Three lessons we’ve learned from listening to survivors:
Three lessons we’ve learned from listening to survivors:
- We need to know the story vs. “the signs.”
For years, the anti-trafficking field focused on the public’s role of noticing and reporting “signs” that a person is in a trafficking situation.
As our understanding of the crime has evolved, we now know that without context, these “signs” often aren’t meaningful ways to spot trafficking.
Instead of looking for “signs,” people can help by listening to true survivor stories to understand how trafficking really happens.
- Words matter.
Everyone is horrified by human trafficking. And we all want to prevent it from happening to anyone.
The language we use to describe human trafficking shapes public perception of what it looks like. But sometimes, our language can spread a false story of how — and to whom — trafficking happens.
These false stories harm victims and survivors, sometimes preventing them from even recognizing when they’re in a trafficking situation. They might not seek out available support services because they’re unaware it applies to them.
Instead, by sharing stories about how trafficking typically happens, we raise awareness of the structural challenges that leave too many people vulnerable to traffickers.
- This work isn’t about “saving” or “rescuing.”
Speaking of language, we must recognize that trafficking survivors are courageous and resilient. When we use terms like "rescue," "save," and "set free," we overlook the reality that survivors most often escape trafficking situations on their own and then seek help!
We must keep survivors empowered and at the center of all we do to fight trafficking, to tailor our services to reality.
We know you want to make a difference! So to learn more and help spread the word for Human Trafficking Awareness Month with a video message, quotes from survivors, blog posts, and hashtags for social media use, please visit our Listen to Survivors page.
And thank you for joining this fight!
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