'Who does that? Only God': Christian couple opens first home for young male sex trafficking victims

'We started to learn and started to see that boys were forgotten.'

Christian couple builds America's first safe house for sexually abused boys - and were accused of profiting from the boys' pain.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - According to Christian Headlines, Anna Smith is a sex trafficking survivor who eventually married husband Chris Smith.

Anna worked at women's homeless shelter Hope House and the Smiths felt lead to open a home of their own.

When Emily Fitchpatrick, Hope House's founder, learned of the couple's desire to open a home, she suggested they accept boys.

Anna admitted, "This was the first time I had ever really pondered the idea of boys and men being harmed through sex trafficking. I told her that was something I didn't want to pioneer." 

After discussing the idea and attending a talk by Tina Frundt, the founder of Courtney's House, and a sex survivor herself, the Smiths reconsidered.

Frundt spoke of how boys often come to her drop-in program but she was never able to find them long-term care.

"It was in that moment Christ and I locked eyes," Anna described. "And it was an unspoken 'Yeah,' like, 'We're going to do this.' And that's when we said yes to boys."

The couple began to research and made a startling discovery. "We started to learn and started to see that boys were forgotten," Chris shared. "That their stories were real. That across America, boys, just like girls, are being sold for sex. And no one is talking about it."

The Smiths decided to build the nation's first safe home for young male victims of sex trafficking. They named their safe home The Anchor House.

The couple spent quite a bit of time deciding where to build the home and finally settled on a 10-acre plot in a rural area full of natural beauty.

The home was registered under a different name and the truth of their plans were kept from the county commissioner's office as the Smiths wanted the children to remain safe - and the location of the safe house unknown.

"There was no need for us to inform the community about the home," Anna stated. "The boys will actually be testifying against their perpetrators, and we don't want their location known. We want to be a 'you don't see us organization' ... providing safety for boys who experienced trauma and harm."

Unfortunately, the Anchor House's privacy failed to last.

Media coverage revealed the Anchor House's location and local residents began to question the Smith's legitimacy.

Neighbors wanted to know if the Anchor House would be forced to pay property taxes and what its options would be if donations stopped - would the county be expected to pay for the Anchor House? Would deputies be expected to help? If the Anchor House struggled with the boys, would deputies be forced to intervene?

Anna attempted to tell the residents the boys were not criminals, but victims of a horrific practice that continues to work in the shadows of the United States, but someone anonymously hung a banner reading "No sex trafficking lodge here" at the county line anyway, leading to other, smaller, signs popping up along main roads.

The Smiths were accused of profiting from the Anchor House, as they receive a combined salary of $60,000 from humanitarian group Restore One.

"Ten to 15 neighbors cause a really loud riot," Anna explained, "But we were naive to think everyone would welcome a boys' safe home. ... I feel like this is making history."

In an attempt to pacify their neighbors, the Smiths held several meetings for the community where they outlined their plans and reasons for the safe house. The home would only house a maximum of twelve boys at a time, but each would be referred by law enforcement and advocacy groups across the country. 

Each child would pass drug screens and personality evaluations. None would be from the local community and the facility would be run by volunteers, night guards and a $12,000 security system complete with cameras to help monitor the goings-on.

Several members of the community have resigned themselves to the fact that the Anchor House is not to be stopped and have accepted it will open later this year despite opposition.

The Anchor House is a 4,430-square-foot facility boasting a two-story main building and a 1,639-square-foot cottage. Anchor House is currently debt-free thanks to private donors.

"Who does that?" Anna asked. "Only God."

The Smiths are attempting to raise an additional $400,0000 to cover maintenance costs for the Anchor House and believe God will make it happen.

There is always another faith journey," Anna admitted. "This is just one more wait in faith."

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