January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and OneEighty's dedication to serving survivors of sexual assault and abuse includes survivors of human trafficking.
The work of the nonprofit, which in 2024 celebrated 50 years of supporting substance use and mental health recovery, as well as providing support services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Wayne and Holmes counties, centers around meeting survivors where they are and addressing their immediate and long-term needs. It also includes advocacy and raising awareness in and around local communities.
Gayle Byrne is a response specialist and victim advocate with OneEighty.
“Human trafficking is a horrific crime that tears at the fabric of our society,” Byrne said. “It’s not a distant issue confined to other countries; it’s happening in our own communities. Millions of people are currently forced to endure unimaginable exploitation.
“According to the Polaris Project, a leading nonprofit organization fighting human trafficking, an estimated 28 million individuals are currently being trafficked worldwide. These victims are subjected to forced labor, sexual exploitation or both, with devastating consequences for their physical and mental well-being.”
