Counter Trafficking
Human trafficking remains a persistent and complex problem in North Carolina, driven in part by the state’s major interstate corridors, ports, and growing population centers. Traffickers exploit economic vulnerability, housing insecurity, and prior trauma to coerce victims into labor or sexual exploitation. Many survivors are minors or individuals already connected to the child welfare or criminal justice systems. While North Carolina has strengthened laws and task forces aimed at prosecution and victim identification, gaps remain in prevention, coordinated data sharing, survivor services, and long-term recovery support, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Domestic Voilence
Domestic violence affects families and communities in every region of North Carolina and often intersects with poverty, substance abuse, and generational trauma. Survivors face barriers such as limited access to safe housing, financial dependence on abusers, and fear of retaliation. Although local shelters and advocacy organizations provide critical emergency services, long-term solutions like transitional housing, legal assistance, and trauma-informed counseling are often underfunded or unavailable. Strengthening protective policies, improving enforcement consistency, and expanding survivor-centered resources remain key challenges for the state.
Mental Health
North Carolina continues to face a significant mental health crisis marked by provider shortages, long wait times, and limited access to care, especially in rural communities. Trauma from domestic violence and human trafficking frequently results in depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders, yet the behavioral health system is often fragmented and difficult to navigate. Stigma and cost further discourage individuals from seeking help. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated policy solutions that expand the workforce, integrate mental health care with social services, and prioritize early intervention and trauma-informed treatment statewide.