Needs of Survivors from their Networks of Care #
Survivors of human trafficking rely on their Networks of Care for support as they navigate their healing journeys.Every survivor’s needs are different, so Networks of Care should be asking each survivor how they want to be supported. Networks of Care should reflect on what supports they can offer in a sustainable way, meaning supports that can be consistently offered over an extended period of time without having negative effects. Survivors and Networks of Care should work collaboratively to set clear expectations and boundaries.
While each individual has unique needs, the survivors we consulted identified some key areas and considerations for Networks of Care and those supporting survivors of human trafficking.
Genuine care and understanding: Survivors expressed the need for genuine support that prioritizes listening and understanding. Simply having someone who is present and encouraging, and who will listen without judgment or rushing to offer solutions makes a difference. It is important when listening to survivors, particularly when listening to their declarations, to be empathetic and validate their experiences. Regular communication, whether through a quick message, a check-in, or spending quality time together, can help foster a sense of connection and reassure survivors that they are cared for and supported. Examples of genuine care and understanding include listening attentively with empathy and without judgment when survivors share their experiences, validating their feelings and experiences and acknowledging that their experiences of violence are not their fault, showing patience and empathy, recognizing that healing is not linear and looks different for everyone.
Respect for autonomy and boundaries: An important aspect of supporting survivors is respecting their choices, autonomy, and boundaries. Survivor autonomy means respecting a survivor’s right to make their own choices and decisions about their life, healing, and future. Survivors expressed the need for their Networks of Care to foster safer spaces, respect their boundaries, trust in their ability to make decisions, and acknowledge that survivors are the experts of their own lives. Networks of Care are there to offer support and resources, but survivors lead the way in determining what they need and when they need it. This approach empowers survivors and acknowledges their agency in their own healing journey. Examples of respecting a survivor’s autonomy and boundaries include accepting that survivors can make their own decisions, even if you don’t agree with them, asking for consent before offering advice, voiding assumptions about what they want or need, and respecting when they say “no” or need space, without pressuring them.
- Ask for consent before offering advice or physical contact: Survivors have experienced a loss of control in their lives, and regaining a sense of agency is important and empowering. Always ask first. For example, instead of offering unsolicited advice, say, “Would you like my thoughts on this, or would you prefer that I just listen?” Similarly, before initiating physical contact like a hug, ask, “Would a hug feel okay right now?” This ensures your actions are welcomed and not imposed.
- Respect boundaries when they need space: Survivors may need time and space to process their experiences independently. If they express a need for space, acknowledge it without taking it personally. Reassure them that you will still be available when needed by saying, “I understand you need some time, and that’s okay. I’m here when you’re ready.”
- Support their decision-making process: Survivors are the experts in their own lives. Encourage their autonomy by empowering them to make their own decisions, even when they seek advice. You can say, “Here are some options to consider, but it’s completely your choice. I trust you to decide what is best for you. You’ve got this!”
- Provide practical support without taking over: Offering help and support in manageable, collaborative ways allows survivors to feel supported without feeling dependent. Instead of assuming control over tasks, ask for what they need from you and offer them options such as: “Would it help if I came with you to your appointment, or would you prefer I wait outside?”
- Do not push survivors to share or heal on a timeline: Healing is a deeply personal, unique and non-linear process. Survivors may not be ready to share their experiences or progress at the pace others expect. Remind survivors that you are there for them throughout their healing journey and that it is not a linear process. This offers comfort that you are not there to “fix them” but rather there to support with their needs and that they are not alone in this process
Practical Support: Practical help can be another way Networks of Care can support. Survivors may need help with everyday tasks or accompanying them to important appointments. Providing this kind of help can ease some of the day-to-day challenges they may experience. Examples of practical support include:
- Help to access professional care: Networks of Care can help by helping survivors find services from different professionals, such as accessing medical services, counselling, legal services, etc.
- Help finding housing: Networks of Care can help survivors by helping them look for housing, helping with applications, and finding information on local programs that can help find affordable housing.
- Accompaniments: Networks of Care often offer support by accompanying survivors to appointments, court hearings, and other difficult engagements. Having access to a vehicle to provide transportation to appointments can be another way to support survivors and help with the stress of figuring out transportation.
- Household tasks: Care work can also be in the form of helping with household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or grocery shopping.
- Reminders: Helping with reminders and keeping track of appointments was another strategy that was identified that was useful to some survivors.
- Companionship: Networks of care can simply just be present with survivors. watching a movie, going for a walk or hanging out virtually and offering that companionship can help with the feelings of isolation and build community.
- Financial support: Some Networks of Care expressed providing financial support as a way to help survivors. This can be buying someone groceries, helping with bus fare, and other actions depending on the person’s means.
