Safe Hope Home

I’m Jasmine De fina, the executive director of Safe Hope Home. Safe Hope Home is Canada’s only long-term residential rehabilitation programme for survivors of human trafficking. Human trafficking doesn’t always involve crossing international borders. It can be as simple as a child being moved from their home or school to a hotel where they’re being exploited. The largest amount of trafficking we see in Canada, especially in Durham Region, is domestic sex trafficking. Durham is a major hub because it sits along the 401 Corridor.

Our work focuses on connecting survivors with community services, providing housing, food, and essential support. A significant part of what we do is trauma therapy, which our clients value deeply. Many people misunderstand human trafficking as a situation where someone is kidnapped off the street, but it’s often far less obvious. In my case, my trafficker was someone I knew, someone I trusted, someone I thought cared for me. That’s true for many survivors. Traffickers manipulate, form trauma bonds, and often victims don’t realise what’s happening until it’s too late.

Traffickers also use drugs to keep victims dependent and maintain total control. It’s incredibly hard to get out. I’m very grateful for this place because my situation was dangerous, and I don’t know how much longer I could have lived like that. Safe Hope Home has helped me become a better person. When I first arrived, I didn’t want to do anything and had a really negative mindset. Over time, my whole perspective has changed. I’ve gone from believing I deserved what was happening to me to knowing that I’m worth so much more and that I deserve a good life.

The most rewarding part of Safe Hope Home is watching participants graduate and move to the next stages of their lives. Knowing that someone can leave here feeling loved and cared for is a success. God is so good. These stories continue every day. Seeing participants grow stronger and take steps forward in their recovery is truly incredible.

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