Equip Yourself to Fight Sex Trafficking
Here at Safe House Project, we understand that you want to make a difference in the fight against sex trafficking. However, many people don’t know how to spot the signs, which leaves them feeling powerless. You deserve to know how to take action and protect those at risk.
Sex Trafficking Detection Training
OnWatch™ is a survivor-led training designed to empower you to spot, report, and prevent sex trafficking where you live, work, and play. Through real survivor stories and expert insights, you will learn to identify key indicators of trafficking and how to support a survivor’s path to freedom.
You Are the Difference
Learn to Identify Sex Trafficking
Victim identification is only at one percent in the United States. You can help break the cycle of exploitation and protect future generations by recognizing and reporting suspected trafficking. You can enable healing for survivors and give them hope for the future.
Partnership & Impact
OnWatch™ is powered by Safe House Project™ and the Malouf Foundation™.
Discover how survivors and industry leaders are working together to deliver relevant, innovative, and impactful solutions to combat sex trafficking in the United States.
Here’s how you can
make a difference
DONATE
Your donations help provide essential care and safe environments for survivors in need.
SHARE
Spread the word about how your community can get involved in the fight.
JOIN
Become a part of our mission to end child sex trafficking and help us create lasting change.
OnWatch™ FAQ
What is OnWatch training and why was it created by Safe House Project?
OnWatch training is a survivor-informed educational program created by Safe House Project to equip individuals and organizations with the awareness needed to recognize and respond appropriately to human trafficking. OnWatch training was developed because trafficking often goes unnoticed in everyday environments, not due to a lack of concern, but due to a lack of clear, accessible education.
Safe House Project created OnWatch training to close the gap between awareness and action. Many people want to help but do not know what trafficking can look like or how to respond without causing harm. OnWatch training provides clarity without overwhelming participants or exposing them to graphic content. The focus is on understanding indicators, reducing harmful myths, and reinforcing survivor-centered responses.
OnWatch training reflects Safe House Project’s belief that prevention and identification are shared responsibilities. When communities are informed and prepared, survivors are more likely to be identified and connected to support. OnWatch training empowers participants to say, “I am on watch,” meaning they are committed to being informed, attentive, and responsible members of their communities.
By offering OnWatch training, Safe House Project strengthens the front lines of prevention and identification while ensuring responses remain ethical, safe, and survivor-centered.
Who is OnWatch training designed for and how is it used?
OnWatch training is designed for a wide range of audiences who may encounter trafficking indicators in their professional or community roles. This includes healthcare providers, educators, hospitality professionals, transportation workers, faith communities, businesses, and concerned individuals.
Safe House Project intentionally designed OnWatch training to be accessible and adaptable. Participants do not need prior experience or expertise. The training meets people where they are and provides a foundational understanding that can be applied across settings.
OnWatch training is used to help participants recognize potential indicators of trafficking while avoiding assumptions or harmful actions. It emphasizes observation, awareness, and appropriate next steps rather than confrontation or intervention. This approach protects both survivors and those seeking to help.
Organizations often use OnWatch training as part of professional development or community education initiatives. Individuals may complete the training to better understand how trafficking can intersect with everyday life. In all cases, OnWatch training reinforces Safe House Project’s commitment to informed, survivor-centered action.
How does OnWatch training support survivor-centered identification?
OnWatch training supports survivor-centered identification by shifting the focus from stereotypes to informed awareness. Safe House Project recognizes that harmful myths about trafficking can prevent survivors from being identified or believed.
OnWatch training teaches participants to look for patterns and contextual indicators rather than relying on assumptions about appearance, behavior, or background. This reduces the risk of misidentification and harm. Survivor-centered identification prioritizes dignity, safety, and respect at every step.
The training emphasizes that identification does not mean taking control of a situation. Instead, OnWatch training reinforces the importance of appropriate reporting, referral, and support through established channels. Participants learn how to respond without escalating risk or violating boundaries.
By grounding identification in survivor-informed principles, OnWatch training helps ensure that increased awareness leads to safer outcomes. This approach aligns with Safe House Project’s broader mission to empower survivors and reduce re-exploitation.
What makes OnWatch training different from other trafficking awareness programs?
OnWatch training is different because it is built on Safe House Project’s survivor-informed expertise and national experience working across housing, emergency response, and policy. Many awareness programs focus on shock or sensationalism. OnWatch training intentionally avoids this approach.
