The Refuge for DMST™

The Refuge for DMST™ (Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking) is developing The Refuge Ranch, a long-term, faith-based, residential, therapeutic community for 48 girls, minors through age 19, who have been rescued out of sex trafficking. Located on 50 acres in a beautiful and restorative setting outside of Austin, TX, The Refuge Ranch will provide trauma-informed, holistic care for the girls on-site, including a University of Texas Charter School program, a People’s Community Clinic and various therapeutic programs uniquely designed for the development of a child survivor. When open, The Refuge Ranch will be one of the only long-term, live-in rehabilitation facilities for child survivors of sex trafficking in the United States. For more information, go to www.therefugedmst.org.

Why it matters:

• • Child sex trafficking is the fastest growing crime in America.
  • There are currently 79,000 young adults and minors being sex trafficked in Texas.
  • Texas has the second most reported number of child sex trafficking cases in the US.
  • There are less than 600 beds available nationwide for child sex trafficking survivors long-term recovery from trauma, but we have over 13,000 animal shelters.
  • There are less than 24 beds available in Texas for child sex trafficking survivors.
  • 1 of 7 missing children are likely victims of sex trafficking.
  • 88% of reported child sex trafficking victims were in the care of social services or foster care when they went missing.
  • The average age a young girl is lured or forced into sex trafficking is just 13 years old.
  • There was 846% increase in reported child sex trafficking cases from 2010 to 2015.