Trafficking Hope
Trafficking Hope, also styled TraffickingHOPE, is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 by Lee and Laura Domingue in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The organization was created as a response to the Domingues' experiences working with the A21 Campaign in Greece, and to a 2006 report by Shared Hope International which named Baton Rouge as one of the top cities for human trafficking incidents in the United States. Initially the couple focused on spreading awareness, but gradually built partnerships with other organizations to actively support victims. Trafficking Hope purchased a 32-acre former campground in Livingston Parish in April 2012 and developed the "Hope House" program for victims of trafficking. The facility, which opened in January 2013, provided secure housing along with counseling and vocational training. That facility suffered extensive damage in the August 2016 floods in Southern Louisiana.
Trafficking Hope published the 2011 trafficking-themed novel Caged, by Molly Venzke. Lee Domingue served as an executive producer for the 2015 feature film, "Caged No More" which was based on the book.
Also in 2015, Trafficking Hope relocated their headquarters to the Cahaba Center at Grandview, owned by Church of the Highlands in Birmingham. Lee Domingue took the position of "Legacy Pastor" with the church. Since then, the organization has grown primarily by distributing its "CARES" educational curriculum to local churches and other organizations. In 2017 Trafficking Hope partnered with WellHouse to provide services and transitional housing to victims.
References
- Vowell, Elizabeth (August 15, 2012) "Hope House to be first LA safe house for trafficking victims." WAFB.com
External links
- Trafficking Hope website