Leaders of the Christian Ministry of Human Trafficking are trekking in three US states, along with pet goats named “freedom” to raise money for trafficked women.
35-year-old Britney Higgs, the child of four, and both the founder and chief executive of her campaign aims to raise $580,000 through her “walk for her” hiking trek, reflecting $1,000 walking with a goat during her quest to raise awareness of the issue. According to her campaign, the funds allow the ministry to bring recovery and healing to human trafficking survivors.
“Anything is possible if you can train a baby goat and travel together for 580 miles,” Britney said.
Higgs began her journey on Tuesday (July 1) at the Campaign Safe House in Billings, Montana, founded in 2016. When Denver arrives at Denver’s shelter, freedom becomes a therapy animal for human trafficking survivors.
Higgs believed walking with goats showed the world “anything is possible” after months of hard workouts for long walks.
“Freedom walks the allocated amounts that a baby goat can handle, travelling with a stroller and support crew throughout the journey. Who doesn’t love a baby goat?” Higgs said.
Supporters and friends line up at various route points along the journey to encourage Higgs and freedom. They cuddle together and sleep in a Higgs RV driven by husband Sammy.
“Every step is a reminder of the need for a national move to see all survivors and children access and heal and walk freely in safe housing,” Higgs said. “Together, we’ll see it happen.”
Higgs began the campaign after visiting Iraq in 2015 and collaborating with women who were trafficked by ISIS Islamic extremists. She discovered that trafficking issues have increased in the United States and has since developed a support program to provide emergency care to human trafficking survivors. Higgs, her husband Sammy and her children live on two sites, Montana and Colorado, and support staff.
“Her campaign came from a deep encounter with God’s heart, where he broke my heart and put a strain on me and my husband to step into the fight against human trafficking and create a safe place for survivors to encounter healing and recovery,” explained Higgs.
Human trafficking is a widespread and deeply troubling issue in the US and worldwide, and homeland security investigations have revealed exploitation in bars, massage parlours, hotels, truck stops and online platforms. According to the International Labour Organization, 27.6 million people were trafficked worldwide in 2021, with most victims forced to work or sexually exploit.
In 2023, the National Trafficking Hotline recorded thousands of lawsuits involving both adults and minors, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received nearly 28,000 reports of child sex trafficking.
Motivated by their Christian faith, her campaign aims to not only provide safe housing and counseling to human trafficking survivors, but also to raise public awareness and supportive prevention efforts.
“Our mission is to bring heaven to earth, as Jesus taught us to pray. It means cultivating a space where women and children can learn not only physical safety, but true freedom through Jesus’ love through spiritual, spiritual and eternal restoration.”
