Human Sex Trafficking | Programs | Survivor Stories | FAQ | Awards
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Journey Out recognizes that change is difficult and fraught with many dangers for those who are being sexually exploited. Each of our locations provide a safe place to discuss all of the issues related to exiting a life of abuse, violence, poverty, and insecurity. We also discuss common challenges, how to remain safe while in transition, and ways to move forward from the experience and thrive.
The Journey Out Empowerment Program offers assistance to individuals seeking a way out of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Clients participate in survivor-led empowerment groups that focus on getting out of the life. At Journey Out, staff members meet clients “where they are,” utilizing best practice theories and intervention modalities of harm-reduction, trauma-informed treatment and the stages of change.
Our clients need more than empowerment groups to exit a life of slavery and exploitation; they need support services. In response to those needs, we offer intensive case management – linking clients to essential resources, survivor mentorship – giving peer-to-peer support and counseling, individual therapy and crisis counseling, HIV education, medical and vocational referrals, and meeting basic needs by providing food, clothing, hygiene products and condoms.
Journey Out collaborates with Dignity Health on the Medical Safe Haven Program at the Northridge Family Medical Clinic. The Medical Safe Haven provides full spectrum victim-centered trauma-informed primary medical care for victims of human trafficking.
Journey Out recognizes that medical care given by Health Care Professionals who are knowledgeable in the effects that human trafficking takes on the physical and emotional well being of victims is of utmost importance for their recovery from trauma and abuse.
A Journey Out Case Manager is the Patient Advocate at the Medical Safe Haven Northridge Family Medical Clinic. The position is shared, and the Advocate works half time at both Journey Out and at the Dignity Health Northridge Clinic. The Patient Advocate walks clients through care as an advocate and navigator to ensure their care plan is in process and the client achieves their health goals within the clinic setting. The position also provides case management and links clients to services with Journey Out and to services within the broader community, ensuring clients’ needs are met. The Medical Safe Haven focuses on providing a trauma-informed care environment for both sex and labor victims of human trafficking.
The Journey Out Crisis Response Team provides victims with crisis intervention, case management, survivor mentorship and wraparound services during and after their law enforcement aided rescue from sex trafficking. Services are focused on ensuring safety and providing basic needs: securing safe housing/shelter or arranging travel back to their home state if needed, providing basic necessities and access to an array of services to enable a way out of sex trafficking.
In addition to their work providing safety and advocacy to those who have been rescued by law enforcement, our crisis response team handles emergencies that arise after regular business hours. Their services range from arranging emergency housing, family reunification services (coordinating travel, lodging, medical care, and other needs) for victims out of state, to crisis counseling and any other after hours support that clients need.
Journey Out partners with Dignity Health to provide a Survivor Advocate to respond to hospital-based crisis response calls. The program started in the four Dignity Health hospitals within Los Angeles: Glendale Memorial, California Medical, St. Mary’s Long Beach, and Northridge, but now services hospitals throughout the Los Angeles Metro area. At the heart of it, the Survivor Advocate assists and guides victims of human trafficking from their moment of crisis at the hospital into the process of stabilization and social reintegration by providing culturally sensitive trauma-informed care.
The Journey Out Survivor Advocate provides immediate crisis response and advocacy at the Hospital, and also connects victims with Journey Out’s wrap-around services; including emergency and transitional housing, transportation assistance, court accompaniment and advocacy, connections to legal services, provision of basic need supplies, and more.
Additionally, the Survivor Advocate trains clinicians at hospitals throughout Los Angeles, on best practices for identifying possible trafficking victims; as well as Human Trafficking 101 training. The advocate also participates in local community building, educational and awareness events, which focus on youth and other diverse and vulnerable groups.
Journey Out provides prevention information to children who are at risk of being victimized by human sex trafficking. We provide vital information on social media and how traffickers take advantage of vulnerable children utilizing apps such as Instagram, Tik Toc and others. This important information can save a child from the horrors of sex trafficking and a long recovery process that can sometimes take a lifetime.
Journey Out also provides this important information to parents, schools, and other social service providers through workshops and trainings.
Committed to serving victims where they are, Journey Out staff provide those who are on the prostitution tracks of Los Angeles with make up bags full of basic needs items, snacks, and information about our services. In addition to our contact information, we include resources for emergency shelters both within and outside of the state of California. Inside every outreach bag is a lipstick with our phone number. The label is discreet and easy to conceal from pimps and traffickers but also gives victims a lifeline.
Journey Out provides education to the public about issues of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, as well as specialized training for law enforcement and social service providers. We educate healthcare providers, legislators, businesses, religious institutions, transit and travel industry professionals, students, and the general community through workshops and forums around the country.
Educating the public is an important aspect of prevention, intervention, and a holistic approach to address human trafficking at every level of recruitment, victimization, and recovery.