Deborah’s Gate is a national, specialized program of care serving international and domestic women age 18 and up who have been trafficked into situations of sexual and/or labour exploitation, and are in need of protective and restorative housing and healing*. Deborah’s Gate is located in a confidential and secure location providing maximum security measures for those facing high level safety risks. Since inception, over 100 survivors of human trafficking have accessed rehabilitation and healing through Deborah’s Gate. The program is named after Deborah, the first female, Hebrew judge in 1100 BC who, in a time of great oppression and violence against women and children, led the Hebrew people into a season of victory and peace. The word “gate” represents safety and passage into a new place, which our program aims to provide for victims of human trafficking. The impacts of trafficking on a human life is devastating, but Deborah’s Gate aims to change the script of the story.
Deborah’s Gate exists as a safe and restorative environment that fosters psychosocial healing for survivors of human trafficking and exploitation. In addition to long-term housing, residents are provided access to emotional, physical, social, psychological, and spiritual support according to their needs such that they are given every opportunity to recover from the devastating effects of the trauma they have experienced. Rehabilitation is a journey and a process that takes time and wrap around, individualized, culturally sensitive support.
Human trafficking in massage parlors is the second most common type of trafficking reported to the US National Human Trafficking Hotline. Learn the signs of massage parlor trafficking and what to do if you see those signs.
Prostitution flourished especially after the abolishment of slavery in 1905 as former slave wives under the feudal system found themselves alone and without financial support.
