Power in Our Words: Empowering Human Trafficking Survivors
By Elizabeth Gilreath
Our words have power. We can all think of a time when words have put a giant smile on our face or made our eyes well up with tears. In the same way that we may have been hurt or encouraged by the words of others, we can use our words to empower those around us, particularly survivors of human trafficking! Ephesians 4:29 tells us “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Can you imagine enduring the pain and horrid nature of human trafficking and then reentering a society that judges or looks down on you because of what you have gone through? You may not know someone who has been trafficked, or at least you think you do not. In reality, you never know what those around you are going through or have been through. According to the National Sexual Assault Violence Resource Center, in the United States 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual assault or harassment during their life. This tells us that you likely know someone or may yourself have experienced sexual trauma.
What if we listened before assuming we understand someone’s story or judging them? The Bible tells us in the book of James that we should be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” On the Inspire Counseling Center website, Cyndi Benner shares some practical ways to respond when someone shares their trauma. A few of these are described below. If someone bravely shares their story, even though you may be curious to hear the details, it is more important for the person to be believed and listened to. You could be the first person to believe them. After we listen, the way we respond can have a big impact on their healing process. In addition, validate the person’s feelings. Sit with them in the anger, grief, and sadness. Choose to respond with empathy and compassion the same way Jesus does to us! It is also important to empower your friend to share things at their own pace and with whom they would like. Understand that when someone shares their experiences with you this is no small feat. You have likely garnered their trust as a safe person to share with, so respond with compassion and love.
Whether or not someone directly tells us about their personal experiences, we need to be mindful of what we say on a regular basis. You never know who is listening. So, let’s be people who do not joke about sexual abuse, sexual assault, or trafficking. In doing so, we can show that we take sexual abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking seriously.
We can further empower others through prayer for those impacted by sex trafficking. Finally, let’s educate ourselves on human trafficking, get involved in fighting it, and championing survivors in our own communities and nationally! You could look into the legislature in your area regarding human trafficking and how it is impacting survivors. You can help child sex trafficking victims by sharing One Bread Foundation’s mission and cause. Please forward this email to friends or family members and encourage them to subscribe to our mailing list at onebread.org.
Truly we are better together, so let’s walk with our brothers and sisters who have gone through trafficking and seek the best for them.
Citations
How to Respond When Someone Shares their Trauma Story with you