Beyond Survivors: from surviving to thriving – building a life beyond survival

Survivor inclusion

The needs and experiences of survivors are unique and instrumental to all discussions related to programs, policies and legislation in the field of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. When human trafficking legislation is passed without due diligence and without the strategic sounding board of those who have been impacted by it, it can risk causing harm instead of protection and support.

Additionally, failure to adequately utilize survivor knowledge results in missing systemic issues and root causes that contribute to trafficking of victims and thereby, designing interventions that fail to reflect the reality of victims’ lived experiences. Moreover, the quality and effectiveness of support programs cannot be evaluated without active involvement of survivors who can reflect on the various aspects of the program to help improve it and ensure that programs are effective, and trauma informed as well as culturally sensitive for relevant groups.

Unfortunately, meaningful survivor inclusion in the field has been limited so far. Survivors have repeatedly been viewed only as victims and not as experts and their interventions have often been limited to sharing the stories of their exploitation. Furthermore, even where they have been invited to the table, their participation has not been meaningful and often merely tokenistic, with their interventions being valued in terms of sharing their experiences, but not their expertise and their work is generally not compensated. To change this, survivor movements at national, regional and international levels have been working hard and demanding stronger representation in decisions that impact them.

Today, survivors are starting to become leaders in the anti-trafficking movement; they are part of community-based networks, connecting, and drawing strength from their own bitter experiences to help protect vulnerable people. Networks of survivor leaders are increasingly at the forefront talking about the issues faced by survivors and where the system lacks in supporting those in need. Their efforts in advocating for a trauma-sensitive approach were recognized in the 2021 US TiP report which encouraged incorporation of survivor voices into trauma-informed practices within organizations.

Moreover, in 2021, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) launched the International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Board (ISTAC), consisting of 21 leading survivors of human trafficking from across the OSCE; the ISTAC is tasked with assisting ODIHR’s work in combating trafficking in human beings through survivor expertise and leadership and this year OSCE, in consultation with ISTAC and other stakeholder published a Code of Practice for Ensuring the Rights of Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking with the objective of providing guidance to Governments on ways to ensure the inclusion of victims and survivor’s voices and their full engagement on all anti-trafficking responses.

Despite these positive developments however, survivor inclusion still needs to be institutionalized in a structured and responsible way.

This is why we have established Beyond Survivors.

We have the expertise

Survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking have unique insights into the challenges they face, the strategies employed by traffickers, and the vulnerabilities of victims. Our firsthand experiences lend authenticity and credibility to the fight against these crimes. When survivors are included in discussions, policymaking, and awareness campaigns, our voices provide a real and unfiltered view of the issue.

Survivor-led advocacy has been instrumental in shaping policies and legislation aimed at combating sexual exploitation and trafficking. Survivors can highlight gaps in the legal framework, propose amendments, and advocate for the enforcement of existing laws. Their experiences add weight to the argument for stronger measures against traffickers and better support for survivors.

Incorporating survivor voices into educational programs, awareness campaigns, and media coverage helps shift societal perspectives on sexual exploitation and trafficking. These voices expose the harsh realities of the issue and challenge complacency, driving a collective commitment to eradicate this modern-day slavery.

Survivor inclusion is not just a matter of compassion; it is a strategic necessity in the fight against sexual exploitation and trafficking. It offers authenticity, credibility, and empowerment, all of which are essential in driving change. By listening to and supporting survivors, we can create a more inclusive, informed, and effective response to these heinous crimes, ultimately working towards a world free from sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Safeguarding tools

In collaboration with Protection International and with the support of Sophie Stenbeck Family Foundation we’ve developed vital tools to address the unique risks faced by survivors in the field.
 
 

Breaking the stigma

The stigma surrounding survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking is a barrier to our recovery and reintegration into society. Survivor inclusion helps dispel this stigma by humanizing us and our experiences. When survivors share their stories, it becomes clear that they are not solely defined by their past, but rather by their resilience and strength. This humanizing effect is a powerful tool in breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions.

