Traffikid &Trafficking Tales

Human trafficking is a social phenomenon that is challenging to evaluate scientifically due to the hidden nature of this crime. Consequently, many well-intentioned solutions have led to re-victimization and even further damage to survivors, adding an extra layer of complexity to their struggle for survival. There is a pressing need to define evidence-based effective solutions, and one of the most valuable resources we have is the National Survivor Study by the Polaris Project. This study, the largest and most significant effort to date, was designed and implemented by survivors themselves to provide insights into their experiences and needs for healing. The study highlights that the most valuable support sources reported by survivors were “my own resourcefulness.”, counselling/therapy, and relationships with other survivors.

Globally, there are an array of organizations that offer a range of services including shelter, legal assistance, counselling, and advocacy for human trafficking survivors. While these organizations are well-intentioned, they frequently encounter difficulties in delivering effective solutions due to limited resources and a lack of targeted awareness about the specific needs of survivors. This can lead to gaps in support that hinder the survivors’ ability to fully recover and reintegrate into society.

Research on the specific mental health issues and cognitive impacts resulting from trafficking experiences, while emerging, is still extremely limited, leaving us with astonishingly little knowledge about the natural history of these challenges or how best to support survivors. According to the International Labour Organization, survivors spend an average of 6.9 years in trafficking situations. During this time, irreversible damage is done, and many lose years of education, childhoods, and world experience. Survivors face irrevocable repercussions due to the trafficking they sustained, unequivocally categorizing it as an adverse childhood experience (ACE). The focus is often on rescuing individuals, as there is a very small window of opportunity before they are lost in the dark underbelly of society. However, the lasting impacts on these individuals are rarely discussed. Once rescued, survivors are often forgotten and left to fend for themselves.

According to the U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, thousands of survivors in the USA struggle to rebuild their lives without adequate resources. Trafficking survivors face challenges such as alienation, lack of basic documents, limited access to financial resources, inadequate shelter, and few viable employment opportunities. Without proper support, survivors risk re-victimization. While various organizations offer essential services, these efforts are often unsustainable and lack coordination. To develop effective solutions, it is crucial to scientifically define the problem based on the objective reality of this global crisis. Survivors need more than just immediate rescue; they require long-term support and resources to heal and reintegrate. The gaps in the current support system leave survivors vulnerable and underserved, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced, coordinated solutions that are data-driven, based on emerging scientific evidence, and utilizing modern communication tools.

Our solution is a multimedia project consisting of a monograph and documentary that provides a platform for experience experts to share their invaluable experiences with those at risk, victims, and other survivors seeking answers and help. These narratives will cover their feelings, fears, stories, failures, and successes. By documenting and disseminating these insights, we aim to equip our audience with direct tools and education.

The rationale for our intervention is strongly supported by findings from the National Survivor Study by the Polaris Project. This study identifies the most effective methods reported by survivors: “their own resourcefulness,” counselling/therapy, and relationships with other survivors. Our strategy focuses on these key areas, ensuring that our solution provides effective support based on what has been proven to work best according to survivors themselves.

We will harness the nature of social algorithms to make technology work for societal good and benefit. By strategically using these algorithms, we can ensure that our content reaches the right audience: those at risk of human trafficking, current victims, and survivors. By providing stories and snippets that are likely to be suggested by social media platforms, we aim to make our content easily discoverable and accessible.

By gathering data from these case series, we aim to raise awareness and inspire policy changes to improve support systems in an evidence-based manner. By sharing success stories and practical advice, we aim to build a knowledge base grounded in the societal wisdom of those who have directly experienced human trafficking and have experimented with possible solutions.

Roadmap:

Interviews: We will conduct in-depth interviews with survivors across various states and countries, focusing on diverse demographics (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, men, women, and individuals trafficked as children).

Media Production: An already assembled team of cinematographers, directors, and producers will create the documentary, ensuring the stories are conveyed compellingly.

Distribution: through various platforms, including social media, podcasts, academia and printed copies.

Revenue: will be funnelled back to institutions supporting survivors, ensuring the project not only raises awareness, but also provides tangible support to the survivor community.

Technology Utilization: The project will use modern communication tools and data-driven approaches to enhance human-centered impact. This includes AI to optimize storytelling, analyze data, and improve delivery. Our goal is to leverage technology to address human problems by fostering genuine connections and understanding. By amplifying the human element with technology, we make our content more relatable and impactful for our audience.

Scientific Basis

Trauma-Informed Care: Our approach is grounded in the principles of trauma-informed care, which emphasizes understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma (SAMHSA, 2014).

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET): Has been shown to be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms and improving mental health outcomes for survivors of severe trauma (Schauer, Neuner, & Elbert, 2011).

Resilience and Empowerment: This approach aligns with the strengths-based perspective, which focuses on individuals’ strengths and resources to overcome adversity (Saleebey, 2012).

Digital Storytelling: A powerful tool for education based on current research of how humans process information more effectively (Couldry, 2008).

