The Cost of Freedom: Why Safe Places for Women Exists
“Six years ago, my life was haunting – full of despair, exploitation, and pain. I believed there was no way out.”
– Amanda, survivor
Amanda’s story is heartbreaking, but tragically not uncommon. For nearly a decade, she lived under the control of traffickers who used her for commercial sex against her will. Her every move was dictated – when she could sleep, what she could eat, and who her body belonged to. Each day was a battleground of survival.
Today, Amanda wakes up to a different kind of morning. She sips coffee, gets her child ready for school, and walks out her front door with dignity, stepping into the same world as her neighbors. Not as a victim, but as a woman reclaiming her story.
This transformation did not happen by accident. It happened because she finally found a safe place.
Human Trafficking: A National Crisis, a Local Reality
Sex trafficking is a hidden epidemic in the United States, affecting an estimated 403,000 people annually. In Colorado alone, 15,000 women are trafficked each year, and nearly all of them are homeless at the time of recovery. Most never get the chance to escape. Only 1% of survivors are identified.
Behind every statistic is a woman, many of whom were first exploited as children, often experiencing addiction, homelessness, untreated mental illness, and chronic trauma. Without a safe place to go and a continuum of care, 80% of survivors are re-victimized, cycling through exploitation, incarceration, and despair.
The Role of Safe Places for Women
Founded in 2023 to meet a critical gap in survivor care, Safe Places for Women (SPFW) is a Christ-centered nonprofit offering long-term housing, targeted support services, and individualized care for women who have survived sex trafficking. What makes SPFW different is our belief that rescue is only the beginning. Healing takes time. Freedom is a journey. And no one should have to walk that journey alone.
We offer more than just a roof over someone’s head. Our holistic, trauma-informed services include:
Safe and stable housing
Trauma-informed clinical therapy and mental health care
Addiction and recovery support
Peer support and mentoring
Legal advocacy and identity restoration
Medicaid enrollment and health services
GED, vocational training, and higher education access
Job readiness and employment placement
Spiritual discipleship and pastoral care
Each woman in our care receives a personalized case plan created in collaboration with trained professionals, reflecting her unique goals. Whether it’s finishing school, reuniting with her children, or starting a career, the aim is not just recovery, but lasting independence and restoration.
The Reality in Colorado
Colorado ranks 25th in the nation for comprehensive trafficking services, despite having one of the highest numbers of human trafficking reports in the U.S. The need is urgent and growing:
Hotline calls increased by 30% in the last year
100% of survivors are homeless at the time of rescue
85% of survivors who enter restorative programs do not return to trafficking
One in five survivors has attempted suicide while being trafficked
SPFW is determined to make Colorado a national leader in survivor care. Through our partnerships with local churches, nonprofits, law enforcement, and medical providers, we are building a statewide response – one that offers real alternatives to crisis centers, jails, and emergency rooms.
Investing in Long-Term Change
The average cost to support one survivor through our program is $15,000 annually – or $1,500/month, $50/day. That amount covers everything from housing and therapy to legal support and job training.
The return on this investment is profound:
100% of survivors in our program gain stable employment
75% complete GEDs, college courses, or vocational training
90% report improved mental health outcomes
75 survivors will be directly impacted in 2025 through SPFW housing and services
As one survivor, Kelsie, said while holding up her first paycheck: “This is the first money I’ve ever earned that I’m proud of.”
Our Vision for the Future
Led by CEO Ked Frank and a team of faith-driven professionals, SPFW is expanding its model across the U.S. In 2026, we’re planting roots in Miami, Nashville, and Billings, creating new safe homes and networks of support. Our vision is a nation where every woman and child is safe from sex trafficking and empowered to live out her God-given purpose.
With two decades of combined experience, our leadership is building systems to support strategic growth – developing scalable programs, strengthening operational infrastructure, and fostering collaborations that change the landscape of survivor care.
You Can Help
SPFW doesn’t just help women escape. We help them rebuild. When you support Safe Places for Women, you become part of a woman’s story of healing, hope, and independence.
$50 provides one day of care
$1,500 supports one survivor a month
$20,000 sponsors a woman’s full healing journey for a year
Your investment doesn’t just rescue. It restores. And restoration is what breaks the cycle for good. Let’s build a world where every woman is safe, seen, and free.
To learn more about our mission or to donate to Safe Places for Women, contact ked@safeplacesforwomen.org.
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