We know what support we need

Survivors understand their own needs better than anyone else. Inclusion ensures that support services and recovery programs are designed with survivor input, leading to more effective and holistic approaches. Survivors can help identify gaps in services, address specific challenges, and provide insights into what works best for their unique circumstances.

Inclusion goes beyond a mere acknowledgment of survivors; it empowers us as active contributors to the decision-making processes that directly impact our lives. When survivors play a central role in shaping support services, it ensures that the programs are not only survivor-centered but also reflective of the diverse challenges we face. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and agency among survivors, acknowledging our expertise in navigating the complexities of recovery.

By tapping into the lived experiences of survivors, we gain access to a wealth of knowledge that can help identify previously overlooked gaps in services. Survivors, as experts in their own healing journeys, can pinpoint specific challenges they have encountered and suggest practical solutions. This process not only enhances the quality of support services but also contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the multifaceted nature of trauma and recovery.

Survivors’ insights extend beyond the identification of challenges; we offer valuable perspectives on what strategies are most effective in our unique circumstances. This firsthand knowledge allows for the development of more nuanced and targeted recovery programs, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach may not adequately address the diverse needs of survivors. By incorporating survivor input, we can tailor interventions to account for varying backgrounds, experiences, and coping mechanisms, ultimately leading to more holistic and successful recovery outcomes.

Re-traumatization

Survivor inclusion empowers individuals to reclaim their agency. Many survivors have felt powerless and voiceless during their exploitation. When they are included in decision-making processes and advocacy efforts, it helps them regain a sense of control over their lives. They become agents of change, not just victims.

Re-traumatization can happen to survivors when they are “reduced” to only their story. In that way, they are not seen as individuals and experts, but instead as “the story” where only their past is seen and not the present person with thoughts and expertise to give. This can happen for example, when a survivor is invited for a panel where experts speak about exploitation and trafficking andthe only thing people want to know from the survivor is “telling their story” while the others are talking about solutions and how to improve things.

When this happens, often survivors feel like they are; “only the story”, “only the victim”, “only their past”. Some survivors get a feeling of, “I am still only seen as the prostitute and nothing more” and fall back into feelings like, “I am not worth more than the rapes I had to endure and people want to listen to”.

This is what is sometimes referred to as a part of tokenism. Tokenism is when an individual or a group is included in a decision-making process, organization, or initiative primarily to give the appearance of diversity, inclusion, or equity, without actually affording them a meaningful or substantive role or influence. In the context of working with survivors of trafficking, tokenism can manifest in various ways and can have detrimental effects:
 
 

Inspiration and resilience

Survivors’ stories of survival and resilience can inspire others to overcome similar challenges. Their courage in sharing their experiences can motivate individuals to seek help, raise awareness, and support anti-trafficking efforts. By offering hope and proof that recovery is possible, survivors play a vital role in the prevention and eradication of sexual exploitation and trafficking.

Quote from Malaika Oringo, one of our Co-Founders:

“Being a survivor advocate can be very rewarding and fulfilling. It can also have a healing effect when done in a safe way. For us who have created this course, being a survivors advocate is very meaningful. Every survivor’s story is a testament to their resilience, strength, and determined spirit that refuses to be broken. These stories reveal the true impact of human trafficking on countless lives and offer potential solutions to address this issue.

Nevertheless, it sometimes can be difficult. As survivors ourselves, we have all been subjected to several challenges working in the field. We therefore want to give you examples, tools and advice on how to take care and protect yourself so that what happened to some of us, will not happen to you. With this, we want to encourage you to engage in the anti-trafficking field as your voice is powerful and important in this field. At the same time we want you to only start this journey if you feel ready and to look after yourself as we only can help others if we feel good and stay healthy ourselves”.

Shifting perspectives

Incorporating survivor voices into educational programs, awareness campaigns, and media coverage helps shift societal perspectives on sexual exploitation and trafficking. These voices expose the harsh realities of the issue and challenge complacency, driving a collective commitment to eradicate this modern-day slavery.