Survivor Speak

The National Survivor Study used the experience and expertise from survivors to create a detailed picture of the arc of trafficking.

The findings of the National Survivor Study tell the story of survivors after they exit their exploitation – and it’s the first time this story is being told.

The language we use when talking about human trafficking can be triggering to survivors and preventing victims from recognizing they're in a trafficking situation. It's past time we listen to survivors and develop survivor-centered language.

Guest Blog by Survivor-Advocate Annika Huff Our stories are powerful. When I share my story, audience members often tell me that hearing someone’s real-life experience, in their own words, changes the way they connect to the issue. This is not unique to the work of reducing and preventing human trafficking and supporting survivors. Any successful … Continued

Keyana Marshall was just 15 when she was manipulated into selling sex by a female trafficker she originally went to work for as a babysitter. Throughout her teen years she was passed from one trafficker to another. Finally, law enforcement stepped in. But for Keyana, that only made things worse. She wound up serving nearly … Continued

The National Survivor Study is live. If you are a survivor of human trafficking, please consider participating in this one of a kind study.

In the hands of human traffickers, love is one of the most powerful weapons. That's why it is important to be THAT friend - the one who understands the difference between love and trafficking and has hard conversations with loved ones you are concerned about when necessary.

Survivors of human trafficking are the real experts in the anti-trafficking movement and Polaris is already seeing the benefits of the National Survivor Study.

The Debt Bondage Repair Act creates a process through which survivors can provide information and have adverse credit information resulting from their trafficking experience removed from their credit report.

The National Survivor Study flips the traditional dynamics of social science research on its head, working with survivors as true partners in every step along the way.

This toolkit contains social media graphics and videos available for download to share with your networks and audiences to help them understand the grooming process and how sex trafficking really happens.

The National Survivor Study, an innovative and scientifically rigorous new project, will be designed from start to finish in close collaboration with survivors, who are the experts in their own experiences.