You may know me as Ashley Judd, actor. Today, I write as Ashley Judd, ambassador for Polaris and survivor of sexual violence.
Like many trafficking survivors, my childhood was far from ideal. A man first sexually abused me at age seven. And I lived on my own for two years as a girl.
I was at risk of being trafficked. I have lived with vulnerabilities and trauma. So I stand with survivors of trafficking today.
Earlier this year, I helped launch the Polaris Resilience Fund, a cash assistance program that just sent its first payments to 24 survivors! Check out this two-minute clip, filmed at our celebration:
I may be a performer by trade, but I love that survivors do not have to perform their trauma to receive this essential support.
Polaris trusts survivors as the experts of their own experience. Polaris trusts their agency. We know healing takes time and space — and that’s what the Resilience Fund gives survivors.
I was fortunate to have the luxury of taking time off work to get treatment. EVERY survivor should have the same chance to transform their trauma, so they no longer transfer it to other areas of their lives or to others.
So I'm proud to partner with Polaris as they respond to survivors' needs and work to prevent human trafficking before it happens.
P.S. I'm grateful to be part of this movement with you. Will you play an even greater role supporting survivors? Until December 31, a MATCH doubles your gift! Every dollar makes a difference.
