She stands quietly in our clothing closet, her youngest on her hip, the other two close enough to touch her legs. The room is small and warm, shelves lined with folded jeans and soft shirts, shoes in careful rows along the wall. Nothing about the space is dramatic. And yet, this moment matters more than most people will ever know.

Every January, conversations about human trafficking surge. We share posts. We learn statistics. We remind one another that this is happening closer than we think.

Awareness matters. But it has never been enough.

As the CEO of a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and restoring victims of human trafficking, I have witnessed how societal and political shifts influence criminal activity. As we approach the establishment of a new U.S. President, I believe we are on the brink of a significant surge in trafficking activity.