Creating and maintaining safety is important when supporting survivors of human trafficking. Below are some ways for Networks of Care to create safer environments:

• Prioritize comfort: Make sure that the survivor feels physically comfortable; offer them water and ask if they need anything. Pay attention to your verbal and nonverbal communication; use a calm tone of voice, maintain eye contact (if culturally appropriate – if possible, mirror their personal style of eye contact), and keep a warm, neutral facial expression. This often helps the person manage and stabilize their emotions. Respect people’s personal space and avoid physical contact unless consented to and invited by the survivor.
• Be attentive to any discomfort: Look out for verbal and nonverbal signs of physical or emotional discomfort, such as change in posture, tone of voice, or facial expressions. Let the survivor lead the conversation. Take breaks if it becomes overwhelming or tiring.
• Address safety concerns: Discuss any safety concerns openly with the survivor and prioritize their well-being. Offer to connect them with organizations or resources for safety planning. Safety planning is a useful strategy to help the survivor be better prepared for potential dangers, whether they are currently in a dangerous situation or planning to leave one. You can use WomenatthecentrE’s Safer Planning resource, but we encourage survivors to do safety planning with a professional (Here is a list of organizations supporting survivors of human trafficking). Ask survivors what actions you can take to ensure that they are safe. This can include determining if it is safe to speak openly at specific locations, over the phone, or by text message. Come up with a code word or ways to communicate discreetly, if needed. For example, the survivor can use a predetermined code word or phrase to indicate they are in danger or unable to speak freely. You can also use code, such as emojis, to communicate certain messages.
• Respect survivor privacy and confidentiality: Survivors may want to keep parts of their experience private or may not want to share these at all. It is important for Networks of Care to respect survivors’ privacy and keep all disclosures and conversations confidential. Sharing private information without the survivors’ consent is harmful and can have a devastating effect on the survivor.
• Be empathetic and empowering: Help survivors focus on their strengths and feel empowered. Let them set the pace of their own healing journeys and identify what their needs are. Offer support while respecting their boundaries and autonomy.
• Establish emotional safety: Create a space of trust, empathy, and compassion where the survivor does not feel judged or pressured.
• Set clear and healthy boundaries: Both Networks of Care and survivors are encouraged to set boundaries around communication, personal space, and other areas you feel are important to create a respectful and supportive environment. Boundaries should be discussed openly and honoured.
• Be mindful of gender-identities: Part of establishing safety is to be mindful that people have differing gender identities, and respecting these is important to let the survivor feel safe, respected, and empowered. Share your preferred pronouns with survivors and ask them what their preferred pronouns are. If you make a mistake, take accountability, correct yourself, and be mindful not to do it again. But do this with self-compassion and care for yourself.
• Avoid involving police or other services without survivor’s knowledge: Unless you have a duty to report, do not involve police or other social services without the survivor’s consent and knowledge. These institutions can often be more harmful and result in negative consequences for the survivor. If you have a duty to report, you might not require survivor consent; however, informing the survivor about your duty can help build transparency and autonomy in your relationship.