Our Mission
Mission Statement
The purpose of Elevate 61 International is to restore and activate male survivors of human trafficking to positively impact society.
We provide shelter where male survivors of human trafficking can encounter a comprehensive rehabilitation experience. A multi-disciplinary team of professionals are connected and empowered to provide expert therapeutic assistance both individually and within group settings.
The Need
“The most frequently cited global statistics on human trafficking indicate that men and boys represent nearly half of the total number of human trafficking victims. The sex trafficking of boys and men continues to be hidden and under-reported, and there is a severe shortage of programs to meet their needs. Much work remains to ensure men and boys are not overlooked or under-served.”
(US Dept. of State, 2017)
The State Department acknowledges that between 2006 and 2008 the percentage of adult certified male victims of human trafficking jumped from 6% to 45%. A recent study, focusing exclusively on Texas, indicates that there are about 313,000 victims of human trafficking and traffickers exploit approximately $600 million per year from victims.
(Bush-Armendariz, et. al., 2016)
Devastating Consequences of Human Trafficking
Most victims experience a combination of the following symptoms:
· Sleeping and eating disorders,
· Sexually-transmitted diseases,
· HIV/AIDS, pelvic pain, rectal trauma, and urinary difficulties,
· Chronic back, hearing,
· Cardiovascular, or respiratory problems from endless days toiling in dangerous agriculture, sweatshop, or construction conditions,
· Fear and anxiety, Depression and mood changes,
· Drug addiction,
· Guilt and shame,
· Cultural shock from finding themselves in a strange country,
· Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic bonding with the trafficker
(HTS, 2017)
References
Busch-Armendariz, N., Nale, N., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Lellison, B., Torres, M., Heffron, L., &
Nehme, J. (December, 2016). Human trafficking by the numbers: The initial benchmark of prevalence and economic impact for Texas. The University of Texas at Austin Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault - School of Social Work.
HTS (2017). The Human Trafficking Search. Information retrieved from corporate website at:
http://humantraffickingsearch.org/impact/
United States Department of State. (June, 2017). Assisting male survivors of human trafficking. Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. Washington, DC. Report extracted from: https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/fs/2017/272004.htm