Moving forward: Collaborative accompaniment of human trafficking survivors by using trauma-informed practices

Authors: Ladd, Sarah & Neufeld Weaver, Laurel

Abstract: This article proposes a paradigm shift that redefines the implementation of trauma-informed care for human-trafficking survivors. Written from the multidisciplinary perspective of the authors, the article will develop and apply four strengths-based Trauma-Informed Practices (TIPs) that service providers, academics, and policy makers can utilize in improving response to all forms of human trafficking. The TIPs envision collaborative accompaniment as a way of creating safety and reciprocity with, for, and among survivors and those who accompany them. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that anti-trafficking response should give human-trafficking survivors something to move towards, not just something from which to “escape”.

Keywords: accompaniment, anti-trafficking response, collaborative, human trafficking, legal services, mental health, multidisciplinary, service provision, strengths-based, trauma-informed care, trauma-informed practices