Who We Are

Sex and labor trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation occur at growing rates across the United States, including in the state of South Dakota. Several intersecting factors, including extreme poverty, geographic isolation, and homelessness, result in high levels of victimization across the state. Call to Freedom is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in South Dakota dedicated to bringing wholeness to all individuals impacted by sex and labor trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

Founded in 2016, Call to Freedom hired its first full-time staff member in 2018 and has grown to 26 full-time staff united by their passion for ensuring survivors of trafficking and exploitation are believed and supported by their community. Staff members bring decades of experience combatting violence and providing community-based services and include previous South Dakota Department of Corrections staff, social workers, law enforcement, and addiction recovery specialists.

The majority of our direct service staff had worked with Call to Freedom in their prior roles as community-based service providers and joined call to Freedom because of their passion for its holistic, person-centered approach. Our staff are uniquely positioned to serve trafficking survivors, given their experience working with people who have experienced trauma, responding to crisis situations, and identifying community resources available within the Sioux Falls community and across South Dakota.

Call To Freedom Statement of Faith:

We model Christ in our approach to restore wholeness to those impacted by sex and labor trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

Mission:

Call to Freedom brings wholeness to all individuals impacted by sex and labor trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation by navigating a healing path through our continuum of care model.

Vision:

Our vision is to create a comprehensive CommUnity model of care for individuals, and support communities while educating and advocating to combat sex and labor trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

What We Do

Continuum of Care Model

Realizing the complex needs of those who have been victim to the trauma of human trafficking, Call to Freedom addresses human trafficking from all angles and is committed to be a constant throughout a client’s journey. Our Continuum of Care Model is shaped by survivors’ input to ensure holistic and meaningful care long term to every individual we serve.

Click below to learn more about all our areas of service.

Call to Freedom is a trauma-informed nonprofit that provides comprehensive, ongoing, and coordinated support services for all individuals impacted by human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

Call to Freedom (CTF) serves victims and survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in South Dakota through coordinating services tailored to each client. Trafficking survivors of all backgrounds, genders, and ages, receive comprehensive services, including safety assessments; housing; transportation; medical care; counseling; education and employment help; and legal advocacy. We strive to ensure that all clients receive healing and support—whether through addiction recovery services, housing, or court advocacy.

The scope of the problem demands coordinated, unified efforts among both the government and nongovernment sectors, as well as the local communities. By creating a strong network of frontline providers who offer safe housing, mental health counseling, medical assistance, addiction assistance, transportation and other supportive services we are able to provide holistic care to our clients.

In addition to providing direct services to those impacted by trafficking, Call to Freedom staff works in the community—including with businesses and schools—to provide education and awareness. Our goal is to increase public awareness about what human trafficking looks like, available programs, and how to make reports so that those impacted can be better identified and connected with resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Call to Freedom is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that can receive tax-deductible donations.

Call to Freedom receives funding from the federal and state governments, private foundations, corporate contributions and partnerships, and local community giving.

Call to Freedom offers several ways to donate, including online donation, checks and money orders, legacy giving, endowments, and more. You can donate online here. Checks/money orders can be mailed to: Call to Freedom, 1915 E 8th Street, Suite 100 Sioux Falls, SD 57103.

For more information on how to donate, visit: https://calltofreedom.org/donate/.

Your gift helps Call to Freedom provide lifesaving support to those impacted by human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Funds raised provide safety, basic needs, a supportive housing site, medical assistance, transportation, and other specialized services for those most in need. Read more about how your generous contribution helps provide healing to those impacted by human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

We receive client referrals from community partners, other survivors, law enforcement, hospitals and healthcare providers, youth service organizations, and others.

Call to Freedom provides services to those impacted by human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, regardless of gender, age, race, or other demographic factors. Men and boys are vulnerable to both sex and labor trafficking, as well as commercial sexual exploitation, and Call to Freedom provides inclusive services.

Commercial sexual exploitation refers to a range of crimes and activities involving the sexual abuse of a person for the financial benefit of another person (or in exchange for anything of value, such as food, shelter, or protection). Put simply, it refers to individuals buying, trading, or selling sexual acts. Commercial sexual exploitation can take many forms, including prostitution, sex tourism, pornography, and online transmission of child sexual abuse material.

In an emergency, call 911.

There are several methods by which you can report suspected human trafficking, including the following:

  • Sioux Falls Crime Stoppers: 877-367-7007
    • Please note that reports can be made to Crime Stoppers anonymously; calls will not display caller ID.
  • The National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
    • You can also text the hotline at 233733.
  • Federal Law Enforcement: 1-866-347-2423

If you or someone you know needs Call to Freedom’s services, please call (605) 759-3565.

Please note that directly intervening in an active trafficking situation can be dangerous for both you and impacted individual(s). If a survivor needs help, it is best to safely connect them to trained professionals.

Call to Freedom serves children and youth (0-24), as well as adults. Our youth team is available to coordinate age-appropriate services for those who have been victimized by human trafficking and/or commercial sexual exploitation.

Additionally, Call to Freedom has supports available for parents to prevent and respond to child victimization. Through our Parent Connections training series, parents, guardians, family members, and support systems who want to become advocates for the young people in their lives can learn how to protect their children. Visit Call to Freedom’s Events page to view upcoming Parent Connections events.

Parents, families, supporters, and others are encouraged to order a copy of Call to Freedom’s A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Human Trafficking and Healing Their Children. The book is originated and primarily written by Ruth Atkins, the grandmother of a young woman who was trafficked. The book serves as a resource for parents and others on identifying the dangers and warning signs of trafficking, as well as understanding the psychology of victims.

Yes. Call to Freedom provides services to those impacted by human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, regardless of gender, age, race, or other demographic factors. Men and boys are vulnerable to both sex and labor trafficking, as well as commercial sexual exploitation, and Call to Freedom provides inclusive services.

No. Call to Freedom does not currently have an emergency shelter. However, our organization supports survivors in need of housing and shelter through services such as housing navigation and advocacy, transitional housing, rental assistance, and a supportive housing site. Our staff works with community partners to secure emergency housing for survivors in need.

Yes. At their discretion, Call to Freedom staff can assist with transporting victims to where they need to be, pending safety considerations; the safety of our clients and staff is paramount. Additionally, Call to Freedom has a volunteer transportation team that assists with safely transporting individuals.

Yes. If an individual qualifies for our services as an individual who has been impacted by human trafficking and/or commercial sexual exploitation, we will connect her/him to appropriate supportive services, including trauma counseling.