How is it possible to encapsulate the emotions that millions of people have grappled with when healing from the abuse they have survived after sexual exploitation?

People are uncomfortable talking about sex trafficking and the horrors involved. Often the stories are told, intentionally or not, in a way that blame victims and has judgmental tones creating shame that survivors internalise. This shame weighs heavily on survivors of sexual abuse and hinders the ability to heal.

Poverty is a driving force behind debt-based coercion and many victims and their families experience stigma in the form of blame or shaming. We have heard people ask us ‘how could a parent sell their child?’ But it is rarely the truth, most of the time it is debt-bondage and the families are never in control to make a choice.

Vothana* was welcomed into the home last year as an 11 year old. Growing up in a violent home, she was sexually exploited regularly… by someone the family knows well. Now She is safe in the home and on the journey of healing from her trauma. Her future is bright. But the hurt isn’t always over the moment they walk through our doors.