A human trafficking presentation from Albuquerque organization For the One highlighted the importance of prevention for the state during Edgewood’s town hall meeting Nov. 12.
For the One, an action-based child sexual exploitation and sex trafficking prevention non-profit known for its Vulnerable No More campaign focuses its efforts on creating awareness through live and virtual events as well as social media.
Its Instagram profile is filled with educational information and tips and tricks. It also assists human trafficking survivors financially through donations and sponsorships.
Toya Kaplan, founder of For The One, and Christina Coudemeyer, who also works for the organization, assist victims during every phase of the process, from avoiding or preventing and identifying the signs to escaping a life-threatening situation.
Finding an exit can be challenging for victims, especially understanding their lives are at risk through a family member, a friend, or a spouse. Cases range from abduction to being trafficked by close relatives. Learning to identify the signs and understanding the supply and demand of this issue is crucial to the fight against sex trafficking.
“Some of you may not know how prevalent it is in our state. It pretty much blew my mind because I have three daughters, and I have a sexual abuse history myself since I was four, and so I got connected immediately when I found out what was going on in our state,” Kaplan said. “And so we ended up starting down this road.”
Kaplan founded the For The One foundation, which has been active for about 15 years.
According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline’s statistics, 40 cases of human trafficking were identified in New Mexico in 2023, involving 92 victims. Recent efforts have been made to dismantle businesses engaging in human trafficking, such as the New Mexico State Police leading a multi-agency operation that rescued 91 people, identified 33 stash houses, and made 16 arrests.
For the One works with other regional associations such as the NM and AZ Dream Centers, Refuge for Women and Redeemed Ministries.
The organization said it is available for anyone in need, regardless of age or gender. As Kaplan explained in her presentation, it ensures women who go through their Freedom House program become confident and independent enough to move into their own homes and apartments.
“We show up in emergency situations to help them financially,” Kaplan said.
For The One has now worked with around 300 school counselors all over the state.
“I went to Estancia and I talked with some of their seniors there, who were so unaware of what was going on. So our goal is to get there both for the predators and not just for sex trafficking, but for child sexual abuse and for exploitation,” Kaplan said.
For the One’s website says they help people trapped in the human sex trafficking industry, including those forced to work in massage parlors, brothels, online, and at truck stops, along with abducted and runaway teens and children.
For The One encourages the community to speak up against the early signs and get involved to assist people in need.
“Our goal, after meeting these ladies and going through all these prior years, was to get out ahead of trafficking before it happens, to get to the children before this starts taking place,” Kaplan said.