Advocacy: Survivors of human trafficking need accomplices and supporters to advocate for change in laws and systems. Unfortunately, these systems can cause further harm and challenges for survivors as trauma-informed care and effective supports are not always available to them. As supporters and Networks of Care, advocating for better laws, less punitive measures, and better services and care for survivors of human trafficking is a way that supporters can use their voices to address systemic barriers and help enact policies that prioritize survivors’ well-being. Examples of advocacy include individual advocacy such as helping a survivor navigate legal systems, community advocacy such as organizing workshops or events to raise awareness about human trafficking and its impacts, and policy advocacy such as advocating for funding to support survivor services.
Trust and confidentiality: Trust is crucial to supporting survivors. Survivors need to be able to trust their Networks of Care to maintain confidentiality and not repeat the sensitive and very personal information and declarations that they may share in trusting relationships. Networks of Care often advocate for the needs of survivors, but this should only be done with the survivor’s consent. Honouring the survivor’s trust and confidentiality is essential in building a supportive and respectful relationship. It can also show survivors that their boundaries are valued and that they are in control of their own narrative. Breaking this trust can not only harm the survivor but can also make it harder for them to trust to seek or accept help in the future. Examples of honouring a survivor’s confidentiality include keeping personal information they share private and not discussing it with others, and not gossip or speculating about their situation, even with well-meaning friends or family.
Consistency and reliability: Consistency and reliability are important for survivors, as well as recognizing that the healing journey is an ongoing and non-linear process. Survivors need Networks of Care they can depend on, and consistent and reliable relationships can help provide a sense of stability and safety. Examples of this include following through on commitments, such as showing up when you promised or completing tasks you offered to do, maintaining regular communication, and having patience and not stopping the support to the survivor if things get challenging, while still honouring your own boundaries.
Challenges Survivors can Face from their Networks of Care #
Survivors of human trafficking can encounter different challenges when seeking support from their Networks of Care. Despite the best intentions of those offering care, people can create more harm if they do not familiarize themselves with survivor-centred approaches that emphasize respecting boundaries, maintaining confidentiality, and honouring survivor autonomy and expertise in their own lives. Survivors shared with us some of the key challenges that they have faced from their Networks of Care and highlighted key considerations to provide supportive and compassionate care. However, Networks of Care should engage in self-compassion and be aware that nobody is perfect and that we all make mistakes. Supporting others can be messy but we must approach this care work with accountability and open to feedback and growth.
Stigma: Stigmas and biases can be present in all of us. Networks of Care should do the work to reflect on and recognize internal biases that can lead to stigmatization, especially regarding human trafficking and survivors. The survivors we consulted identified stigma leading to feeling judged and shame, which can discourage survivors from reaching out and accepting help, leading them to face their challenges alone. Stigma can also lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and can also lead to survivors isolating and avoiding social situations.
Lack of understanding: Another significant challenge survivors identified is a lack of understanding about the survivor’s unique experiences and needs. This lack of understanding can lead to unhelpful or even harmful approaches, such as pressuring the survivor to share more than they wish or expecting the survivor to “get over” their experiences of trauma. This can add to a survivor’s negative experiences and harm them further. Networks of Care must do their own research on the experiences of human trafficking without expecting survivors to educate them or share their own experiences. They must understand that healing is not a linear path with a destination but rather a journey that is different for each person and that has ups and downs. Networks of Care should strive to be more understanding when supporting survivors to provide effective care and aid survivors in their journey without posing extra challenges.
Unreliable support: Unreliable support can harm survivors of human trafficking by creating a sense of instability and lack of trust. When promises are broken, commitments are not followed through, or support is inconsistent, survivors may feel abandoned, invalidated, or reluctant to seek help in the future. Survivors need Networks of Care that they can depend on. Life happens, and occasionally, we may be unable to fulfill our commitments. However, open and honest communication is essential, and we should strive to make honour our commitments, especially when people are depending on us. As Networks of Care, part of this process is to evaluate our capacity to support and what we can truly offer without overextending ourselves and setting real expectations.
Communication barriers: Clear communication is important when providing support. Networks of Care can make the mistake of using inaccessible language such as using words deriving from social work theory or academic language that not everyone is familiar with. This can not only create a barrier to understanding what is being communicated but can also leave survivors feeling excluded, disrespected, or even helpless. It is important to use clear and accessible language, especially when helping survivors make important decisions so they are able to make an informed decision.
Lack of respect for survivor agency: Survivor agency means honouring survivors’ self-determination, ability to make decisions and acknowledging their expertise over their own lives. Sometimes, people have the best intentions, especially when it comes to their loved ones and can impose their own beliefs and opinions onto others. This can happen with survivors when their Networks of Care push them towards making the decisions they think are best for them, without respecting their autonomy and decision-making abilities. It is important to respect survivors’ choices, give them space to make decisions and empower them in their healing journey without adding pressure or imposing one’s beliefs onto them.