Background:

We’ve learned so far this month that someone exiting a trafficking situation doesn’t magically make them all better and safe. There are multiple steps, necessary support, and life-long journeys that must be taken to heal from the trauma endured.

Action: Listen to Survivors

• In an interview with Rayanne Irving, Lived Experience Leader, she gives her top 5 important things to understand when it comes to life after one’s exited their trafficking situation. Check out the full interview here.

• 1. Importance of understanding everyone’s experiences are different

  • No two situations or two people are exactly alike. We cannot assume we know their experience and what they need better than they do.

• 2. Importance of the environment

  • For most of those who have been in the life, chaos feels safe and safety feels threatening. They may be deprived of nutrition or perhaps their sleep schedule is completely off from working nights. It may take time getting used to a "new normal"

• 3. Importance of acceptance

  • Ensure they are safe, accepted, and they don’t have to be scared of themselves no matter what they’ve done. We can be and do all the things others have despite our past.

• 4. Importance of working with self-mastery or ‘moving mediation’

  • Being able to have body autonomy and master over the work you’re doing can be extremely helpful in healing from our past. This can be through working with animals, dancing, cooking, kickboxing, etc

• 5. Importance of providing choices

  • You wanna help someone? Tell them what you can offer. Don’t tell them what they need. Ask questions like "where would you feel safest? what do you need? how can I support you?"

Action: Takeaway - 5 Reasons

• Share these 5 reasons survivor holistic care is important with friends and family for donations and support as we help the survivors we assist in our network!