CATE is a statewide coalition to prevent and respond to human trafficking and exploitation. Primary activities include workgroups, policy advocacy, research & data collection, and standards of care.
CATE is one of three programs supported by the Healing Action Network, which offers financial and operational resources to ensure the sustainability of Coalition activities over the long term.
CATE is a statewide program whose staff work remotely.
Leadership is made up of executive leaders within of membership organizations, facilitated by Coalition Director, Jordan Campbell.
History
In 2005, the St. Louis Rescue and Restore Coalition was created by local organizations to be led by the International Institute of St. Louis (IISTL). This was the first coalition to fight trafficking in the St. Louis area and its main goal was to provide a space for professionals to collaborate on efforts regarding awareness, training, and victim service provision. In 2014, grant funding added stipulations to focus direct outreach efforts on foreign-born victims therefore leading the coalition to focus on labor trafficking. Due to these changes, the portion of the coalition that served primarily victims of domestic sex trafficking supported the creation of the Coalition Against Trafficking and Exploitation (CATE). At the time, CATE’s focus was education, awareness, and community outreach focusing on issues of domestic sex trafficking.
In 2018, due to a loss of funding for the coalition coordinator position, Healing Action Network stepped in to resume responsibilities of the coalition with the help of leading coalition members. Since March 2018, coalition staff and volunteers have conducted meetings with key coalition stakeholders, developed an updated vision, mission, and values, received approval from current membership, and began soliciting funding.
