Background:

How can advocates help survivors and those still in trafficking situations leave, and begin healing? Today we look at five ways we can start promoting and advocating for holistic healing for survivors and those with lived experience.

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. It’s not so scary that you can’t get involved

  • Anyone and everyone can be an ally in the movement. You don’t need special training to amplify survivor voices and advocate for equality.

• 2. “You’re not a victim - you were victimized”

  • Language and the way we use it is so important. Don’t use victim-blaming language or tell someone how they are supposed to feel. Rather explain what happened to them is wrong, but it doesn’t define who they are.

• 3. The healing process looks different for everyone and we shouldn’t judge how someone heals

  • All people are different and everyone’s exploitation is different, therefore the healing process looks different. We can’t assume we know better and force people to heal from their traumas.

• 4. Being kind, patient, and consistent can change everything.

  • Consistency is key. For most in ‘the life’, chaos and inconsistency are the norm. Being a person someone can consistently count on to be there, listen, and show support on whatever level is so important. That consistency might be what inspires someone to reach out for help.

• 5. Don't project your limitation of their experience or invalidate theirs. Don’t tell them what their experience is. Let them tell you what it was.

  • Allow all the different emotions to go through the body. Don’t make them hold onto anger, fear, sadness, or hold on to it for them.

Action: Spread the word!

• We’ve learned so much about what it means to work in this movement and empower survivors. Let’s now empower ourselves and others and take action to better help survivors and prevent further exploitation.

• Share these ways with others to gather more advocates and grow the movement!