Where did we come from and where are we going?

Domestic Freedom was originally formed in 2015 and operated within the ministries of Bridgepoint Mission Center, a church located in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.  The purpose of the ministry was to raise awareness of sex trafficking domestically in the state of Wisconsin.  Mike Kaether is the ministry leader and now executive director of Domestic Freedom Corporation.  He has a passion to end sex trafficking domestically, specifically in Wisconsin.  He is a member of the Wisconsin Anti-Human Trafficking Consortium in Madison, Wisconsin.  He is also a trained advocate of Fierce Freedom, a Wisconsin nonprofit that works to end the cycle of human trafficking and exploitation through educational programming that empowers communities and speaks to the work and dignity of each individual.  In 2024, Domestic Freedom expanded its focus to include pressing current social issues including sex trafficking, domestic violence, food insecurity, homelessness and bullying in schools. These additional social issues feed into and exacerbate the issue of sex trafficking. “Survivor Sex” occurs when the victims feel they have no other option to attain basic needs such as food and shelter than to succumb to the force, fraud and coercion of those taking advantage of them.

One of the key goals of Domestic Freedom is to raise awareness of sex trafficking in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin and surrounding communities.  Domestic Freedom has takes a multi-pronged approach at raising awareness.

 Awareness training -   Beginning in 2016, Mike has provided awareness training for sex trafficking in Wisconsin to numerous Wisconsin churches, other non profit organizations and in-home small groups.  The primary focus has been in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin and surrounding communities.  Over the years, the training has expanded to include travel to the southern parts of, Wisconsin.   Utilizing the resources from trusted sources such as The Polaris Project, Thorn, Shared Hope International, Fierce Freedom and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, these awareness trainings are designed to educate the public on the prevalence of sex trafficking across all counties in Wisconsin, including Wisconsin Dells and its surrounding communities. Participants learn statistics of who it affects, where it happens, methods of exposure, and how to recognize the signs of sex trafficking and be empowered to take appropriate action to report it. 

Distribution of rack cards - Beginning in 2020, with the purpose of educating the general public on the prevalence of sex trafficking in all 72 counties in Wisconsin, Domestic Freedom partnered with a local marketing and advertising company that also provides brochure distribution to print and distribute rack cards.  These rack cards contain Wisconsin sex trafficking statistics, signs, symptoms and suggested actions.  Current distribution areas include Wisconsin Dells, Lake Delton, Castle Rock Lake and Lake Wisconsin tourist areas, rest stops in Columbia County and Metro Madison areas in Wisconsin.  Distribution of these rack cards raises awareness of Wisconsin sex trafficking and has the ability to reach millions of individuals who visit the distribution locations annually. 

 Awareness advertising - Beginning in 2023, with the purpose of bringing awareness to the general public on the prevalence of sex trafficking in Wisconsin, Domestic Freedom partnered with a local marketing and advertising company to design and print advertising in the Dells Summer Travel Guide.  325,000 copies of this guide are distributed throughout Wisconsin annually.