National Human Trafficking Awareness Day Activities

In 2007 the U.S. Senate designated January 11 as National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. In 2018, 7859 cases of sex trafficking were reported. Although many do not realize it, sex trafficking occurs everywhere. At Natalie’s Sisters, we deal with sex exploitation and trafficking in Lexington on a daily basis. We urge everyone to educate themselves on the seriousness of this epidemic. Sex trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Minors under the age of 18 engaging in commercial sex are automatically victims of human trafficking, regardless of the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Sex traffickers frequently target victims and then use violence, threats, lies, false promises, debt bondage, or other forms of control and manipulation to keep victims involved in the sex industry for their own profit. Sex trafficking exists within diverse and unique sets of venues and businesses including fake massage businesses, escort services, residential brothels, in public on city streets and in truck stops, strip clubs, hostess clubs, hotels and motels, and elsewhere.

January Events

Saturday, January 11

Curbside Drop-off Tennis Shoe Drive 10am-2pm

Natalie’s Sisters Drop-in Center, 667 N. Limestone

(Women’s only – gently used shoes)

Tuesday, January 14

25% Giveback dinner 5pm-9pm Saul Good Restaurant, 3801 Mall Road Dine out with family/friends – 25% of net proceeds benefit Natalie’s Sisters Ministry (See FB Page to Screenshot flyer needed!)

To request help or report suspected human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text "help" to BeFree (233733).

If you’d like to join the fight against sexual exploitation in Lexington, please check out our webpage at www.nataliessisters.org, follow us on Facebook and watch for information on our next team member training and our “most needed donations” list. Financial donations are tax-deductible and can be made online or sent to Natalie’s Sisters, PO Box 2074, Lexington, KY 40588.

Melinda Guest