Survivor Speak

For many survivors of commercial exploitation and trafficking, social media has been an integral part of their recovery process as well as a way to network and grow professionally.

More than three-quarters of survivors surveyed by Polaris in 2017 reported that they used internet platforms during their exploitation.

Despite the anti-trafficking community’s great strides to create a safety net for survivors, there are still many systematic and inadvertent barriers that block survivors from accessing the critical housing they need.

Many domestic violence (DV) programs have come to understand the profound similarities in the experiences of DV and human trafficking. Both situations are rooted in power and control.  Survivors in both are often hurt by someone they see as an intimate partner. Both can face similar cycles of violence. And both often face a need for safe, emergency housing.

"As a victim, survivor, and now, community member, I’m here to tell you that we can all join in the fight against human trafficking if we don’t stay silent." In the final part of her story, Carmen shares a message for survivors and community members. 

En ese momento, yo me encontraba en un punto en el que confiar y desconfiar era lo mismo. Ya no me importaba morir o vivir, ni tampoco lo que le pasara a mi familia. Tenía que arriesgarme. Entonces les dije un poco de lo que me estaba sucediendo, sin importarme si me creían o no, pero sí me ayudaron.  Lee la cuarta parte de la historia de Carmen.

"I was at such a low point where trusting and distrusting were the same. I no longer cared if I lived or died, or if something happened to my family. I had to take the risk."  Read part four of Carmen's story. 

"'No!' I said once again, and suddenly, that so-called 'great guy,' who had promised he wouldn't hurt me, turned into a monster." Carmen shares part three of her story.