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Victim and Survivor Resources

It is common for victims to not realize they are being trafficked. Some may also blame themselves or struggle to accept they are being trafficked. It is important for victims to know the signs.

Knowing the signs is important.

Trauma-informed and survivor-centric support is essential.

Providing effective and meaningful support requires meeting survivors where they are in their healing journey. The National Survivor Study is a scientifically rigorous research effort by the Polaris Project, designed to shed light on the experiences and needs of human trafficking survivors so that survivors and communities can design effective strategies to fight it. Few survivors have access to services they need to heal and thrive.

Survivors are often not easily able to leave their trafficking situation due to circumstances such emotional manipulation, financial dependance, lack of housing and living resources, and fear. Human trafficking is similar to domestic violence in that it may take survivors multiple attempts to finally escape from a trafficking situation. Survivors need support to leave and not return to their trafficker. A person may be more likely to seek help if they know their needs will be met and they have options to choose from. It can take several times offering services before victims will accept help.

The Department of Health and Human Services has developed a referral directory tool to assist victims of human trafficking with identifying emergency, transitional, and long-term services as well as programs and resources available in their area. Survivor needs are often multi-layered and may include:

Victims of human trafficking often rely on their trafficker for housing, which can be a barrier to victims seeking safe exit. Access to residential programs, safe homes, and transitional housing to meet immediate needs and provide long-term options for survivors are critical for ensuring access to infrastructure assistance to support escape and help survivors rebuild their lives.

According to Safe House Project, 80% of survivors end up being re-victimized if they have no safe place to go.

Virginia-based resources include:

  • Safe Harbor provides emergency shelter and transitional housing for survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and human trafficking.
  • The Lampstand Safe Home residential program in Virginia is dedicated to serving juvenile survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking.
  • To combat child sex trafficking, the Safe House Project provides safe housing through their comprehensive network of programs that offers immediate safety and long-term support so survivors can begin rebuilding their lives.

People with substance use issues may be vulnerable to victimization by human traffickers. According to the Polaris Project's National Survivor Study, 93% of survivors experienced substance abuse and mental health challenges prior to their trafficking. Traffickers may use drug and alcohol to manipulate, coerce, and control victims into compliance. Furthermore, victims may abuse substances as a means of coping with their victimization and trauma during their captivity and even after escape.

Substance abuse counseling is a critical element for human trafficking survivor recovery programs.

Virginia-based resources include:

  • The Lampstand has partnered with law enforcement, service providers, and medical professionals to provide trauma-informed, person-centered support to those who have been affected by sexual exploitation and trafficking, including chemical dependency services.

Mental health has implications for placing people at risk of victimization, as traffickers may target and victimize people with mental health instabilities or vulnerabilities. According to the Polaris Project's National Survivor Study, the vast majority of trafficking survivors faced trauma, abuse, poverty, mental health challenges, and other struggles in childhood. Further, the effects of trafficking can cause substantial trauma and can take time to heal. At the time of exit, 75% of survivors reported support in accessing behavioral or mental health services as one of their top needs.

Some resources include:

  • The Department of Health and Human Services has aggregated mental health services and nationwide providers.
  • The SOAP Project provides survivor support groups and wellness weekends to foster healing while engaging with others who have survived similar trafficking experiences.
  • The Renee Jones Empowerment Center is committed to providing aid and support group services to survivors of human trafficking and their families. Specifically, Project Red Cord is committed to offering comprehensive, trauma-informed free services to people who have been the victims of human trafficking and sexual assault.

Virginia-based resources include:

  • Safe Harbor's counseling staff have specialized training and experience in working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking, using trauma-informed interventions to facilitate healing, empowerment, and resiliency in a safe and confidential space. Developmentally appropriate counseling services are also available for children and teens.
  • The Lampstand has partnered with law enforcement, service providers, and medical professionals to provide trauma-informed, person-centered support to those who have been affected by sexual exploitation and trafficking, including counseling and emotional and social support.
  • The Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) provides long-term and short-term therapy to people of all ages and genders who have experience sexual violence, including human trafficking.