We acknowledge the inherent risks involved, such as privacy and security concerns for survivors sharing their stories, and the dangers posed to current victims who might be further punished by their traffickers or abusers if found engaging with our project. Here is how we address and mitigate these potential risks:

Informed Consent: Given the public nature and wide reach of our materials, obtaining informed consent is crucial. Participants are fully informed about how their data will be used and the potential risks associated with going public with their stories. We discuss the possibility of retribution by traffickers while also highlighting the success of many activists who have shared their experiences publicly. Clear communication about participation and potential harms ensures that volunteers are well-informed. Participants can withdraw their consent at any time, maintaining control over their personal information.

For our audience still in unsafe situations as victims, we include reminders in our materials to clear browsing history to avoid any repercussions or punishment from their traffickers. This precaution helps protect their privacy and potential escape plans.

Trauma-Informed Approach: Due to the sensitive nature of the content, we adopt a trauma-informed approach in all interactions and technological implementations. Our team is trained to recognize and respond appropriately to trauma, ensuring that our technology does not retraumatize participants or viewers.

Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with stakeholders, including survivor advocacy groups, lived experience experts, and legal experts, helps us address ethical and policy concerns comprehensively, avoiding putting survivors in danger from retaliation or legal issues. Safety Reviews: Before making any material public, it undergoes multiple layers of safety reviews, including evaluations by legal and advocacy groups. This process ensures that the information provided is appropriate for vulnerable populations and minimizes risks.

Our solution is designed to serve survivors of human trafficking, current victims, and individuals at risk of trafficking. This includes diverse demographics such as BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, men, women, and children. Many of these individuals have faced severe trauma, social stigma, and lack of resources, making their reintegration into society extremely challenging.

Our primary goal is focused on empowering the intrinsic resiliency of the individual.  By watching these narratives, the audience gains valuable insights into the strategies that worked for others, what to avoid, and how to navigate their own recovery and empowerment journey.

-Mental Health and Resilience: Hearing the stories of others who have overcome similar challenges helps the audience feel less isolated and more understood. This connection can significantly boost mental health and resilience, as individuals realize they are not alone in their struggles and that recovery is possible.

-Legal and Safety Information: The materials will provide information about legal rights and resources intertwined in the stories. By learning from the experiences of others, the audience can better navigate legal landscapes, avoid common pitfalls, and protect themselves from potential retribution or legal issues.

-Economic Empowerment: Success stories of survivors who have achieved economic independence serve as powerful examples for the audience. By detailing the steps taken to secure employment, vocational training, and financial stability, these stories provide a roadmap for others to follow, encouraging economic empowerment and independence.

-Building Supportive Communities: By reducing stigma and encouraging the sharing of experiences, the audience can build supportive relationships that are crucial for recovery and reintegration. Learning from others’ experiences helps individuals understand the importance of supportive networks and how to cultivate them.

-Impact on Storytellers: While the primary focus is on the audience, the survivors sharing their stories also benefit. By telling their stories, they gain a sense of agency and empowerment, contributing to their own healing process. Additionally, their narratives help to raise awareness and drive policy changes, creating a broader impact that benefits the entire survivor community.

Our team is uniquely positioned to deliver this solution due to our deep connection to the communities we serve and our diverse expertise. Together with multiple lived experience experts, our founder Gwen Cassady brings personal experience and tireless advocacy to the forefront, ensuring our approach is both empathetic and effective. Gwen has lived through homelessness and human trafficking, and she channels her resilience and passion into our mission. By actively engaging with survivor networks and advocacy groups, we stay attuned to the evolving needs and challenges faced by those we aim to help.

Our multidisciplinary team includes professionals from social work, mental health, legal advocacy, and digital media. This diversity enables us to address the complex needs of survivors comprehensively. Our academically strong team members guide us in combining technologically innovative approaches with evidence-based strategies validated through peer-reviewed research, ensuring our methods are both effective and scientifically sound.

We involve survivors and community members in every stage of the project, from design to implementation. Our approach is deeply human-centered, driven by the understanding that behind every statistic is a person with a story. We see and personally understand the individuals we serve fully, without judgment, recognizing their unique gifts and assets. This focus on human dignity, connection, and community is at the heart of everything we do, making our project not just a solution but a movement towards societal healing.

Having built a strong foundation through our previous work and now expanding our reach and impact to Human trafficking, here is what we have accomplished so far:

We created an award-winning feature-length social justice documentary titled “If It Could Happen To Me, It Could Happen To You.” This film explores the epidemic of homelessness across 11 major U.S. cities, focusing on the lives of marginalized individuals and how they became homeless. It has won 11 awards, including:

• Best Feature Documentary Film at the LA Sun Film Fest

• Best Documentary Feature at the New York Arthouse Film Fest

• Finalist for Best Documentary Feature at Cannes World Film Festival

• Multiple awards for Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising

Through our documentary and related advocacy efforts, we have reached and impacted thousands of individuals, raising awareness and cultivating  a deeper understanding of homelessness. Our film has been screened in various forums, influencing public opinion and policy discussions. We have engaged with homeless communities and advocacy groups across multiple cities, ensuring that the voices and needs of the most marginalized are central to our work.

