GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Sex trafficking remains one of the most pressing human rights issues today and has become more relevant in small communities than most could ever imagine. In North Central Florida, one organization has taken a stand to combat the crime. Created Gainesville is a nonprofit that has devoted itself to the rescue, restoration, and reclamation of lives affected by sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Allison Ungaro founded Created Gainesville in her living room in 2012, recognizing the dire need within her own community and took immediate steps to address it.
Ungaro says that Created Gainesville employs a four-pronged approach—youth prevention, outreach, rehabilitation, and community awareness—pillars, she says, have been supports for individuals seeking safety and healing.
“Where we are as a field with human trafficking is very much where we were as a society with domestic violence in the 80s,” said Ungaro. “We have so far to go. We’ve come a long way. We have language that we didn’t have 20 years ago. But man, do we have a long way to go in terms of responding to survivors in the ways that are needed. And so, Created Gainesville is committed to having a response that meets the needs of survivors in a holistic way.”
Created Gainesville says it’s important to treat a person as whole rather than focusing solely on their trauma. Ungaro says that perspective has led to significant gains in trauma care for survivors, acknowledging and tackling the aftermath of exploitation from every angle.
Ungaro says that survivors of sex trafficking often do not recognize themselves as victims, which contributes to this crime being underreported. Experts say the individual may perceive their trafficker as a protector, blinded to the abuse and exploitation stripping them of their own choices. Created Gainesville steps in with resources and support, aiming to catch such exploitation before it evolves into years of trauma and to provide a refuge for those needing sanctuary.
Understanding and identifying signs of trafficking are extremely important, Ungaro says. They can include sudden changes in behavior, displays of expensive gifts, or physical indications of abuse like burns, bruises, or branding. Created Gainesville offers services like tattoo removal and cover-ups, showing how committed it is to survivor recovery.
Ungaro shared that community engagement is vital in detecting and responding to sex trafficking. Online platforms have become a prevalent arena for traffickers, making vigilance in digital spaces increasingly critical. Created Gainesville provides guidance on what to look for and the tools to better understand and combat trafficking on a broad scale.
Reflecting on the profound impact and expanding reach of her work with Created Gainesville, Ungaro has served not just North Central Florida but referrals from across the country with more than 88 in 2023 alone. Despite its growth, the organization continues to face challenges, including limited safe housing options for survivors.
Ungaro told 352today that Created Gainesville is in critical need to keep its home open.
“We’ve already reduced capacity to half,” she said. “With government grant cuts the past two years for victims of crime services, we are in a place of rebuilding a sustainable revenue model, but we need a few more months to see the fruit of our efforts. In the meantime, we need a miracle.”
Your support for Created Gainesville can make a real difference in someone’s life. To learn more, volunteer, or make a donation, visit the Created Gainesville website. For inquiries, call or text 352-870-8481.