recently awarded funding to offer supportive services to community members who are experiencing labor trafficking throughout the agency’s 9 county service area. Someplace Safe labor trafficking services include crisis intervention, safety planning, case management, assisting with housing and emergency resources, connecting with legal and immigration services, and general support.

Anne LaFrinier-Ritchie, Safe Harbor Regional Navigator, stated “Labor trafficking is an issue that impacts people everywhere, including in our own backyard. Labor trafficking can happen in any industry, including massage parlors, traveling sales crews, factories, farms, landscaping, restaurant work, hotels, resorts, etc. Because labor trafficking often includes threats and physical harm, people experiencing labor trafficking are often afraid to come forward. We don’t know how many people are being impacted by labor trafficking in Minnesota, but we do know that by training first responders, health care providers, law enforcement, and other providers, more victims are identified.” LaFrinier-Ritchie continued, “As we provide education on what labor trafficking looks like and how we can help survivors of this crime, we expect to see more individuals coming forward to seek services, safety, and support. Someplace Safe is grateful to have additional funding to provide specialized support to those experiencing labor trafficking.”

For more information on labor trafficking and Someplace Safe’s efforts to support individuals who may be experiencing this, please reach out to Anne LaFrinier-Ritchie at anne.lr@someplacesafe.info.

About Someplace Safe

Someplace Safe is a nonprofit agency offering a myriad of services to victims and survivors of crime, families, and communities in a nine-county region in West Central Minnesota. Nearly 4,000 unduplicated local victims of crime are provided services each year through eleven Advocacy Offices, five Parenting Time Centers, and three Thrift Stores located in Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Wadena, and Wilkin Counties. Someplace Safe works to assist victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and exploitation, sex and labor trafficking, and other crimes (including: stalking, elder abuse, identity theft, robbery, theft, etc.), as they navigate the social, emotional, and economic impacts faced as victims on the path to becoming survivors. Visit www.someplacesafe.info for more information.