Our team members have also participated in advocacy on a global scale, contributing to discussions and initiatives at the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the Interparliamentary Task Force on Human Trafficking. These experiences have enhanced our understanding of the broader systemic issues and have equipped us with the insights and networks necessary to tackle human trafficking effectively.

While the financial prize is crucial, the additional benefits offered by MIT Solve are invaluable to our mission:

-Being selected as a finalist and having our solution published on Solve’s site will significantly increase our project’s visibility. This exposure can attract additional support, funding, and partnerships, helping us achieve our goals more effectively.

-The Challenge will connect us with a global network of experts and like-minded organizations. These connections will open up opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and potential partnerships, further amplifying our impact and reach. 

-“Knowledge is power.” The Professional executive leadership coaching will enhance our team’s skills, enabling us to become a stronger and more efficient team to  maximize our impact. 

-Access to in-kind resources such as software licenses will significantly boost our technical capabilities. These licenses will allow us to utilize advanced tools for data analysis and content creation, improving the overall quality and impact of our project.

-Pro bono legal support will help us navigate the complex legal landscape surrounding human trafficking advocacy to avoid the pitfalls of creating legal problems

-The funding available through the Challenge would enable us to scale our project more rapidly and reach a broader audience. This financial support will help cover production costs, expand our multimedia content, and enhance our outreach efforts.

By harnessing modern technology with a humane touch, we transform it into a tool for societal good. Grounded in scientific evidence directly from Lived Experience Experts and informed by concepts in Psychology, we use storytelling and trauma-informed care to heal, empower, and connect; ensuring we avoid harm and maximize the positive impact.

Theory of Change

Activities: Our project focuses on creating a documentary featuring stories and narratives of human trafficking survivors. This documentary is designed specifically for people at risk, victims, and survivors. The activities involved are:

1. Collecting Narratives: Interviewing survivors to document their experiences.

2. Creating Content: Producing a documentary and related educational materials.

3. Disseminating Information: Using modern communication tools to widely share these stories.

4. Providing Resources: Offering information on legal rights, mental health support, vocational training, and educational opportunities.

Immediate Outputs:

1. Published Documentary: A compelling documentary that highlights survivor experiences and educates viewers.

2. Resource Database: An accessible collection of information and tools for survivors and those at risk.

3. Educational Content: Materials that inform the public and policymakers about human trafficking and effective interventions.

Short-Term Outcomes:

1. Increased Awareness: The general public gains a deeper understanding of human trafficking and the challenges survivors face, fostering empathy and support.

2. Empowerment of Survivors: Survivors feel validated and empowered by sharing their stories and contributing to a larger cause.

3. Resource Utilization: Victims and those at risk access the provided resources, aiding in their recovery and reintegration.

Long-Term Outcomes:

1. Policy Changes: Enhanced public awareness and advocacy efforts lead to improved policies and support systems for trafficking survivors.

2. Community Support: A stronger network of support and resources for survivors, reducing isolation and stigma.

3. Sustainable Recovery: Survivors achieve long-term recovery and independence through access to comprehensive support systems.

Our impact goals focus on increasing awareness about human trafficking, empowering survivors, enhancing resource utilization, and influencing policy changes. To achieve these goals, we aim to increase public understanding and empathy by tracking documentary views, social media engagement, and media mentions. We empower survivors by providing a platform for their stories and monitoring participation and feedback. We enhance resource utilization by tracking downloads and referrals to support services, and we influence policy changes by engaging with policymakers and tracking legislative actions inspired by our advocacy.

We measure progress through surveys, feedback forms, analytics tools, resource tracking, policy impact assessments, and longitudinal studies. These methods allow us to gather quantitative and qualitative data to assess the effectiveness of our documentary and resources, ensuring we create transformational changes in the lives of human trafficking survivors and those at risk. 

Our solution leverages modern digital communication tools to effectively disseminate the powerful narratives generated by our video content, which are grounded in scientific principles of psychology and trauma-informed care. We use advanced video production software to create high-quality documentaries featuring survivor stories, which are then shared through online streaming platforms to reach a broad audience. Data analytics tools are employed to track viewer engagement, resource utilization, and social media interactions, allowing us to continuously refine our approach and ensure our content remains impactful.

In addition to digital storytelling, our approach is guided by trauma-informed care principles supported by psychological and neuroscientific research. This integrated use of technology ensures our efforts are scientifically sound, human-centered, and capable of creating meaningful and sensitive to the needs of trauma survivors.

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In our case it happened naturally and we have learned the importance of what diversity brings to the overall success of a project. 

Our business model focuses on providing value to survivors of human trafficking, current victims, and individuals at risk through impactful multimedia content. We produce a documentary featuring survivor narratives, which serves as an educational and therapeutic tool.  We distribute our content through online streaming platforms, social media, and film festivals ensuring wide accessibility. Our funding comes from grants and donations aimed at raising awareness and supporting human trafficking survivors. 

Our financial sustainability plan involves securing grants from foundations and government agencies, running crowdfunding campaigns, establishing partnerships and sponsorships, and engaging in service contracts with government agencies and non-profits.