How can we “show love” for survivors of human trafficking?
The first step is to honor survivors of trafficking by making an effort to understand them, hear them, believe them. As ALIGHT works closely with survivors, we hear many different stories. Their experiences of fighting for their rights in our society after exiting, however, are often very similar. Many report that the system is against them.
“Dealing with the courts dominates your life for years.”
“I feel hopeless.”
“Everyone treats you as the problem. You have to prove yourself.”
“Even if you have all the resources in the world, it’s still an extremely painful process to enforce your basic rights.”
“Society shames be for hitting rock bottom and being taken advantage of. There is such a negative stigma. Like, how did I let that happen.”
For those of us fortunate to not have experienced abuse and trafficking in our lives, opening our hearts for a moment to have empathy for someone who has is important. Once we do, we can understand that survivors are not just one-dimensional stories but individuals with full humanity and complexity.
Some still struggle to stabilize, self-medicating with substances, and some are leading their own organizations to help others exit. Some are fighting for child custody while looking for a job. Some have worked for years after escaping, only to have the isolation of COVID-19 trigger their post-traumatic stress disorder. Some are comfortable being public with their stories and some are still coming unable to admit the full extent of what they have experienced.
ALIGHT is here to support survivors whoever they are, and wherever they are on their journey to freedom.
We invite you to join us in learning more and getting involved.
In Full Light,
ALIGHT
Support Survivors
ALIGHT exists to unlock a fresh start for survivors. We ENVISION a world where every human trafficking survivor connects to a mobilized legal network to rebuild and thrive.
NEWS
ALIGHT WELCOMES GEM FAMILY LAW FIRM TO OUR ATTORNEY NETWORK
ALIGHT is honored to welcome the 13 family law attorneys and 9 support staff of GEM Family Law to our work!
Trafficking survivors often have domestic relations problems. They may be married to their trafficker, or have children together. Some need protection orders as their intimate partners continue to harass and stalk them. By strengthening our network with family law expertise, ALIGHT can help even more survivors during the pandemic.
UPCOMING EVENTS
FEBRUARY 24, 2021 TRAUMA-INFORMED ENGAGEMENT LEGAL TRAINING, VIRTUAL
ALIGHT is delighted to announce our partnership with Project TRUST and the Sanar Institute to provide trauma-informed training and technical assistance to pro bono attorneys assisting human trafficking survivors. The training will address critical person-centered and trauma-informed engagement skills. The goals of the training include increasing understanding of trauma responses, identification of best practices in trauma-informed engagement and best practices in the practical implementation of these skills in a virtual environment.
You can take this training from anywhere! Register for this free webinar at 12-1:15 MST (2 – 3:15 EST) HERE.
MARCH 12, 2021 ALIGHT’s BIRTHDAY
ALIGHT turns 6 years old this year! We have had to cancel our in-person celebrations, but we hope to be with you in-person soon. If you would like to make a gift in honor of our birthday, we would be grateful.
Send ALIGHT a Birthday GiftAPRIL 29, 2021 18th ANNUAL HAWAII INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT, VIRTUAL
Rachel Niemiec, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, an ALIGHT Survivor Advisory Council Member, will join ALIGHT’s fellow co-founders of the National Survivor Law Collective to present on “Trauma-Informed Legal Advocacy on Behalf of Trafficking Survivors” to attorneys, survivor advocates, prosecutors and others working with trafficking survivors involved in the legal system.
This session will focus on a trauma-informed approach to helping human trafficking survivors through every step of the legal process, including intakes, client interviews, law enforcement interviews, prepping for court/trial, trial/court, and after court. This session will also focus on practicing compassion and non-judgment, empowering survivors throughout the legal process and overcoming the challenges presented by vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.
Register for the Summit that takes place April 26-30, 2021 HERE.
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