Mission
Resilience Rising combats the commercial sexual exploitation of children and women in the United States by providing residential and mentoring programs with opportunities for safety, healing, and empowerment. For more on our mission, click here.
Need
Sexual exploitation is inherently a system of gender-based inequality and violence, existing at the intersection of sexism, racism, and classism. The sex trade preys upon marginalized populations like homeless youth, foster youth, and sexual minorities as well as vulnerable women - those with histories of sexual abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, mental health conditions, substance use disorders, disabilities, and immigration status. Individuals in the sex trade industry are ongoing targets of physical and sexual violence, resulting in physical and psychological health problems, high morbidity outcomes, and disproportionately high mortality rates. Ongoing research illuminates that the vast majority of those in the sex trade want to leave but lack the options, resources, and agency to safely and successfully exit. For more on commercial sexual exploitation in the United States, click here.
History
In 2017, Resilience Rising opened a residential childcare facility (RCCF) licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services to serve female-identifying survivors of trafficking and exploitation ages 11-21. In 2020, at the height of a global pandemic, Resilience Rising decided to close its residential program in Colorado to relocate to the ocean in California. Simultaneously, we expanded our services to include community-based alumnae mentoring for survivors who have been through our residential program, providing life-long access to social recovery capital, case management, and crisis support. For more on our mentoring program, click here.
Project
Resilience Rising’s adult residential facility (ARF) will serve female-identifying survivors of sexual exploitation, trafficking, and the sex trade. The six-bed facility will provide 24-hour care, supervision, and treatment for young adults ages 18-25 with mental and behavioral health needs. It will be licensed through the California Department of Social Services. For more on our residential program, click here.
Objectives
Using a harm reduction approach and evidence-based interventions, we aim to equip survivors with coping and life skills needed to break intergenerational cycles of abuse and trauma. With an ultimate goal of increasing a client’s social recovery capital, we can reduce the vulnerability and risk factors for recidivism of substance use, homelessness, survival sex, and sexual exploitation. For more on our interventions, click here.
Fight Trafficking
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