January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, shining renewed light on an issue that continues to affect communities across Kentucky. A local detective and a human trafficking survivor are now working to confront how this crime manifests in the region.
“I was desperate as the dying could be,” Deanna Lynn said, reflecting on her past.
That desperation defined her life after years of exploitation.
“I did not know how to function in the world after about 10 years of being used, trafficked, sold and exploited,” Lynn said.
Fifteen years ago, Lynn found a safe place where she could begin healing and rebuilding her life.
“I needed a place that I could go to where I could unpack all of the things that I experienced even before I got into that situation,” she said.
Lynn eventually transformed her life and now serves as executive director of Refuge for Women Kentucky. In an interview with LEX 18 two years ago, she spoke about the support that helped save her life.
“I had a lot of people who stepped into my pain and a lot of people who fought for my life when I didn’t think my life was worth living,” Lynn said.
Today, she continues her work and says human trafficking across the country shares one defining trait.
“It looks like manipulation,” Lynn said.
Kentucky ranks alarmingly high nationwide for child and human trafficking cases, according to Ricky Lynn, a special victims unit detective with the Frankfort Police Department who is not related to Deanna Lynn.
“I would say we’re in the top 10 in the country,” Ricky Lynn said.
Recent statistics show a troubling rise in cases.
“Since 2022, human trafficking with children has gone up about 40 to 50 percent,” he said. “When it comes to kids, 60% of children are being trafficked by someone within the home.”
That increase is one reason Deanna Lynn continues expanding efforts through her organization. Refuge for Women Kentucky now operates safe homes in Kentucky, Las Vegas, Dallas and Chicago.
“Now we have apartments and transitional homes,” Lynn said.
The growth marks a significant milestone for the nonprofit.
“When I came out in 2011, we had one home,” she said.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-888-373-7888 for anyone seeking help or wanting to report suspected trafficking.
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