Human Trafficking Survivors
Supporting access to new, clean undergarments through trusted community partners.
Understanding Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is the exploitation of adults or children for forced labor or commercial sex. Traffickers may use force, fraud, coercion, threats, manipulation, or control to exploit another person. It can happen in homes, workplaces, businesses, agriculture, hospitality, domestic service, and the commercial sex trade—and it affects people of different ages, genders, and backgrounds.
When someone enters a shelter, transitional program, or other supportive service, they may have limited access to clothing and personal belongings. New, clean undergarments are a basic but frequently overlooked necessity that can support hygiene, comfort, privacy, and everyday routines.
The Undie Chest does not provide rescue, emergency intervention, housing, or case-management services. We provide new undergarments through trusted trafficking-response organizations, shelters, advocacy groups, nonprofits, and community partners that understand each person’s circumstances and identify the items and sizes needed.
Essential Items Requested by Partner Organizations
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New Bras
People leaving trafficking situations may have little or no access to their personal belongings, including bras that fit properly. Some may arrive at shelters or support programs wearing the same clothing for an extended period or without a safe way to retrieve what they left behind. A new bra provides needed coverage, comfort, and support during medical appointments, court appearances, work, school, and the transition into safer housing.
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New Underwear
Traffickers may control a person’s clothing, money, transportation, and access to basic necessities. When someone enters emergency housing or a trafficking-response program, new underwear may be one of the first personal essentials they need. Clean, properly fitting underwear supports hygiene, privacy, and physical comfort when a person may have few belongings of their own.
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New T-Shirts/Undershirts
People leaving exploitation may need immediate clothing for shelter stays, appointments, employment, school, travel, or transitional housing. New T-shirts and undershirts provide clean coverage and a practical layer beneath other clothing. They can also be used as sleepwear when someone has arrived with limited clothing.
How Support Reaches Survivors
The Undie Chest works with trafficking-response organizations, shelters, advocacy groups, nonprofits, and community partners that provide direct services to adults, teens, and children affected by human trafficking or exploitation.
These organizations understand the circumstances of the people they serve and identify the specific sizes, styles, and quantities needed. The Undie Chest then helps provide new, clean undergarments that partners can distribute as part of their broader support services.
We do not provide rescue, emergency intervention, housing, legal assistance, or case management. Our role is to help trusted organizations meet an often-overlooked need with practical essentials that support hygiene, comfort, privacy, and everyday routines.
Human Trafficking Is Often Hidden
In 2024, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified 11,999 trafficking cases involving 21,865 potential victims across the United States. These cases included both sex trafficking and labor trafficking.
These numbers reflect only the situations reported to and identified by the Hotline. They do not represent every person experiencing trafficking, because many cases remain hidden, unreported, or unidentified.
Help Provide an Essential Need
Survivors entering shelters, advocacy programs, or transitional housing may need basic essentials immediately. The Undie Chest works with trusted partner organizations to provide new, clean undergarments in the sizes and styles requested.
Financial donations help us respond more effectively by supporting the purchase, preparation, and delivery of these essential items where they are needed most.
Businesses and retailers with new inventory can also support this work through our Retailer Partnerships program.
Read About How Your Donations Make An Impact
