by The Carolina Journal

Five years ago, The Lantern Project began with a simple but urgent mission: to shine a light on human trafficking in our own backyard. Many still thought of trafficking as something that happened overseas or in big cities — somewhere else, to someone else. But as we quickly learned, the reality is far closer to home. From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina has become a major corridor for exploitation, with victims hidden in plain sight — in schools, neighborhoods, and online spaces our children frequent every day.

When we opened our doors in 2020, we set out to do three things: educate communities, equip professionals, and restore survivors. Over the past five years, we’ve trained thousands of teachers, parents, and law enforcement officers to recognize the signs of trafficking. We’ve built partnerships with first responders and local agencies to ensure victims are identified and supported, not ignored or criminalized. And, perhaps most importantly, we’ve walked alongside survivors — providing safe housing, trauma-informed care, and the tools they need to rebuild their lives with dignity.

In 2023, we expanded our services to include residential programs offering survivors a secure place to heal. One former client recently told us, “My children and I have been supported continuously in a way that has brought peace and hope for our futures for the first time in a long time.” That single sentence captures why we do this work — and why we can never stop.

What We’ve Learned

If the past five years have taught us anything, it’s that human trafficking thrives in silence. It hides in the gray areas — where addiction meets poverty, where youth are disconnected from support systems, and where predators exploit both vulnerability and technology.

We’ve also learned that trafficking is not just a criminal justice issue. It’s a public-health, economic, and community-safety issue. Survivors often face layers of trauma: housing instability, untreated mental-health conditions, and lack of access to education or employment. Without a coordinated response that addresses these root causes, we risk rescuing victims only to see them re-victimized by circumstance.

Technology has added a new layer of complexity. In today’s digital landscape, predators no longer lurk only in dark corners — they’re in every smartphone and gaming console. That’s why our prevention and education programs now include digital-safety workshops for parents and schools, helping families recognize grooming patterns and teaching youth how to protect themselves online.

Partnership has been another essential lesson. Over the years, we’ve worked hand-in-hand with law enforcement, educators, social workers, and community leaders across North Carolina. These collaborations have proven that when systems communicate — when the people who see signs of exploitation every day know who to call and what to do — lives are saved.

What Still Needs to Be Done

Despite progress, there is still so much work ahead. North Carolina consistently ranks among the top 10 states in the nation for reported human-trafficking cases. The reasons are complex: our interstate network, growing population, agricultural and service industries, and proximity to major cities all make the state a hub for traffickers. But none of those factors are destiny.

What determines whether victims stay trapped or find freedom is our collective will to act. We need more funding for survivor housing, more trauma-informed training for law enforcement, and more community awareness so exploitation can’t take root undetected. Every local government, school system, and faith community has a role to play.

We also must acknowledge the rising threats facing at-risk youth. The average age of entry into trafficking remains alarmingly young. Prevention starts with mentorship, early intervention, and creating safe environments where young people feel seen and valued. When children believe their lives have purpose, predators lose their power.

The Power of Community

Every success story we’ve witnessed began with someone paying attention — a teacher who noticed a student’s sudden absences, a nurse who recognized signs of abuse, or a neighbor who made a phone call when something didn’t feel right. Combating trafficking doesn’t require heroism; it requires compassion and awareness.

That’s why events like our upcoming 5th Annual Lantern Gala on Dec. 4, 2025 at The Kettle Room, Cabarrus Brewing Co. matter so much. It’s more than a celebration — it’s a call to action. It’s a moment to reflect on what’s been accomplished and to recommit to the work ahead. Proceeds from the gala directly support survivor care, safe housing, and educational outreach across the state.

To our partners, volunteers, and supporters: thank you for believing that freedom is worth fighting for. Your generosity has turned light into action, and action into change.

To those just learning about this issue: the time to get involved is now. Attend a training. Volunteer. Sponsor a survivor. Talk to your children about online safety. Most of all, refuse to look away.

Lighting the Way Forward

At The Lantern Project, we often say our mission is to illuminate the path toward freedom and healing. But true illumination takes all of us. The light we carry is brighter when shared — when businesses, churches, schools, and families work together to protect the vulnerable and restore the broken.

Five years in, we know this fight will not be won overnight. But every survivor who regains her voice, every child who stays safe, and every community that becomes more aware brings us one step closer to the day when trafficking no longer finds a foothold in North Carolina.

Hope is powerful — but hope in action changes everything.

Simon Arkley is the founder and executive director of The Lantern Project.

Link to original article - https://www.carolinajournal.com/opinion/5-years-of-fighting-human-trafficking-in-nc/

5 years of fighting human trafficking in NC

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