Things Survivors Wish You Knew About Trauma-Informed Language
Language binds a culture. It determines the way we view and respond to various social justice issues, such as the anti-trafficking movement. We must be thoughtful about the language we use surrounding human trafficking and trafficking survivors because it has the potential to propagate sterotypes, disempower survivors, and prevent survivors from receiving the help they need. By being intentional with our language, we can become better advocates and restructure our cultural narratives surrounding human trafficking.
Hannah, Citlali, Sean and Faith are four survivors of human trafficking in the Dressember Community. Hannah is a Dressember blog contributor and Citlali, Sean and Faith are members of Dressember Network partner ECPAT-USA’s Survivor’s Council. Here's what they wish you know about trauma-informed language when it comes to talking about survivors of human trafficking.
Use language that is inclusive.
Certain language can isolate survivors of trafficking, such as males and LGBTQ+ individuals. Our anti-trafficking efforts must be founded on the belief that all survivor voices are important, even those that differ from mainstream ideas surrounding what trafficking survivors should look like. Inclusive language is necessary to build a more comprehensive culture of care and to generate a movement where we hold space for every survivor, regardless of their background or identity. “I wish that people would stop using only female pronouns, words and images online. I was a boy trafficked for sex from age 5 to 10, and 35% of the people who ‘bought’ me were women. I believe boy victims remain invisible.” —Sean
Use language that is empowering.
The focus is often on survivor stories rather than their ability to thrive. Hannah wants everyone to “recognize we are people and not our experiences.” When we refer to those coming out of exploitation as survivors instead of victims, we are recognizing their ability to overcome their exploitation and traumatic experiences. Citlali shares, “I hate the word victim. I feel like it minimizes my experience.” A victim is defined by their trafficking experience but a survivor is defined by their life afterward. A victim is defined by their weakness but a survivor is defined by their strength. Conceptualizing survivors as strong and capable plays a significant role in their ability to heal.
Use language that is supportive.
Language can perpetuate stereotypes, impacting the way our society views survivors and impacting their access to aftercare services. For example, when we refer to a trafficking situation as a relationship, when we say “prostituted” instead of “exploited”, or when we say a survivor “chose” their exploitation, we are perpetuating a culture of victim-blaming. Victim blaming language can impact the way survivors are treated by resource providers, increase negative connotations, and even reduce survivors’ belief that they are capable of overcoming their trafficking experience. “I wish people really thought about how the language they use around trafficking still assumes choice, and is victim blaming. People often say things that sound like you made a decision, or don't realize how much fear that you will not be believed is instilled into you by traffickers; so the language others use, even if they are well intentioned, sometimes reinforces things you were told over and over while being trafficked.”—Faith
Use language that promotes autonomy.
Trafficking takes away three things from survivors: voice, choice, and power. Equipping survivors to heal and creating a safe environment for them to do so means giving back their ability to choose, speak, and direct their own stories. For Faith, that safety looks like when “ someone tells me that it is my choice to share my story and I can stop any time to take a break, and have my space.” Ask how you can best support the survivor, be respectful of their needs, and honor their decision, whatever that may be. It’s about them.
Language is one of the most powerful tools we have to reshaping the way communities and individuals understand the realities of human trafficking and how they communicate with survivors. By using trauma-informed language and listening to voices of survivors, we can ultimately prevent retraumatization, empower survivors, and promote a better understanding and awareness to the impact of human trafficking.
About the Author
Hannah Blair has a Bachelor’s in Sociology and is working on an MA in Social Justice and Human Rights, as well as her certification in Biblical counseling. As a survivor herself, her career end goal is to work with other trafficking survivors. She has a background in marketing and communications, social media management, and blog writing. She tells her story at churches and other events and has assisted with trainings for South Alabama law enforcement agencies. Hannah is a single mom to a rambunctious toddler who keeps her on her toes! She enjoys running, cooking, and most importantly, napping.