January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Throughout the month, it is our goal to shed light on the truths of human trafficking and share some survivors’ experiences.
The below Q&A is between a member of the MSP staff and a survivor of human trafficking with whom we work closely. We are incredibly grateful for her thoughtful insights and for being an inspiration for others.
What is something that you wish the community knew about human trafficking?
Human trafficking isn’t always someone being lured somewhere or something out of the movie Taken. It can be a family member or friend who manipulates and deceives you. Sometimes it can take months before you realize you are being trafficked because you were manipulated into believing in something or doing anything for the approval of someone you care for.
Some women who are trafficked still have contact with the outside world. A lot of traffickers manipulate their victims into believing you want this lifestyle, or you are so scared of them that you can’t trust reaching out to others for help. It isn’t always a “locked in a basement, chained to a wall” situation.
What role does social media play with trafficking?
I met one of my traffickers through social media. We became friends. We FaceTimed all the time and became close for almost 2 years before I was lured into being trafficked. Nowadays more than ever, social media is an escape for a lot of people. We blog about our lives and find people who can relate to our traumas/situations and that’s where a lot of traffickers hide. They get to know you. They follow what you post and try to figure out how vulnerable you are. They pretend to relate to you so you can let your guard down.
Do you feel that parents can play a role with helping their kids learn about trafficking?
100%. It’s out there and it is very real but isn’t always taught about correctly. Yes, you can teach your kids to be aware of their surroundings, never go somewhere unsafe alone, carry pepper spray, etc. – but it is just as equally important to teach your children about the predators who can be friends or family. Let your child know what toxic and manipulative behaviors can look like and to always trust their gut instinct.
How has receiving support helped shaped your life?
It has shown me that I’m not alone. My traffickers broke me down. They made me feel like no one loved me. They convinced me I had no future outside of their world. I had and still have the support to heal from my traumas and learn to love myself because I am loved, and my life is so much bigger than what I went through.
What thoughts would you like to share?
If you escape trafficking, it is normal to feel like you want to go back. Reach out to MSP for help…When I was saved, I wanted more than anything to go back. I was convinced that was my home. It didn’t matter how much I hated doing it, or that I was beaten, starved, given drugs and raped. In my head, that place was all I deserved and my traffickers loved me. It took me months to unpack all the trauma and realize that I was a victim. I felt so much guilt and shame for years because I felt I wasn’t a victim because a part of me loved my traffickers. It wasn’t love, I had Stockholm Syndrome.
Many victims who survive trafficking go on to use drugs, prostitute or enter unhealthy relationships. I didn’t have respect for myself after being trafficked. I was promiscuous and angry. I felt sex was the only way to gain control and the only valuable thing I had was my body. It took a lot of therapy, support and self-care to get back what I lost and learn to truly love myself.
The first step in healing is realizing you need help and making sure you get it. I can proudly say that with hard work and prayers, I kicked my addiction, met the love of my life and have a beautiful child. I am no longer who I was but I carry that girl with me everyday as a reminder that I deserve every good thing I have in my life because I became everything my traffickers said I wouldn’t and I beat the statistics.
What are some possibilities that lie ahead for survivors who receive support?
You can heal. You can get your confidence back, your life back. It’s okay to need help. It’s okay to feel fine one day and the next day be in pieces. But you will heal. And you deserve the amazing things in life you were programmed to believe could never be yours. The possibilities are endless if you’re willing to take the leap.
If you think that you or someone you know are being trafficking, MSP is here to help:
- Call our 24-hour hotline at 1-800-298-SAFE (7233)
- Text (914) 600-4208 (Monday-Saturday, 10am-10pm)
- Chat with us here (Monday-Saturday, 10am-10pm)
- Call 914-683-1333 and ask to speak to someone in our Human Trafficking Program (regular business hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)
- Email htdepartment@mspny.org
- Call 911 if in immediate danger