Human trafficking in Kentucky sees 500 women advertised online weekly

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Human trafficking happens in every single county across Kentucky, and children are among the main targets.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline was created in 2007. By the end of January, it had fielded calls from 2,499 victims identified in Kentucky cases. A check with hotline workers on June 26 found 252 more human trafficking survivors were added to that list.

Deanna Lynn, a human trafficking survivor herself, is the director of Refuge for Women. it's a nonprofit helping human trafficking survivors rebuild their lives in the commonwealth.

She said her team works undercover in several online chatrooms, trying to help women get out of harm's way.

So far Lynn and her team have seen an average of 500 women advertised online each week. She said they've also noticed a devastating trend of people looking to buy and exploit infants.

Every 90 days, there are roughly 1,000 searches for toddlers in the Bluegrass state.

Kentucky's secretary of state launched an initiative for businesses to help combat human trafficking in January 2025. However, officials said it's up to everyone to keep an eye out.

Paths to human trafficking

Lynn noted several common paths. She said the number one likely trafficker is a spouse or intimate partner.

The second way to become a victim is through family members, specifically parents. Lynn said that's because if that kind of lifestyle is normalized to them, parents will continue that cycle with their children.

The third way is through someone called a "producer." Those predators usually find their victims through online ads or by approaching in person with offers of modeling opportunities.

Unfortunately, that's how Lynn got involved in the fight against human trafficking.

"They started with legitimate modeling jobs, and then it was just like they increased the amount of alcohol and the drugs and the money and the lifestyle," Lynn recalled. "And then all of a sudden, I'm in a hotel with this guy, you know, delivering me places or standing outside with his gun. And every 30 minutes, multiple people new people are banging on that door."

Lynn was trafficked for a decade before she was able to escape. Now she has a beautiful life with a husband, kids, and several pets. She's working to get her doctorate this Fall, and she continues to fight to get free other women from the grip of human trafficking through Refuge for Women.

If you or a loved one needs help, you can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.

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Human trafficking in Kentucky sees 500 women advertised online weekly