Does Human Trafficking Really Happen In Northwest Arkansas?

“Hope fuels resilience, turns pain into purpose, and reminds us that no matter how dark things may seem, light is always possible. ” — Jenny Sorey

Surely Not Here, Right?

Today, July 30, is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. It’s a day to raise awareness and recommit to the fight for those living in conditions of forced labor, forced prostitution, child trafficking, or any form of the commercial trade of people.

Around 50 million people are living in slavery worldwide. When we hear that number, it’s easy to think, “That’s a problem out there, but not here.”

Yet, it’s estimated that over 1 million people are living in modern slavery within the borders of the U.S.—and most estimate the true number is much higher.

But surely not here in Northwest Arkansas, right?

If you’re like me, the term “human trafficking” probably elicits scenes from movies like Taken. It feels foreign and shocking to imagine something like that happening in our backyard. But it does, whether we want to acknowledge it or not.

That’s why local organizations like Hub of HOPE are working to raise awareness, train prevention, and provide services for victims of trafficking and exploitation within our community.

A Message From The Front Lines

I had the opportunity to speak and correspond with Hub of HOPE founder Jenny Sorey earlier this week. She and her team work on the front lines of anti-human trafficking efforts here in Northwest Arkansas, and even over the phone, you can sense her enormous passion around this topic. Here’s what she shared with me:

• What do you wish the community knew about human trafficking that is often misunderstood?
  
  One of the biggest things I wish the community understood is that human trafficking doesn’t always look like what you see in movies or on the news. It doesn’t always involve someone crossing a border or being kidnapped. Trafficking has no boundaries, and it affects people of every age, ethnicity, religion, gender, and socio-economic background. It happens in both rural and urban communities, including right here at home.

  
  We simplify the definition of trafficking to "the commercial trade of a human being for profit." That doesn’t always mean money. Sometimes it’s drugs, a place to stay, food, or even material possessions. Anything of value can be traded for the use of a person.
  
  Social media and online platforms are traffickers’ number one tools for grooming and exploitation. And addiction and trafficking often go hand-in-hand, making it even harder for victims to break free.
  
  People often think it’s just sex trafficking, but labor trafficking is very real and present too. Both forms rob people of their freedom and dignity, and both are happening in our communities more than most people realize.
  
  Awareness is the first step to change. I wish more people knew just how close to home this really is.
  
  

• What parts of our culture or systems do you think unintentionally enable trafficking to thrive?
  
  There are a lot of parts of our culture and systems that, without meaning to, create space for trafficking to thrive. One major factor is the unsupervised access children and teens have to the internet, especially through social media and online gaming platforms that include chat features. Traffickers know exactly where to go to find vulnerable kids, and the grooming often starts in these spaces right under our noses.
  
  Familial trafficking is another heartbreaking reality. It's hard to talk about, but many victims are exploited by someone they know and should be able to trust, sometimes even a family member. When we only imagine traffickers as strangers in dark vans, we miss what’s really happening around us.
  
  Another challenge is the general lack of education and awareness. Many people still don’t know what trafficking looks like, or they have a very narrow view of it. And sadly, as a society, we often turn away from hard topics because they feel too overwhelming. But staying silent or looking the other way only allows trafficking to continue in the shadows.
  
  If we want to fight trafficking effectively, we have to be willing to have the hard conversations, educate ourselves and others, and create safer environments for vulnerable people.
  
  

• Is there a particular story that has stayed with you and motivates your work today?
  
  Years ago, I was facilitating a training with the Re-entry Coalition when a man in the group asked how he could prove that trafficking was really happening here in Northwest Arkansas. Before I could even respond, a woman I had never met stood up and said, “Well, now you’ve met someone. I was trafficked for 22 years, right here in your backyard.”
  
  That woman was Kachia Phillips. Her boldness in that moment left a mark on me. She didn't hesitate to speak truth, not just to educate, but to shift the room. Today, Kachia serves as our Program Coach at Hub of HOPE, and she continues to inspire me and so many others with her strength, perseverance, and commitment to healing.
  
  Her story is a powerful reminder that trafficking isn’t some distant issue. It’s here. And survivors are not just victims, they are leaders, advocates, and changemakers when given the space and support to heal. Kachia’s journey fuels my belief in the work we do and the importance of walking alongside survivors with dignity and hope.
  
  Kachia recently shared her story on The Good Influencers podcast, which you can view on YouTube HERE.
  
  

• What does "hope" mean to you?
  
  When I founded Hub of HOPE, the word hope meant more than just a feeling—it became our foundation. The words that make up our name came so clearly to me: Healing, Opportunities, Prevention, and Education. Those four pillars guide everything we do.
  
  But beyond that, hope is what keeps us moving forward. It’s the belief that healing is possible, even after the deepest wounds. It’s the strength to keep showing up for survivors, for our team, and for the work that still needs to be done.
  
  Hope fuels resilience, turns pain into purpose, and reminds us that no matter how dark things may seem, light is always possible.
  
  For me, hope is both a promise and a driving force.

3 Ways To Join The Fight

What if our response to the reality of human trafficking in Northwest Arkansas shifted from a “Surely not here?” to a “Here? Surely not!” 

What if an unwillingness to acknowledge that trafficking happens here became an unwillingness to allow it to continue?

If that vision stirs something in you, here are three ways we can join Hub of HOPE in accomplishing that goal:

• Give: A $35 gift provides for one day of support for a victim's needs, including safe shelter, food, clothing, and education to help victims of human trafficking build a stable life on the other side. Give HERE.

• Volunteer: Volunteer: From outreach and education to survivor support and events, Hub of HOPE offers a range of volunteer roles where your time and talents can make a real impact. All volunteers complete training and meet monthly to stay equipped and connected. Apply HERE.

• Walk, Run, Bike: Join Hub of HOPE on Sunday, Oct 5, at Orchard’s Park in Bentonville for its 6th Annual Give a Mile or More for HOPE. Every step you walk, run, or ride helps raise vital funds to provide shelter, food, clothing, and life-changing support for victims of human trafficking. Register HERE.