About Us

A Comprehensive Approach to Combatting Human Trafficking

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Volunteers holding the SAFE center sign

The University of Maryland SAFE Center is dedicated to empowering survivors of human trafficking. Through comprehensive, trauma-informed care, we support survivors on their journey to healing. Through collaboration with community and business partners, we are working to reduce vulnerabilities to trafficking and uplift survivors.

University of Maryland MPowering the State

University of Maryland MPowering the State Logo

The SAFE Center is an initiative of the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State – a collaboration between the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP).

Through MPower, the SAFE Center is able to leverage the intellectual and clinical expertise of schools across both campuses to enhance the services we provide and our research. Each year, the SAFE Center offers experiential learning opportunities through internships and fellowships for University System of Maryland students.

Partnering for Change

Public and private partnerships are crucial to the SAFE Center’s mission. Our partners provide important expertise and services on legal matters and in other professional capacities, enabling us to scale the impact of our work. The SAFE Center holds leadership roles on state and local task forces and among our communities, bringing together a mix of stakeholders to prevent human trafficking and support survivors. Our partners also facilitate survivors’ professional development by offering apprenticeships, internships, and job training opportunities. Students engage in this critical work alongside SAFE Center staff through participation in hands-on volunteer and internship experiences.

Empowering Survivors

Empowering Survivors

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Two Interns standing in line at aldi with food for food drive
Our Mission

The University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment (SAFE) Center for Human Trafficking Survivors provides survivor-centered and trauma-informed services that empower trafficking survivors to heal and reclaim their lives. The SAFE Center aims to prevent trafficking and better serve survivors through policy advocacy, research, and prevention initiatives.

Our Vision

The SAFE Center envisions a world where every person is empowered to live free from exploitation.