Awareness Without Re-Exploitation: Empowering Approaches to Sharing the Message About Human Trafficking

Authors: Countryman-Roswurm, Karen & Patton Brackin, Bailey

Abstract: Human trafficking is a very real and devastating form of abuse and exploitation that affects women, men, and children from all walks of life. Within the last two decades, media personnel, multidisciplinary professionals, and concerned citizens alike have taken note of this social-justice issue. Due to such increased interest, an unprecedented number of people are engaged in awareness efforts that claim to combat human trafficking. While most involved in such efforts are well intentioned, few are intentional. Acts of awareness undertaken by allies are often harmful to the very victims and survivors they are declaring need to be “rescued.” In the name of anti-trafficking awareness, survivors are frequently re-exploited. Rather than being recognized or compensated as experts and leaders in the anti-trafficking movement, survivors are taken advantage of in the pursuit of a story that has emotional pull. Thus, in response to the increasing rates of re-exploitation of survivors who are asked to share their stories with little thought to the context or effects of doing so, this article provides guidance on how to share the message of human trafficking in a manner that is empowering to survivors. Recommendations uniquely directed toward survivors, social service agencies, and media personnel are proposed.

Keywords: anti-trafficking movement, exploitation, human trafficking, stories, survivor