Inspired by the transformative Love Heals model pioneered by Thistle Farms, Magdalene House of Austin was established in 2016 to address the critical need for comprehensive, long-term care for adult survivors of sex trafficking in both the local Austin community and across the United States.
When survivors break free from the shackles of exploitation, they often find themselves without a supportive community to turn to. Struggling with the absence of essential support systems, a home, and job skills, many are forced to consider returning to their traffickers for emotional and financial stability. Recognizing that slavery extends beyond physical bondage to psychological entrapment, traffickers exploit the lack of viable alternatives, coaxing survivors back into a life of oppression.
Magdalene House Austin stands as the beacon of hope and community that survivors desperately need. We offer a haven for sustained healing, addressing the profound trauma resulting from trafficking. As the inaugural long-term residential program in central Texas, Magdalene House provides a supportive community that empowers survivors to forge an independent and vibrant future. Above all, we extend the transformative power of love, fostering an environment where survivors can reclaim their lives.
“None of the women ended up in their situation by themselves. It takes broken systems in our community to make them become runaways, allow them to be trafficked, and to become addicted, so it makes sense that it takes a community to help welcome them back and help them heal.”
- Becca Stevens, Founder of Thistle Farms
The line between prostitution and trafficking is not as straightforward as we are often led to believe. Without exception, women do not make the choice to be trafficked and do not have a voice in how they are labeled. "Human trafficking forcefully converts a human being to a commodity. One person profits by stripping rights and dignity from another person. The trafficked person has no element of choice; they are a product in a multi-billion dollar industry." (Photo and quote from, The Exodus Road)
In January 2017, The Statewide Human Trafficking Mapping Project of Texas released an in-depth report on the state of Human Trafficking in Texas. The study made several groundbreaking discoveries about a historically underreported reality:
There are an estimated 313,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas.
There are approximately 79,000 minor and youth victims of sex trafficking in Texas.
Sex trafficking costs the state costs approximately $6.6 billion.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline reports:
Texas ranked second in the nation for tips received by the hotline in 2016. It made up about 8% of the volume received.
The Department of Public Safety indicates:
12-14 is the average age a female victim is first trafficked.
Fifty-three runaways reported being victimized while they were on runaway status in 2016. Human traffickers target this population.
Austin is located in what is known as "the triangle." Victims are often transported between Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio, of which Austin is centrally located. Big events and crowds in these cities provide an environment conducive to human trafficking.
The Texas Tribune recently published a series of articles illuminating the depth of the problem in Texas.
Magdalene House Austin is a private 501(c)3 organization in good standing. We pledge sincere and honest stewardship of every donation we receive. By donating today, you’re helping us empower survivors by offering a sanctuary to heal and ultimately breaking the cycle of sex trafficking, abuse, and addiction.
