The Problem
A person is sold or forced into the sex-trafficking trade. This is usually a girl or boy from 12-15 years of age who is betrayed by family, friends, boyfriends, or strangers.
They work for little to no pay for years until they finally find their escape, or are turned out, left for dead or found in the hospital due to health reasons, or abuse. They are given another chance, but three to six months later they are unable to take care of themself and fall back into the life they know all too well: trafficking. Sex trafficking is the second largest organized crime ring in the US and is growing. They are one of the 89% of sex-trafficked survivors who have been forced back into the $99 billion industry.
But...
What if there was a safe place for this person to go? A place to receive long-term care, resources for restoration, and a community dedicated to assisting them in building skills for re-entering society as a healed and thriving survivor? This person then has only a 20% or less chance of recidivism. They have hope, they have support, a hand up to better themselves and learn something new, a new life, to be restored to their given purpose.
This is the vision of The Cornerstone Project.
The Vision of The Cornerstone Project
Why? About five years ago, I felt a nudge to use my recovery and restoration from sexual trauma to empower other survivors to become thrivers. As I wrestled with what that meant and how I would pull that off in our tiny community, I knew it was bigger than where I lived and that it was a need that could be heard across the US and the world.
I started doing research, on statistics of human sex trafficking, and the statistics are staggering. Human trafficking is the second largest, growing criminal activity in the United States. Help for those that escape and survive the horrors of sex trafficking, have little in terms of resources for housing or/and programs to help them regain their footing. In my research I discovered that over 40% of the victims are male, and the average age is 12 years old. I learned that young women enter at an average age of 14, and that without a 12+ month restorative supportive program there is a greater than 88% recidivism rate. I know through my own journey and struggles with self-esteem, focus, decision making and direction due to my own sexual trauma as a child that the process is multi-faceted: this is a journey and there is not just a onetime fix. I am also aware that individuals coming out of Human Sex trafficking have even more layers of trauma and they need the support of safe, consistent housing coupled with restorative programs.
I wanted to share my journey of restoration, the hope that I now have through my relationship with Jesus Christ. One of the greatest blessings we have is to love others and to help them walk their own path. The goal in founding the Cornerstone Project is to love on others, and share hope. Cornerstone will provide, with a group of like-minded individuals, a program and housing for survivors that last 12-18 months in length. This approach speaks to the mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and educational needs of those traveling this road. Participants are not required to be a Christian or become a Christian, and all cultures, backgrounds and people will be served. How else would we show the love of Christ?
I am asking you to consider how you might be used in such a program, and how you can serve others through this process. We can all play a part, whether it is volunteering, giving financially, being a prayer partner or even maybe a staff member. Won’t you join us in sharing the hope and love to those we are seeking to serve.
Blessings,
Michelle Johnson
Founder
27% of sex trafficking cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline number were instances of familial trafficking. 2018 Fact Sheet
Interrupting the Process: Educating Men
We believe one of the ways to eradicate sex trafficking is to address it at its core. We also believe that since men make up the majority, not all, of the buyers in trafficking cases we need to address it. We have engaged the Epik Project, which is a national organization, whose goal is to interrupt the buying process. The Epik Project also trains the men in discipleship and raising up other men to be standard bearers. If you are interested in learning more about the men’s program, please contact us at info@cornerstoneprojectco.org or fill out the contact us form here.
Community Education
The average age a girl is lured or forced into sex trafficking is just 14.5 years old. The average age of a boy is 12.5 years old.