In the Community
The Hallow Opens to Help Victims of Trafficking Find Treatment, Support, and a Safe Place to Stay
Smiles abound as the ribbon is cut at The Hallow in Virginia Beach, a new Samaritan House facility for adolescent survivors of human trafficking.
The soothing colors, inviting living spaces, and caring staff inside "The Hallow" provide comfort and security to child survivors of human trafficking.
With its grand opening celebration on Friday, The Hallow became the first extended stay, licensed and secured facility in the region for child trafficking victims to heal. The facility can house up to eight girls from the ages of 11 to 17. About 89 percent of those seeking help from Samaritan House are young women.
Robin Gauthier, executive director of the Samaritan House, teared up as she prepared to cut the ribbon that would signal the opening of the facility. Samaritan House began a capital campaign in 2020 to create The Hallow, and the facility has been under construction for more than two years.
The Hampton Roads Community Foundation has supported the Samaritan House for years, including with a grant for $150,000 over three years for the salary and benefits of the program director at The Hallow. The Foundation has also provided grants to help with staff training on best practices for domestic violence survivors, to create safe spaces for children in emergency housing, and for an anti-trafficking case manager.
"Thank you for believing in our mission," Gauthier told the crowd.
Samaritan House plans to continue improvements to the facility with a basketball court and a garden.
Hampton Roads is a hub for human trafficking, according to Samaritan House, due to its location, interstate connectors, airport and seaport. Since 2016, there have been 299 cases of human trafficking in Hampton Roads, including 55 minors. That led to creation of the Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force in 2017.
Former Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, who helped to expand the regional task force, called human trafficking a heinous crime that treats victims as commodities. The Hallow, he said, will help young people who have lost their childhood.
Colin Stolle, the Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney, said The Hallow represents hope. "Hope will be restored that their horrible experiences are over. They are empowered to take back their lives and their future."
