Granite State Times

Brigid’s House of Hope founder and executive director Bethany Cottrell said the New Hampshire organization’s mission is to provide safe housing for victims of human trafficking and exploitation.

Once that basic need is met, Brigid's House of Hope will encourage “hope, healing, empowerment, security and long-term aftercare and support,” Cottrell said.

She has been a victims’ advocate for nine years. Three years ago, she realized there was a specific need she could help address.

“After many years of being a part of the New Hampshire Human Trafficking Collaborative Task Force, myself and other members understood that the biggest gap in services for victims of trafficking in New Hampshire is housing,” Cottrell told Granite State Times. “We hear over and over that victims were often returning to their exploitative situation because of a fear of homelessness. 

"There was no place for victims or survivors to go for safety, shelter and security that addresses all the needs of a trafficking survivor," she added. "We decided that something had to be done, and we worked to start Brigid’s House of Hope.”

The name came from her great-great-grandmother Brigid, who emigrated from Ireland to the U.S. Cottrell also realized St. Brigid of Ireland, born into slavery, is a patron saint for people held in captivity.

“It all just came together,” Cottrell said.

According to the Concord Monitor, Brigid’s House of Hope has received a federal grant of $583,586 that will be allotted over three years. The designated house will support six to eight women at a time, and will provide food, shelter, security, mental health treatment, rehabilitation, job training and education.

“The Office for Victims of Crime developed three-year grant funding specifically to support new housing programs to support victims of trafficking and exploitation,” Cottrell said. “These grant funds will allow Brigid's House to maintain sustainability for housing and personnel for the next three years. This allows the staff to focus on victim services, structure of the program, clinical supports and for the administrative staff to develop a longer-term sustainability plan. Without these funds, Brigid’s House would be working month-to-month to maintain an ongoing budget.”

Brigid’s House of Hope will provide long-term restorative housing for victims and survivors of trafficking in New Hampshire. It plans to open the house next year between Manchester and Exeter, almost exactly three years after the organization was formed.

“This will be done in phases, similar to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The initial phase will focus on shelter, food and security,” Cottrell said. “Allowing a victim to find and maintain these needs while preparing to plan the next stages of their life. This requires time, support and case management. 

"Oftentimes victims of trafficking have difficulty sleeping and eating, what others may see as normal activities, or daily activities that don't require thought," she added. "Yet for a victim with a trauma history, these can be the biggest decisions of the day. Once a resident is safe and secure, they will be able to work with a case manager to address mental health, substance misuse and medical needs." 

Cottrell said Brigid’s House of Hope will not have to employ all the staff but will utilize the existing professional and successful programs in the community. Residents will have access to supports through other programs such as AA, faith communities, yoga and holistic self-care, dental needs, education, job support and, ultimately, independent living supports.

Cottrell said it’s not easy to determine if the problem of human trafficking is growing worse.

“Defining the numbers or statistics of human trafficking is difficult. Our communities are finally talking about it and recognizing that it happens here, but we can be doing more,” she said. “As we talk more, provide services and supports and training for professionals who may identify victims, the numbers will increase. I am unsure if this means it is happening more or if we are better about identifying and supporting those in our communities who are being exploited and targeted for these awful crimes.”

Cottrell said New Hampshire law enforcement agencies are working collaboratively with other programs to better train their officers and better identify victims.

“These cases are complex and require the resources of multiple departments and working together, which is exactly what is happening in New Hampshire,” she said. “Homeland Security is working with Merrimack County Sheriff's Office and New Hampshire State Police to provide education, support and officers who can respond to these unique crimes throughout New Hampshire.”

Ordinary citizens can play a key role as well.

“The public can educate themselves, understand what trafficking is, what the scope of the problem is and be willing to continue talking about it to bring awareness to this issue, right here in New Hampshire,” Cottrell said. “They can support agencies like Brigid's House of Hope and other victim-serving programs by volunteering, donating items, time or money, and connecting these programs with their networks. We need to create awareness and sustainable programs so we can stop the cycle of trafficking in New Hampshire.”

According to National Human Trafficking Hotline data compiled from 2007 to the present, New Hampshire has encountered 87 cases of human trafficking in the past 14 years. These cases involved 196 individuals who had a high likelihood of being trafficking victims and 94 individuals who had a moderate likelihood of being trafficking victims.

According to the U.S. Justice Department website, the federal government spent $101 million last year combating human trafficking.

The Biden administration announced an updated National Action Plan to combat human trafficking earlier this month.

“The plan draws on survivor voices and recommendations over the years on how to prevent human trafficking and provide the appropriate resources to protect and respond to the needs of individuals who have experienced human trafficking,” according to a news release from the White House.

To support Brigid’s House of Hope, visit BrigidsHouseOfHope.org, to learn more or make a donation.