Since 1996, Breaking Free has helped thousands of women escape sex trafficking and prostitution through direct services.  

We empower survivors of sex trafficking and prostitution to build new lives through safe housing, direct services, effective healing programs, survivor advocacy, worldwide policy change, and hope.  

The staff diversity at Breaking Free intentionally provides additional support to serve women of color who are disproportionately represented in the demographics of sex trafficking, prostitution, and sexual exploitation.

"The single greatest barrier to escaping sex trafficking and prostitution is a lack of safe housing."  Terry Forliti, Executive Director of Breaking Free

Breaking Free is currently the only survivor-led provider of housing services to victims of sex trafficking and their children in Minnesota. We provide a week-day Drop-In Center and permanent supportive housing for 41 family units. 

In 2019, Breaking Free opened the only survivor-led emergency shelter specifically for victims of sex trafficking and prostitution in Minnesota.