A new documentary, A Way Out, is highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat child trafficking in the United States through the experiences of survivors, advocates, and leaders working to provide pathways to safety and recovery.
The film follows the work of Safe House Project, an organization focused on expanding access to safe housing and support services for survivors of human trafficking. The documentary explores the challenges of identifying victims while highlighting the programs and partnerships working to provide assistance when survivors seek help.
Safe House Project states that hundreds of thousands of children are trafficked in the United States each year, while only a small percentage are identified. The organization’s work centers on helping ensure survivors have access to safe environments, resources, and long-term support as they begin the recovery process.
Founded in 2017, Safe House Project works to support the development of safe housing programs for trafficking survivors and provide resources designed to help individuals rebuild their lives.
According to the organization, it has served more than 6,800 trafficking survivors, trained more than 510,000 people to identify and report trafficking, and helped add 624 new spaces within safe house programs across the country. Those spaces provide an estimated 227,760 safe nights for survivors each year.
A Way Out focuses on the people involved in that work, including survivors who share their experiences, advocates supporting recovery efforts, and leaders building programs to address the needs of trafficking victims.
The documentary features Safe House Project CEO Kristi Wells, COO Brittany Dunn, Alia Azariah, Lora Trent, and a group of survivors, experts, and advocates involved in the fight against human trafficking.
Rather than focusing solely on the scale of trafficking, the film examines the response efforts underway to increase awareness, strengthen survivor support systems, and help communities recognize opportunities to intervene.
