Safe Harbor's new shelter aims to address services gap for underreported trafficking survivors
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A Henrico-based nonprofit is now one of the first in Central Virginia to provide housing for men who've fallen victim to labor trafficking.
Safe Harbor opened the first-of-its-kind shelter in March, though its location was not shared, due to privacy concerns.
Alexandria Wall, Safe Harbor's Director of Human Trafficking Services, said so far, the shelter has housed three male clients.
"Right now, we’ve had anyone from 18 to like about 40 that we’ve been serving. Any age range can be targeted," Wall said.
Labor traffickers often target men living outside of the United States who are seeking employment opportunities. Victims are told they'll be given a job once they arrive, often with a cleaning, farming, or construction service, with housing and transportation provided.
But in most cases, traffickers will take their employees' documentation papers, force them to engage in work with little or no pay, and then threaten their employees if they try to leave.
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