Ep 110: Trafficked At 21 By Coast Guard Boyfriend w/ Hannah Blair (A Survivor's Story)

Human trafficking stories don't always happen the way we imagine them or how they're depicted in the movies. In fact, most times these cases start right at home and involve people that we know and love.

This week, to honor and recognize Human Trafficking Awareness Month, I have on the show with me Hannah Blair, a survivor of sex trafficking at the age of 21. Hannah was a small town girl who was trafficked by her boyfriend who was in the coast guard.

In this episode you'll hear Hannah describe:

- How her upbringing and previous abuse conditioned her to next expect anything was wrong with trafficking

- Tactics her ex-boyfriend used to prime her for trafficking

- Her experience and reaction the first time she was trafficked

- How a friend at lunch one day revealed to here what was going on

- Her survivor story to freedom

- And so much more

I know this can be a difficult conversation to be a part of, so I want to let you know how grateful we are for you tuning in this week.

Check out the links mentioned in the show:

Megan Lundstrom - Survivor leader out of Colorado - https://theaverycenter.org

Find Your Lane Course - Rebecca Bender Initiative - https://rebecca-bender.mykajabi.com/find-your-lane

Event in Atlanta - Leadership Gwinnett Justice Day - https://www.leadershipgwinnett.com/event/justice-day-4/

Zera House - http://zerahouse.org

Megan Lundstrom, an incredible survivor leader out of Colorado, highlights a few questions to consider when choosing a project or non-profit to invest in:

1. Is this project founded by a Survivor Leader (a person with lived experience of sex trafficking who is also a professional in the space)? If not, does this project employ Survivor Leaders in meaningful roles? If they don't, I would not invest in the project. If everyone at the agency is paid except for survivors, yet they are expecting survivors (i.e., subject matter experts) to perform trauma stories and speak for free to raise their funds, they are participating in exploitation. A lot of survivors will volunteer because they care deeply, but this compassion should not be exploited. If you have a budget for an event, you have a budget for a survivor speaker or consultant. If you need an introduction to a Survivor Leader in your region, contact the National Survivor Network or I can refer someone.

2. Is this project evidence-based and trauma informed? If they are providing direct services, do they offer therapeutic modalities that demonstrate measurable results for healing sexual trauma and complex PTSD. This should include culturally relevant healing modalities guided by the communities you are serving. I can share more about what has been effective.

3. Is this project intersectional and justice-oriented? Do they understand historical slavery, racism, gender inequities, discrimination against LGBTQ folks, economic disparities, generational trauma and other factors that create vulnerabilities to exploitation. If they avoid conversations about systemic oppression and social change, they are missing a vital piece.

4. Does this project respect the diverse spiritualities of survivors? Is this project religiously inclusive? A project can be clearly guided and informed by specific faith traditions and still not expect that those they serve conform to the norms of that tradition. This is particularly relevant to how they may respond to sexuality and sexual orientation.

5. Does this project meet victims and survivors where they are or create a fantasy of recovery that is unrealistic for most people living with complex trauma? For example, are their requirements for receiving services prohibitive to the very people they claim to serve? Do they need "perfect" victims? Or can they work with those who are still in survival mode (relapsing, running, returning to traffickers, acting defiant instead of grateful).

Books by Survivors:

In Pursuit of Love by Rebecca Bender

Leaving the Life by Jessa Crisp and Dr. Becca Johnson

Fallen by Annie Lobert

Scars and Stilettos by Harmony Grillo

Runaway Girl by Carissa Phelps

Films/Documentaries:

Nefarious: Merchant of Souls

I Am Jane Doe

In Plain Sight

Sold

The Long Night