Human/Sex Trafficking *******Trigger Warning****** Proceed with caution and take care of you if triggered""""
This is a safe, supportive space for Survivors of Human/Sex trafficking to reach out for support and to share with one another your struggles and your achievements. Please refrain from being too graphic to avoid triggering one another. Please keep this space, respectful and supportive to one another.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human Trafficking is the transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons by means of threat, or use of force, coercion or deception… to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for thepurpose of exploitation (UN, 2000, Art. 3).
Human trafficking includes sexual exploitation, forced and bonded labour, domestic servitude, any form of slavery and removal of organs.
Human Trafficking is the movement of a person/persons from one place to another into conditions of exploitation, using deception, coercion, the abuse of power or the abuse of someones vulnerability.
It affects men, women and children and is the fastest growing international crime and one of the largest sources of income for organised crime.
Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery and it has been estimated this 'industry' denies freedom to over 45 million people around the world. And no matter where you live, chances are it's happening nearby. All trafficking victims share one essential experience - Their loss of Freedom.
What is Sex Trafficking?
Sex trafficking is the use of violence, abuse, threats, lies, debt bondage, and other forms of coercion to compel adults and children to engage in commercial sex acts against their will.
Victims of Sex Trafficking have faced all kinds of situations including: Victims who have become involved romatically with a partner who then forces or manipulates them into prostitution. Others are lured in with false promises of a job, or a better future. Some victims are forced to sell sex by their own family, including biological parents and other family members. Sex trafficking may go on for days, weeks and many years.
Victims of sex trafficking are not just those who perhaps comes from european countries which is so often show by the media. This is happening in every country and in every city, involving those from other countries and those who were born in that country. Vulnerable populations are frequently targeted by traffickers, including runaway and homeless youth, as well as victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, war, or social discrimination.
If you are a Survivor of Human/Sex Trafficking, you are not alone. This space is for you to reach out for support, to share your experiences and to seek the support you so rightfully deserve. You are in control of what you share, and whether you wish to reach out for support here. We hope you do. You are a strong person deserving of so much better than what you may have endured. We hope you feel safe here.
@Rain45 Hej Rain, Than You for making this phost. There ar many common issues that those of us whom were trafficed or just straight up sex workers face. As has been expressed already in this phost is our lack of understanding how to operate and get by in the "Normal World". This is something I work on with myself, and every slave/sex worker that I am blessed to work with. Give me a bit, I am compiling a bunch of educational links that alle may benefit from. As was said, "Balancing check books???" Yep. How many of us know how to cook as opposed to fast foods and microwaved dinners? I have been working this in many of my 1-1 chats, I think perhaps a basic life functions course is needed and I will begin here. After I sleep (the long day at scoil). So much work to be done, so much to learn, re-learn, and learn how to apply. One Baby step at a time, lets do this together.
I've been trafficked since I was very very young and just recently got out of da life. Trying to adapt to the square world now but it's beyond difficult. Going to therapy but got no other support. Any advice on how to make this adjustment? I try to tell myself to just keep taking one small step and breath at a time but sometimes (most of the time) even those is hard. All I've known is servitude and turning tricks. Now I'm suppsed to balance a chckbook and know how to make decisions on my own? Don't get me started on school or bein social. What alien planet did I even land on and how'd I get here? Anybody feel me on dat?
@carefulVillage1671 Hey Village, Im sorry no one has yet responded to you post. I want to say, you are incredibly brave for being able to escape a life where you were a victim of being trafficking from a very young age until recently. 
I wonder how it feels for you right now to be free of that world that you have know for so long? I imagine probably a frightening place, and as your post described being thrown into an alien world that your trying to get to grips with? Its good to know you have some therapy. You mentioned you dont yet have any other support. Is this something you would like for yourself and would it be useful if we would help see if there is anything in your region that you could make use of to help you begin to heal from your experiences? At the moment, you are right at the beginning of healing from what you have gone through and its going to be a long journey for you and as you said just take one step at a time. Give yourself time to adjust, dont push yourself to do more than you can manage. Focus on you for now, your therapy and work out what you would like in your life, which I expect may be harder to do when you may have had other people making decisions for you all your life. Get to know your surroundings, work out what your interests are, see if there are any support networks you can access to make this transition smoother for you, perhaps your therapist may be able to help you with this?
@carefulVillage1671 Hi Careful I'm Raven, I am with the Trauma Support Team. Nice to meet you, and welcome to the free world. First I'll say please read my bio. Ya I totally feel you. I been there too, but not from an early age and different circumstances. It is way difficult to adapt to "Normal Life", and often with many aspects I am still working on it too. What I primarily do here is Listen to past present, and sometimes future slaves and sex workers, and help negotiate life. I was one too, and I do know hon. You are NOT Alone! I am here for you if you need to chat 1-1 about stuff (Totally Private no records kept nor discussion with others about what we speak!), I will also work with you to help you adapt to the Details of how to operate and function in this new life. Sorry I didn't see your post sooner, I am now a full time student and can get busy. I do check and reply to my posts daily and a few times at that. We can play message tag till we connect, but I do always reply. Please Do post me hon, we have so much to discuss and I am here for you.
@carefulVillage1671
I am so sorry this has happened to you. I can kinda relate. I have a very selective memory that has no emotions attached to it (yet). I am still trying to figure out if I really want to know what I went through and what that felt like.
But I can share a little bit of what happened after I got "rescued".
I did go to school until I was about 13. After that I dissapeared until I was 19. I then moved in with my boyfriend. When I was 23 I had 2 daughters but I realized I did not like being a stay at home mom. So I tried to find a job. That was very humiliating. I could not and I did not want to explain why I did not go to school. I knew I was a very intelligent girl but I could not prove it. People would not take me seriously. It was very dissapointing. I could have stopped there and give up but I was really misserable. I decided to get up and fight and that is what I did.That was my breakthrough. Social services offered me an education that was way under my abilities. I knew that but they did not believe me. I insisted they test me. After a long time they finally gave in an tested me. I went straight into college and I graduated summa cum laude in Technical Informatics while raising 2 babygirls by myself.
My point is, you are not depended on what other people think you can or cannot do. Everybody will have an opnion but so do you. I realized it was up to me to make my life better. I knew what I wanted and what I was capable of. You can do this. Use the frustration you feel as fuel to rise up. It is possible, you can do this! Not easy, but possible!
@MaschaV Thank You for being strong and sharing some of your story with us hon. Much Love and respect!
@Raveninthelabrynth Thanks
This was not brave, I am just passionate for people to find their strength!
@MaschaV I'm usually about if you ever need or wish to chat
@Raveninthelabrynth
Thanks, I'll remember that!
@MaschaV Bu Your will hon
Hello Everyone!
Edited by Rain45 Removed due to possible breach of compromising confidential information outside of cups
For alle whom may wish to see this, the US Congress just passed this act against online sex trafficking.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1865
