When we began this month, we encouraged you, our supporters, to support the Blackout Trafficking challenge, where we use black clothing as a way to meditate on the tragedies that trafficked individuals face every day. Since then, our world has been turned upside down with the recent Corona Virus outbreaks, and we all find ourselves restricted in perhaps a much greater way, whether we like it or not. California is under lock down, but we must remember that we are still free to go grocery shopping and get all that we need to keep our families safe and healthy, and that survivors of exploitation are not strangers to isolation. In fact, what they have gone through in their trauma is much worse.
Many survivors in the thick of trafficking abuse and exploitation are forced to isolate for long periods of time at the command of their abusers. They are kept in hotel rooms or apartments for days at a time, sometimes weeks at a time, with their only company being sex buyers and their abusers. They are not allowed to see their family and are often separated from their children. Their abusers will restrict how much food they can have and will force drug abuse upon them. Unfortunately, leaving situations like this can be dangerous and is a choice that is not made lightly.
Then there are the survivors who are homeless and are sexually exploited when they struggle to find shelter. These women have no options, no safety, and are exposed to the dangers of their environment with no way to escape. Can you imagine being told to stay home and not leave when you have no home to go to?
Being forced to stay home and watching food disappear from the shelves in grocery stores has been a huge trigger reported by our clients. When you have faced hunger and isolation in such a toxic environment, getting through these tough times while being faced with uncertainty is not a new feeling for them. We ask that you keep YOUR survivor sisters in your prayers and continue to support our initiative to keep our doors open for them. We can only get through this together.
By Amanda Moon Ellevis