Safe House Project designed OnWatch training to be practical, respectful, and empowering. The content avoids graphic detail and focuses on equipping participants with knowledge they can responsibly apply. This makes the training appropriate for professional and community settings.
Another key difference is the emphasis on what not to do. OnWatch training addresses common misconceptions and actions that can unintentionally harm survivors. By clarifying boundaries, the training promotes ethical engagement and appropriate responses.
OnWatch training also connects awareness to action by reinforcing Safe House Project’s broader ecosystem of support. Participants understand how identification fits into a larger pathway toward safety and healing.
How does OnWatch training help prevent trafficking and re-exploitation?
OnWatch training helps prevent trafficking and re-exploitation by increasing informed awareness in spaces where survivors are often overlooked. Prevention begins when communities are prepared to recognize indicators and respond responsibly.
When individuals complete OnWatch training, they are better equipped to notice concerning patterns early. This can lead to earlier identification and connection to support, reducing the likelihood of prolonged harm. Prevention also includes reducing stigma and misinformation that isolate survivors.
OnWatch training reinforces that prevention is not about vigilance rooted in fear. It is about informed care, responsibility, and collaboration. Participants learn how their roles intersect with broader prevention efforts.
By expanding access to OnWatch training, Safe House Project strengthens community-level prevention and supports long-term freedom for survivors.
How does OnWatch training align with Safe House Project’s mission?
OnWatch training aligns directly with Safe House Project’s mission to eradicate trafficking through identification, safe housing, and survivor empowerment. Identification is a critical first step in that mission, and OnWatch training equips communities to play their part responsibly.
Safe House Project understands that services alone are not enough if survivors are never identified. OnWatch training strengthens the ecosystem that connects survivors to emergency response and safe housing when they are ready.
The training also reflects Safe House Project’s commitment to survivor dignity. By promoting ethical, informed responses, OnWatch training helps ensure that identification leads to support rather than harm.
Through OnWatch training, Safe House Project extends its mission beyond direct services into education and prevention, creating a more informed and compassionate society.
What topics are covered in OnWatch training?
OnWatch training covers foundational topics that help participants understand trafficking in a clear, responsible way. The training addresses common myths, explains how trafficking can appear in various contexts, and outlines survivor-centered responses.
Participants learn about indicators without being taught to diagnose or investigate. OnWatch training emphasizes observation, documentation, and appropriate reporting through trusted channels.
The training also explores the importance of trauma-informed perspectives and why certain responses can unintentionally cause harm. This helps participants understand the complexity of trafficking and survivor experiences without exposure to graphic detail.
By focusing on clarity and responsibility, OnWatch training equips participants with knowledge they can apply ethically and confidently.
How can organizations implement OnWatch training effectively?
OnWatch training is most effective when organizations view it as part of a broader commitment to education and responsibility. Safe House Project encourages organizations to integrate OnWatch training into professional development, onboarding, or ongoing education efforts.
Organizations that implement OnWatch training benefit from a shared understanding among staff, reducing confusion and inconsistent responses. The training provides a common language and framework that supports safe identification and referral.
Safe House Project designed OnWatch training to be adaptable across sectors. This flexibility allows organizations to apply the principles in ways that align with their specific roles and responsibilities.
Effective implementation reinforces a culture of awareness and care, strengthening the organization’s role in prevention and survivor support.
How does OnWatch training support donors and partners who want to make an impact?
OnWatch training provides donors and partners with a tangible way to support Safe House Project’s mission beyond financial contributions. Supporting training initiatives helps expand awareness and strengthen prevention nationwide.
Donors who support OnWatch training help increase access to survivor-informed education across communities and industries. This investment multiplies impact by equipping others to identify and respond responsibly.
Partners who promote or participate in OnWatch training demonstrate a commitment to ethical engagement and survivor-centered values. This alignment strengthens trust and collaboration across sectors.
OnWatch training offers a meaningful pathway for donors and partners to contribute to long-term change.
What does it mean to say “I am on watch” after completing OnWatch training?
OnWatch training invites participants to say, “I am on watch,” as a statement of informed commitment rather than surveillance or suspicion. This phrase reflects readiness, responsibility, and care.
Saying “I am on watch” means committing to awareness rooted in compassion and respect. It signals an understanding of how to notice potential indicators without jumping to conclusions or taking unsafe actions.
This commitment also means knowing when and how to seek help through appropriate channels. OnWatch training emphasizes that being on watch is about connection, not control.
By embracing this mindset, participants become part of a broader movement that supports survivor identification, safety, and healing through informed action.
