ACE, an Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance, met at the Oxford Senior Center recently to listen to Tiffany Stark, the program manager at Thistle Hills, writes Betsy Brewer Brantner for the Chester County Press.

Thistle Hills in Coatesville is a residential program that helps transform the lives of women who have been survivors of human trafficking and addiction.

It is a hard job, as in today’s climate many people do not even believe that human trafficking exists. But statistics show that due to its proximity to the Interstate 95 corridor, Chester County is a location for human trafficking.

Stark admits that listening to what the trafficked victims have been through is hard, but she knows that many people have gone through various types of trauma.

“Anything could happen to anyone,” she said. “No one is immune. Many people have suffered from child abuse or physical abuse. Not everyone comes from a perfect home.”

Sadly, convincing victims of human trafficking that they deserve a second chance can be very tough.

“Just because you have a record doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a chance,” said Stark. “Unfortunately, society doesn’t feel that way.”

Read more about how Thistle Hills helps transform the lives of women in the Chester County Press.

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