Our Three Pillars

ABOUT AWAKEN WISCONSIN

Together, these three pillars form the foundation of our approach and inform all of the work that we do, from community outreach and education to providing support and resources for survivors.

Pillar One:

Prevention

Prevention is vital in the work we do. Through prevention education, communities gain the ability to work towards creating an environment where individuals are less vulnerable to sex trafficking. Prevention education is done at a community level. Awaken offers year-round workshops and trainings for law enforcement, community partners, hospitals, social service providers, local businesses, and more. We perform outreach through special events, media campaigns, and tabling events around our area. 

Pillar Two:

Restoration

Women in and out of the sex trade are sold, raped, beaten, assaulted, kidnapped and murdered at levels high above the national average. Awaken works extensively with other community partners to help these individuals. Their unique and complex circumstances create serious challenges that require individualized and customized services not often available at domestic violence centers, drug/alcohol rehabilitation centers, or homeless shelters. Awaken aspires to see each woman healed and living out her fullest potential. 

Pillar Three:

City Transformation

An important aspect of Awaken’s work is focused on being an advocate for social change and engaging the community. Through the agency’s awareness and outreach efforts, Awaken is reaching a diverse cross-section of Wisconsin’s population from grassroots supporters to policymakers. We aim to educate and empower individuals with the information and resources they need to combat sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.


Awaken’s commitment to reaching community members is a key component in the fight against commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking in our area. We cannot combat this issue alone and need all our neighbors to be informed about this egregious human rights violation happening right here in our own backyards. We understand that raising awareness is just one step, but it takes a village–Awaken aspires to be an inspirational model for other communities in the fight against commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.