Building Pathways to End Human Trafficking in the Ozarks
The Pathways Project was born after being in the presence of several sex trafficking victims, looking in their faces, and listening to their spoken and unspoken pain.
“You may choose to look the other way but you can never again say you did not know.” - William Wilberforce
Educating to Build Awareness
Raising Awareness of trafficking in our community
Educate professionals and community members on how to identify, treat, and respond appropriately to potential victims of human trafficking
Did you know?
55% of victims met their trafficker on social media or gaming platforms
It takes less than 8 days for a child to leave with their trafficker after initial contact
The average age of entry into sex trafficking is 12
Request a Speaker or Presentation
Collaboration
Community support is at the heart of building awareness so we can fight the fight to help victims. Through community collaboration Pathways works to identify victims, expose traffickers and buyers, and support survivors of human trafficking on their journey toward wholeness.
In our first year, we have accomplished so much!
Our Board of Directors was formed
We received our 501C3 in less than one month after applying
Spoken to numerous groups in Stone and Taney County
Passed out hundreds of education materials at schools & events
Provided victim go-bags to front line workers to be given out as needed
Received 4 grants including a $7500 Skaggs Foundation grant for education
Hosted awareness training for 26 local law enforcement officers
Coordinated a multi-agency sting operation in Stone & Taney county which resulted in multiple predator and trafficker arrests, and several survivors being offered resources and support
Established a 24/7 crisis helpline
Posters are created and will be rolling out soon
Hosted our very first successful fundraiser - Dunk 4 a Cause
Most importantly, relationships are being built to help victims turn into survivors!
Advocacy
We are the helping hand to offer hope and healing for survivors of sex trafficking
Pathways offers crisis intervention for victims immediate needs including safety, food, and shelter.
Pathways offers case management to connect victims to the resources they need for long-term success.
How One Officer Made a Difference!
On October 16th, 2024, Pathways partnered with the Missouri Highway Patrol, Missouri Children's Division, and the Sheriffs Office Human Trafficking Task Force to host a counter-human trafficking training opportunity. Twenty-six local law enforcement from a variety of departments attended this day-long training.
Training works and we are excited to share this success story with you!
Not even two weeks out and Officer "M" who attended the law enforcement training put his training to work!
He rolled up on a scene where something just didn't feel right. There was an older lady with a young girl in the car. After separating them and 30-45 minutes of caring, thoughtful questioning (which he learned at training), she revealed some semblance of truth.
Just barely 18, she escaped from her gorilla trafficker. The older lady she is with is "taking care of her."
Officer "M" reached out to me with 'L's" information and I am working on building some trust with her.
By her comments, we suspect she's being trafficked by this older lady as well.
Officer "M" is so thankful and made this comment "If the training I received only helps me to find this one girl, it was worth it."
We are grateful to our local law enforcement who are on the frontlines. Thank you for your service!
Join us for Branson’s Amazing Race 2025!
Put together your best brains and brawn team of 4 to compete for this years winner!
$500 per team (register before 12/21 for $100 off)
You’ll need brains to solve the clues & brawn to complete the competition
Join The Amazing Branson Race to help us raise awareness & raise funds to end human trafficking in the Ozarks!
Through collaboration, Pathways is uniting community agencies and law enforcement to recover victims and take predators off the street. Our non-profit 501C3 counts on private donors to help us in the fight to find survivors of human trafficking.
Pathways Project Coalition of the Ozarks
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Stone & Taney County 24/7 Helpline
417-501-6726
If you see something, say something! Together we can provide healing, refuge, and hope!
© 2024 Pathways Project Coalition of the Ozarks
