Phoenix Set To Open Complex For Human Trafficking Victims
The city of Phoenix will soon hold the grand opening of an apartment complex for victims of human trafficking.
The city-owned complex, called Phoenix Starfish Place, has 15 apartments to house survivors of human trafficking and their children. It will run on a therapeutic sanctuary model, said Tamyra Spendley, program coordinator for the City Manager’s Office.
“We want to build a community within there, so all the women can talk to each other and really support each other along the way,” Spendley said.
Social workers will have offices at the complex so residents have direct access to supportive services.
“And they’re going to do staggered hours ... to make sure they’re there on weekends, some mornings and some evenings,” Spendley said.
The complex is geared toward victims of sex trafficking, Spendley said. To protect them from past abusers, the city will not publicly reveal where the complex is located.
The apartments have already been furnished. But the city needs donors to help equip common areas, Spendley said.
“We’re looking for the community to help us furnish these rooms,” she said. “We want to have a demonstration kitchen. We’ll need the kitchen appliances for that, different things for the teen room. A library that’s going need computers.”
To donate, visit Phoenix’s human trafficking page.