Human trafficking victims are often stripped of their financial security and independence by their trafficker. Findings from the National Survivor Study indicate that over 60% of respondents reported experiencing financial abuse by their trafficker. During recovery, survivors often require help with earning, managing, and saving money. The study also found that 70% of survivors who exited trafficking less than two years ago were making less than $25,000 per year. Access to mainstream financial systems, including loans, credit, and bank accounts, is a critical factor in livelihood outcomes for survivors. Private and federal grant programs are available that provide immediate financial assistance and longer term economic counseling to survivors to help them achieve financial independence during recovery.

The Polaris Resilience Fund offers financial assistance to survivors of human trafficking to fill the gaps between traditional resources and program assistance.

Virginia based services include:

  • The Lampstand has partnered with law enforcement, service providers, and medical professionals to provide trauma-informed, person-centered support to those who have been affected by sexual exploitation and trafficking, including life skills services.
  • Safe Harbor's Safe House program provides financial education and counseling to address the financial trauma that often goes along with trafficking.

Victims of human trafficking are often robbed of possessions, rights, and basic needs for survival. Assistance with job placement, transportation, and means to support basic living expenses is critical to meeting the needs of survivors along their recovery journey. Findings from the National Survivor Study showed that 57% of respondents did not have stable work that provided basic benefits.

To help survivors build social skills and try new things during their healing journey, the Renee Jones Empowerment Center's Annual Retreat and Social Outings Programs allow clients to participate in a variety of activities intended to assist clients in developing relationships and gaining confidence in social situations.

Virginia based services include:

  • The Lampstand has partnered with law enforcement, service providers, and medical professionals to provide trauma-informed, person-centered support to those who have been affected by sexual exploitation and trafficking, including food, clothing, transportation, and personal care services.
  • Safe House Project offers critical services including medical care, legal assistance, and education and career development to help survivors reclaim their lives and build stable futures.
  • Safe Harbor's Transitional Housing Program provides safe, affordable, and supportive housing and long-term case management for survivors gaining independence. Support services include counseling, safety planning, critical care coordination, health care, and community resources. Their partnership with a local community college enables survivors to start or continue their education for free.

Identifying available services for survivors of human trafficking, including legal services, can be a stressful process for victims to navigate. Forty percent of survivors who responded to the National Survivor Study reported a criminal record resulting from their trafficking experience.

The Department of Health and Human Services has developed a guide of available services to help case managers and survivor advocates find eligible programs for survivors.

Virginia-based resources include:

  • Safe Harbor's Court Advocate Program works within the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to provide services to persons seeking protective orders. They also offer hospital support services for victims.
  • The Lampstand has partnered with law enforcement, service providers, and medical professionals to provide trauma-informed, person-centered support to those who have been affected by sexual exploitation and trafficking, including chemical case management and legal service support.
  • SARA provides accompaniment to the hospital for forensic exams and trauma-related services for victims of sexual violence, including human trafficking.
  • The Safe House Project's Survivor Response Team works with law enforcement, child protective services, the justice department, and other prosecutorial and judicial organizations to match the needs of survivors with programs from partnering organizations to serve the needs of survivors.

A social service provider emphasized that survivors deserve to have options when accessing services and support. They stressed that there cannot be only one path to participation or healing, as limiting choices can replicate the power and control survivors have already experienced. Empowering survivors with options is essential to their recovery and autonomy.

Programs are most effective when prosecutorial and support organizations work together to help the victim.

Teamwork is essential for identifying victims (law enforcement), arresting traffickers (prosecutors), and providing victim support (advocacy).

Victims may be skeptical, untrustful, or fearful of law enforcement and hesitant to engage, ask for/accept help, and cooperate. Initial interactions with law enforcement may be negative due to several factors, including previous arrest, traffickers convincing victims to fear the police, and experience with law enforcement participating in or knowingly allow trafficking to go on. Law enforcement officers that work with victims must have empathy and patience.

Victim arrest is often a necessary legal step in order to provide services and place victims in trafficking recovery programs.

John Schools can be practical and cost-effective ways to reduce demand for sex trafficking. These programs are designed to teach convinced sex buyers why their behavior is dangerous and exploitive.