Why it’s important to center survivor voices in anti-trafficking work
Advocacy is sometimes thought of as being a “voice for the voiceless,” a position and responsibility that entails speaking on behalf of those in need who are not being heard. Social media platforms have made it even easier for advocates to bring those stories to more people faster than ever before. To be sure, this kind of hashtag activism has elevated many social causes in good and constructive ways, but it has a dark side. Under the guise of being a “voice for the voiceless,” well-meaning individuals can drown out the very voices they set out to highlight. Social media sensationalism perpetuates myths and stereotypes, silencing the real stories and voices that don't fit the hype, and social media relevance means that advocacy can become more about social clout than social justice.
In the end, being a “voice for the voiceless” can do more harm than good. Because here’s the thing: the ‘voiceless’ already have voices. What they need is not someone to tell their story for them—they need to be empowered to speak, an audience to hear them and a community that supports them.
Empowering survivors of human trafficking means—first and foremost—giving them the space and freedom to recover their right to self-determination and personal autonomy. The US Department of State recognizes that in receiving “access to services that are comprehensive, survivor-centered, and culturally appropriate,” as well as “vocational training, skill development courses, financial counseling, and educational scholarships,” survivors can rehabilitate their lives and tell their stories in a way that does not make them revisit their trauma.
Organizations like Survivor Alliance and Elevate Academy provide these resources to survivors free of charge and also offer resources and action steps for those interested in advocacy. Both Survivor Alliance and Elevate Academy, however, are survivor-led, focused primarily on the empowerment and wellbeing of survivors. Both organizations provide survivors with opportunities to share their stories without fear of re-exploitation or sensationalization.
Rebecca Bender, the founder of Elevate Academy and a survivor herself, started her organization when she realized that survivors were not being cared for in a way that enables them to make the most of their lives after trafficking. To that end, Elevate Academy mentors and equips survivors to follow their dreams and use their voices. Survivor Alliance also understands that empowerment is a holistic enterprise, that healing must be approached from all angles and led by survivors. Like Elevate Academy, Survivor Alliance offers educational opportunities, leadership training, life and career coaching, and inclusion in survivor support networks.
This kind of cooperative support emboldens many survivors to speak, but it is worth acknowledging that empowering survivors sometimes results in them deciding not to share their story widely—what is most important is that they are free to decide.
For those who share their story freely and those who don’t, a listening ear is key. If we are to be effective advocates, we must listen to the stories the survivors are telling, rather than only paying attention to the ones we expect or the ones that are the most shocking. The perpetuation of myths and sensationalism can be prevented by really hearing the stories that are being told.
Dressember does this by elevating survivor voices on the blog and social media pages, and also by including survivors in Dressember’s Grant Advisory Committee. This committee listens to the needs of survivors and the problems they face before, during, and after being trafficked, and then seeks out organizations that center survivor voices and prioritize their needs accordingly. Dressember’s programmatic partner organizations are often survivor-led or at the very least consult with survivors about best approaches to prevention, intervention and protection.
A victim-centered and trauma-informed approach to engagement with survivors entails respecting and preserving their autonomy. It is only through empowering survivors to speak and listening carefully that advocates can learn about the experiences that changed their lives—and how to respond with support that is both effective and dignifying. Survivors may need a listening ear and quiet solidarity; they may need resources to rebuild their lives; they may need a platform from which they can lobby for change. We won’t know until we listen.
Advocacy that is effective and dignifying of survivors and their stories first and foremost requires listening. Buying into the “voice for the voiceless” model can inadvertently turn into a quest for social relevance, stripping survivors of their autonomy and perpetuating misinformation in the process.
As advocates, it is our job to amplify the voices of survivors—ideally, we act more like the microphone than the main speaker.
About the Author
Emmy Luker is a writer and MDiv candidate at Fuller Theological Seminary. She is passionate about speaking and writing about what is true, and doing it in a way people can and want to hear. Originally from Colorado, she is a big fan of alpine views and mountain hikes, but she is learning to love the wind and the lake as a recent transplant in Chicago.