Things Survivors Wish You Knew About Sustained Liberation and Long-Term Recovery
People often wonder about survivors of human trafficking: Why would anyone ever go back after they’ve escaped? It can be difficult to imagine someone returning to an exploitative situation, and yet 80% of trafficking victims are revictimized after finding freedom, according to Kristi Wells of the Safe House Project.
The question we should be asking isn’t why a survivor would go back, but instead, how do we empower survivors to the level that they can achieve real, long-lasting success and live relationally healthy lives? What is necessary for survivors of exploitation to reach sustained liberation?
It all begins with meeting survivors’ needs post-exploitation: Having their basic needs met lowers the chances of revictimization. When survivors are afforded a safe and stable environment, they experience a decreased desire to seek out the fulfillment (whether emotional or financial) provided by their trafficker. There are many essential elements involved in the restoration of survivors, and the lack of post-trafficking treatment options often facilitates a cycle of disempowerment and marginalization.
There seems to be a common belief that the only thing needed for victims of trafficking is for them to physically exit the industry. But physically getting out and away from a trafficker is only the starting point. What made them vulnerable in the first place? If they are able to safely leave their trafficker but they aren’t able to find the resources to address the vulnerability that led them into an exploitative situation, they are likely to go right back to the same or a similar situation. Crisis management only goes so far.
Hannah, Citlali, Sean and Faith are survivors of human trafficking in the Dressember Community. Hannah is a Dressember blog contributor and Citlali, Sean and Faith are members of Dressember Network partner ECPAT-USA’s Survivor’s Council. Here's what they wish you know about some critical components for long-term recovery such as financial stability, education and career development, life skills, therapy, and a support system.
Survivors need financial stability.
Reaching a place of financial stability after being trafficked is perhaps the most important factor in long-term recovery. Hannah says, “Sustained liberation looks like economic security.” Economic empowerment flows into every aspect of life, including stable housing, nutritional needs, sufficient healthcare, and access to mental health services. Additionally, poverty is one of the common denominators among human trafficking victims, making financial stability a key solution to recidivism into trafficking.
In order to achieve long-term restoration, survivors must be able to financially support themselves. This looks like sustainable income as well as financial literacy programs, where survivors are able to develop financial management strategies like credit building and debt management. Teaching survivors how to budget and manage their finances, combined with providing economic opportunities and access to viable jobs, is the most effective way for survivors to reach financial stability.
Survivors need education and career development.
For many survivors, it can be difficult to secure sustainable income without furthering their education or experiencing career development programs. Citlali says, “I did not realize how important an education is until I started working. To be financially secure, I absolutely need an education.” Education and work initiatives play an important role in the healing process. Many survivors don’t have a college degree or a high school education, which makes getting a job where they are able to support themselves nearly impossible. Access to scholarships and grants are critical for helping survivors further their education.
Survivors also need more support from the corporate world in fighting trafficking and advocating for the dignity of survivors. Individuals within the corporate community can come alongside survivors and offer professional development skills that help them become employable; skills like resume building, interview etiquette, and basic computer skills. Job readiness programs, career counseling, and entrepreneurship can make a big difference in the empowerment of survivors. These types of programs help survivors pursue their professional goals and lay the groundwork for future vocational success.
Survivors need to be taught life skills.
Innovative educational and employment opportunities are critical for sustained liberation, but without necessary life skills, these opportunities can wind up being additional barriers. Most survivors of trafficking don’t have the life skills they need to function in society and be self-supporting. Megan Lundstrom, co-founder of The Avery Center and survivor leader, said, “You literally go through a period of culture shock trying to understand, ‘How do I communicate with people? How do I work in a legitimate, legal job setting? What rights do I have and how do I put forth boundaries?’ All of those things are so new.” Knowing how to cook or open a bank account seems like common knowledge, but survivors of trafficking often lack important skills necessary to be self-sufficient.
According to Faith, an important part of sustained liberation is having “someone who can teach you and help you fill the knowledge gaps in self-care, hygiene, and other things you don’t learn.” Many survivors were never given the chance to learn how to do laundry, grocery shop, or even discover a hobby. Programs to help survivors develop these skills are necessary for survivors to successfully reintegrate as contributing members of society.
Survivors need therapy.
Other life skills, like decision making and interpersonal skills, can be learned in therapy. Therapy helps provide survivors with the tools they need to cope, regulate their emotions, and manage their triggers in a healthy way. One of the biggest keys to Sean’s sustained liberation is “the ability to have continued access to counseling when I need it. It’s a rare day that I don't relive some of those events in my mind.” Therapy gives survivors a safe space to talk about their trauma. Mental health professionals help survivors identify and address trauma bonds, and help them recognize and instill healthy boundaries to build healthy relationships.
Therapy services are also crucial for addressing the mental health issues left behind by exploitation, such as depression, anxiety, and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Traffickers brutalize and objectify their victims, inflicting serious psychological damage that takes many survivors their entire lives to overcome. Ensuring survivors have access to mental health services is a critical component of long-term recovery. For Citlali, “Therapy was something that saved my life.”
Survivors need a support system.
Therapy provides critical support for survivors’ well-being, but another necessary resource for sustained liberation is a support system. During their exploitation, survivors are isolated from family, friends, and all other social circles. They live in a place of isolation. Some survivors are even excluded and ostracized once they escape their trafficking situation, cultivating a fertile environment for recidivism into the life they fought so hard to leave.
Faith highlights that it’s important for survivors to have “people who can be patient with survivors on their journey” and Sean emphasizes the importance of survivors having a place where they can “be believed and accepted.” While a lot of the trauma from trafficking is relational, there is much healing that happens in the context of relationships as well.
One of the hardest parts about exiting trafficking is that once you’re out, it can feel like everyone stops caring. After all, you’re no longer a “victim.” The anti-trafficking movement needs solutions that span outside crisis management, and beyond an initial “rescue” moment. Resources need to include financial sustainability, community networks, and opportunities for survivors to dream and thrive.
It’s important to recognize that just because someone is no longer being trafficked, this doesn’t mean they are healed. There needs to be a shift in how we treat survivors post-exploitation because so much happens after the escape. Healing is never a straight line and it’s time we commit to survivors for the long- term.
About the Author
Hannah Blair has a Bachelor’s in Sociology and is working on an MA in Social Justice and Human Rights, as well as her certification in Biblical counseling. As a survivor herself, her career end goal is to work with other trafficking survivors. She has a background in marketing and communications, social media management, and blog writing. She tells her story at churches and other events and has assisted with trainings for South Alabama law enforcement agencies. Hannah is a single mom to a rambunctious toddler who keeps her on her toes! She enjoys running, cooking, and most importantly, napping.