Mysterious posters shed light on human trafficking in Charlotte
A few weeks ago, Charlotte Observer reporter Ann Doss Helms snapped the above photo of two posters on the John Belk Freeway ramp underpass along Stonewall Street.
The posters, which have since been removed (I checked yesterday), featured stats about human trafficking in Charlotte and had contact information for two organizations: Transforming Hope Ministries in Durham and Charlotte’s Lily Pad Haven.
Where did the posters come from? It’s a bit of a mystery.
“We don’t know exactly who created the posters,” said Krystin Ryan, a Lily Pad Haven board member. “I would love to know who is doing it because I think the idea is great, so I would love to help them create the best message possible.”
What is human trafficking?
– Human trafficking, according to the Lily Pad Haven website, is “a form of modern-day slavery … the trade of humans, most commonly for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation.”
– According to Ryan, it’s estimated that 2.4 million people are trafficked in the U.S. each year, and it’s a $32 billion-per-year industry.
– Ryan said most of the guests referred to Lily Pad Haven are U.S. citizens.
What does Lily Pad Haven do?
– It offers independent living and support for female survivors of human trafficking to help them transition back into society.
– Lily Pad Haven, which was formed in 2012, currently has three houses with two bedrooms each for a total of six guests at a time.
Stopped at @lilypadhaven‘s #StoptheTraffick event this wk to end human trafficking, PIC of stage & art from survivor: pic.twitter.com/gstyUrjnBJ
— Natalie Pasquarella (@NatalieNews) March 8, 2015
How does it work?
– Guests are referred to Lily Pad Haven through various organizations that work with victims of human trafficking, including law enforcement. Some stay for a short period, some stay for as long as a year.
– The houses are meant to feel like homes. The insides are painted with warm colors and beds have colored sheets — white walls and sheets are reminiscent of hotel rooms. All of the doors have locks so each guest has a private space.
– In addition to housing, Lily Pad Haven offers therapy, helps guests find work, assists them with any court cases they may have and helps guests get a birth certificate or Social Security card.
– Ryan said Lily Pad Haven has helped 21 survivors and their family members, offering more than 2,000 nights of safety.
Is human trafficking a problem in Charlotte?
– In short — yes. N.C. is a top-10 state for human trafficking violations.
Why?
– Charlotte sits at the junction of two major interstates with easy access to seaports.
– There are many farms with migrant workers in the area.
– The city hosts large sporting events and conventions, which leads to an influx of girls brought to the city, according to Ryan.
“Pretty much every time after all of our talks, someone will stop us and say, ‘I had no idea,'” Ryan said.
Tks @JLCharlotte 4 hosting #humantrafficking awareness night & allowing us to be a part of the message w/ @DHSgov pic.twitter.com/15zEZCSwbA — Lily Pad Haven, Inc. (@lilypadhaven) April 16, 2015
Learn more — and find out where the name comes from — by visiting Lily Pad Haven’s website.
Photo by Ann Doss Helms.
Corey Inscoe is editor of CharlotteFive. Follow him on Twitter @CoreyInscoe.
This story was originally published June 1, 2015 at 9:31 PM with the headline "Mysterious posters shed light on human trafficking in Charlotte."