Chicago area shelter provides a safe haven for women escaping trafficking, sexual exploitation
On Refuge for Women’s homepage, a graduate is quoted: ““Having a chance to be in a safe place to heal means somebody thought I was worth it, even though I dared not believe I was.”
Refuge for Women is a non-profit, faith based organization that provides emergency and long-term housing to women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation. The Chicagoland area program home, in an undisclosed location in the McHenry County area, opened in 2016 and is one of 11 program homes across the U.S. operated by Refuge for Women.
Mary Blasko, a resident of Huntley, volunteers for Refuge for Women Chicago. She says the organization is so effective because the two-year program takes the time for three phases: Healing, Life Skills and Employment, and optional Aftercare and Employment.
Informational sessions in November
Two free presentations are available at no cost for the community. Blasko especially urges parents of kids 6th grade through high school to attend, as a starting point for a dialogue with their entire family about human trafficking.
Human Trafficking presentation
Friday, Nov. 5
6:30 p.m.
St. Mary Church Community Center
10307 Dundee Rd
Huntley
Presented by: Karen Schultz, National and Local Staff At Large, Refuge for Women; and Pat Kenneally, McHenry County State’s Attorney. Schultz will present on Refuge for Women’s long-term care program; Keneally will speak about the state’s work in prosecuting sex trafficking cases.
Thursday, Nov. 11
6:30
Holy Cross Church
Community Center
2300 Main St.
Batavia
Presented by Karen Schultz, National and Local Staff At Large, Refuge for Women; and Jamie Mosser, Kane County State’s Attorney
For more information: refugeforwomen.org/
“Some of the women have never learned to cook, clean house, or anything, Blasko says. “They’ve only known one thing.” With the help from Refuge for Women, she says the women learn to sustain and take care of themselves. They go back and get their high school diploma. Some go on to get jobs; others have gone on to college. “It’s a step-by-step process until they’re on their own,” she says. “Even then, they know they always have a place they can come back to.”
‘Insidious’
It’s estimated that up to 25,000 women and girls are sexually exploited and trafficked in the Chicago area every year.
Many of the young women who end up at the Refuge safe house have been referred by social services or law enforcement. “So many of them have very little respect for themselves,” says Blasko. “They’ve been so abused and brainwashed, they don’t think they’re worth it.”
Sex trafficking is a $10 billion industry in the U.S., and offenders In fact, 80% of victims end up back on the street when there is no safe recovery home available.
“Traffickers groom their prey, and they take their time,” says Blasko. “Girls are made to be dependent; they believe in their traffickers before they know they’re being trafficked. It’s insidious,” she says.
“But then they find out they are worth something. Many of the women who ‘graduate’ from the safe house are leading wonderful lives—but not without struggle. There’s no doubt about that.”
The hope that Refuge for Women brings to young victims is what keeps Blasko involved with the organization. Recently, while passing out flyers, a woman asked to see the information; she held the flyer, and Blasko watched her eyes fill up with tears.
“I think you’re the answer to my prayers,” the woman told Blasko.
“Doing this work is such a passion for me now,” says Blasko. When I found Refuge for Women, I felt like I found a home for my volunteering work.”
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