In the fight against human trafficking, survivors often find themselves at the forefront; sharing their stories, advocating for change, and offering crucial insights into anti-trafficking work. Sadly, despite their invaluable contributions, survivors are frequently marginalized, underrepresented, and underappreciated within the sector. This has not only harmed the community of survivors who are seeking to be seen as more than–it also has harmed the anti-trafficking movement by creating an environment historically that doesn’t necessarily know what survivors need.
This has largely been my experience over the past decade working in this sector. Thankfully, it seems like there is a shift being made towards empowering survivors as leaders.
I was in discussion with a group of advocates and one made a brilliant statement: We don’t need to advocate for survivors. We just need to give them the microphone because they can advocate for themselves. As a survivor-leader myself, this was one of the most affirming and authentic statements I’ve heard an ally make.
We have voices!
Not only do we have voices, we want to use them.
Not only do we have voices we want to use, we deserve to be compensated for using them.
When we create spaces for survivors to use their voices (as well as fostering spaces for those voices to be heard) we go beyond just advocating for survivors and are partnering with them to create inclusive and holistic approaches to the anti-trafficking sector. This approach includes creating financial independence for survivors who are not just willing, equipped, and able to do the work, but already doing it.
Underrepresented, Underpaid, and Underappreciated
Survivors of human trafficking face numerous barriers as they seek to rebuild their lives and contribute to the fight against trafficking. One of the most glaring issues is the lack of representation within organizations and decision-making processes dedicated to combating trafficking. Too often, survivor voices are tokenized or sidelined, reducing their input to mere checkboxes rather than genuine contributions.
Additionally, survivors are often underpaid or not compensated at all for their expertise and labor. This only adds to the financial instability and cycle of exploitation that not just individuals face as victims of human trafficking but also as survivors of it. Despite the wealth of knowledge and experience they possess, survivors, if given space at all, are often limited to consulting roles or short-term contracts. Although I want to point out here that these short-term roles are important–they should not be all survivors are invited to participate in. Many survivors who work these consultancy roles are not offered benefits (such as health insurance), are only taken for short-term periods, and there is a high potential for gaps in work that do not offer financial independence. This lack of financial stability perpetuates cycles of vulnerability and dependency, hindering survivors' ability to thrive beyond their exploitation.
Moreover, and worst of all, the contributions of survivors are sometimes undervalued or dismissed altogether. Their unique perspectives and insights are essential for developing effective strategies and policies to prevent trafficking and support survivors. Yet, all too often, their voices are drowned out by those who have not experienced trafficking firsthand.
Survivors: Experts in Their Own Right
Survivors bring a wealth of expertise to the table, far beyond their lived experiences of trafficking. Many have acquired skills and knowledge through education, work experience, and personal growth. Their resilience, adaptability, and determination in overcoming immense challenges demonstrate their capability to excel in various roles within the anti-trafficking sector.
The gap between what a traditional resume might say and what survivor-leaders are equipped to do becomes problematic when considering survivors as experts. The journey from survivorship to leadership is one that cannot be disregarded and certainly should be held and just as high of a regard as other forms of education.
By acknowledging survivors as experts in their own right, we can tap into their diverse talents and perspectives to drive meaningful change. Survivors possess a deep understanding of the complexities of trafficking and its impact on individuals and communities. Their insights are invaluable for developing survivor-centered approaches that prioritize empowerment, healing, and justice. Without this area of expertise we are sorely lacking. Any organization within the sector that does not work hand-in-hand with the expertise of survivor-leaders cannot fully serve survivors of trafficking.
I like to use the example of a surgeon–certainly, we all want our doctor to have their formal education and academic credentials. It would be ill-advised to see a doctor who doesn’t have a license. However, very few of us would like to hear that the doctor we are seeing has never performed surgery before and doesn’t really know what surgery, in reality, entails. We certainly would much more highly regard the opinion of a surgeon who has had a decade of experience performing surgeries over one who has not yet had the opportunity to perform one. This idea transfers to many occupations and sectors–so why do we not view the lived experience of survivors in the same way?
Shifting the Paradigm: From Survivor-Leaders to Leaders
Survivor-leader is a term that has been gaining popularity over the last few years. When I first started my advocacy efforts as a survivor there was no such thing as a “survivor-leader.” While the term deserves its space in the sector, it hasn’t always lived up to its title.
The definition of a leader is, “the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country.” More simply, it can be expressed as “the one in charge.” In my experience, sadly, survivors who are in the space of “survivor-leadership” are very seldom in charge or the one who commands a group or organization. Oftentimes, when people use the term “survivor-leader” they are really meaning a leader-survivor. The limited capacity for survivors who seek to lead are granted but only so far as to lead within a group of survivors (versus the group as a whole). We often offer spaces of leadership within the circle of survivors–sadly, it is very limited and does not express leadership into the entire anti-trafficking sector. When we look at all of the organizations serving survivors and their roles and positions of full-time leadership, survivors are greatly underrepresented.
It's time to challenge the prevailing notion that survivors should be relegated to the sidelines as mere consultants or advisors. Survivors deserve to occupy positions of leadership and influence within the anti-trafficking movement, guiding policies, programs, and initiatives with their first hand expertise and vision for change. It is easy to hire a survivor at the end of a project to “check” the work of others in the sector; however, this still demeans survivor-leaders to sideline roles. Survivors should be developing policies, leading change, and making decisions–not just advising those who are making decisions.
Empowering survivors to assume leadership roles not only honors their resilience and agency but also strengthens the effectiveness and legitimacy of anti-trafficking efforts. By centering survivor voices and leadership, we can ensure that our strategies are informed, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of those most affected by trafficking.
Survivors deserve better than temporary contracts, unpaid roles, or token gestures of inclusion. They deserve meaningful opportunities for career advancement, financial stability, and recognition of their contributions. This means creating pathways for survivors to access leadership positions within organizations, providing competitive salaries and benefits, and fostering a culture of respect and appreciation for survivor expertise. This additionally includes marginalized voices within the survivor-leader space, specifically with BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and disabled voices that often are even more overlooked.
Additionally, survivors should have consistent and meaningful representation in decision-making bodies, ensuring that their perspectives are not only heard but also prioritized in shaping anti-trafficking policies and practices. It's time to dismantle the barriers that prevent survivors from fully participating in and leading the movement to end human trafficking.
Survivors of human trafficking are not passive bystanders in the fight against exploitation and injustice. They are resilient and resourceful leaders who bring invaluable expertise and insight to the table. By empowering survivors to transition from survivors (and survivor-leaders) to leaders, we can build a more inclusive, effective, and survivor-centered approach to combating human trafficking. It's time to elevate survivor voices, recognize their expertise, and demand better opportunities for leadership and recognition within the anti-trafficking sector.
Comments