Despite the anti-trafficking community’s great strides to create a safety net for survivors, there are still many systematic and inadvertent barriers that block survivors from accessing the critical housing they need.
Many domestic violence (DV) programs have come to understand the profound similarities in the experiences of DV and human trafficking. Both situations are rooted in power and control. Survivors in both are often hurt by someone they see as an intimate partner. Both can face similar cycles of violence. And both often face a need for safe, emergency housing.
Yo, Carmen, como víctima, sobreviviente y miembro de la comunidad que soy ahora, y para terminar el relato de mi vida en la trata de personas, tengo un mensaje para ti.
"As a victim, survivor, and now, community member, I’m here to tell you that we can all join in the fight against human trafficking if we don’t stay silent." In the final part of her story, Carmen shares a message for survivors and community members.
En ese momento, yo me encontraba en un punto en el que confiar y desconfiar era lo mismo. Ya no me importaba morir o vivir, ni tampoco lo que le pasara a mi familia. Tenía que arriesgarme. Entonces les dije un poco de lo que me estaba sucediendo, sin importarme si me creían o no, pero sí me ayudaron. Lee la cuarta parte de la historia de Carmen.
"I was at such a low point where trusting and distrusting were the same. I no longer cared if I lived or died, or if something happened to my family. I had to take the risk." Read part four of Carmen's story.
"'No!' I said once again, and suddenly, that so-called 'great guy,' who had promised he wouldn't hurt me, turned into a monster." Carmen shares part three of her story.
"Una vez más le dije, '¡No!' Entonces aquel hombre 'muy bueno,' el que me había prometido no hacerme daño, de repente se convirtió en un monstruo." Carmen cuenta la tercera parte de su historia.
"I was anxious and sorry I’d ever agreed to go with them. I didn’t know what to do – here I was in a car speeding down the middle of a highway in a strange place, with strange people. I wanted to cry." Carmen – sex trafficking survivor and Polaris spokesperson – shares part two of her story.
Como parte de la nueva campaña de Polaris, “Únete a la Solución”, consultora y vocera Carmen nos contará su experiencia a través de una serie de cinco entradas. Puedes leer la primera parte hoy.
As part of our new awareness campaign, “Únete a la Solución,” Polaris consultant and spokesperson Carmen is sharing her story in a five-part series. You can read the first part today.
