By The Human Trafficking Program Team
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month! At My Sisters’ Place, we see many human trafficking survivors, and know that there are many misconceptions about the topic. It is crucial in our role as case managers and advocates to share information about the subject of human trafficking and share how our survivors find ways to heal as they move forward in their lives.
Based on the federal definitions of human trafficking, there are typically two types: sex and labor. Survivors of trafficking may have suffered either type or both. Sex trafficking can be defined as “the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act.” Labor trafficking is “the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.” While sex trafficking can seem easier to recognize, it is important to be knowledgeable of both types of trafficking to be able to help survivors. Human trafficking includes the use of FORCE, FRAUD, OR COERCION, as a means to a purpose. It is important to also note that trafficking can happen to anyone. We encourage anyone who feels they are a survivor of trafficking to reach out to our hotline for more information and resources.
In our Human Trafficking Program, we have continued our work with our survivors of human trafficking throughout this pandemic. Our team works with our clients by providing resources, referrals, and emotional support. As difficult as things have been, our clients have shown immense strength and heart. They continue to thrive even in the most strenuous of circumstances. In our program, we see our clients come together in peer-support groups to share their experiences and find ways to heal. Our clients also use creative outlets such as painting, poetry, and writing that provide a way to show their experiences and connect with themselves and their community. We are privileged to be able to work with our survivors and strive to continue sharing the importance of the work with those around us.
Ready to spread awareness about Human Trafficking? Share this blog post on social media with #HumanTraffickingAwarenessMonth, tag us, and get your community involved! Support us in bringing survivors justice and freedom in their journey to safety.