Local organizations working against sex trafficking are establishing the state’s biggest barriers to fighting the crime. Multiple victim advocates met at a round table discussion in Sioux Falls Thursday hosted by Congresswoman Kristi Noem.
South Dakota outreach groups see a majority of women, but they also help men who are surviving sex trafficking. Some work more with Native women. Others try to help immigrants or young people. But each person at the table agrees that one of the biggest challenges they face is finding a place for victims to go after they initially escape trafficking.
Susan Omanson with the faith-based organization Be Free says many of those survivors have criminal records, which can prevent them from finding affordable housing.
"There needs to be long-term transitional housing available so that these women can have the support services they need to really heal," Omanson says. "There needs to be restoration. There needs to be opportunities to go to school, to get a job, to get all of the counseling, everything that they need. You can’t do that in a short-term shelter."
Omanson says providing long-term housing options supports a survivor’s whole family. She says many women coerced into selling sex have children, and some of those will turn back to the sex trade if they can’t find security for their families.
