Survivor leadership in the anti-trafficking movement is critical to ending sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Victims’ experiences illustrate that trafficking and exploitation is a gender-based human rights violation operating on a massive global scale; their perspectives must shape and influence effective global anti-trafficking and gender equality policies and legislation.

Survivor Stories is a yearlong campaign that features first hand narratives from survivors of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation from around the world.  The campaign provides a forum for survivors to shape the conversation and be a part of the solution, and provides readers with related actions they can take to support the anti-trafficking and exploitation movement.  Survivor Stories was launched to coincide with the 57th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (March 2013), which discussed the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls.

Equality Now, in partnership with survivors and grassroots organizations, has been combatting sex trafficking and exploitation for more than 20 years.  We are committed to reducing the demand for commercial sex by advancing policies that criminalize buyers of sex, while decriminalizing those who are sold for sex and providing them with support services. This approach, the Nordic Model, has been proven effective in curbing sex trafficking and is gaining policy consideration by governments around the world.

All stories have been edited for length and clarity and certain stories were translated from the survivor’s original language. Where applicable, pseudonyms have been used to protect the survivor’s privacy.

Partners & Countries

AFESIP, Cambodia

AFESIP Cambodia works to care for and secure the rights of those victimized by human trafficking and sex slavery and to successfully rehabilitate and reintegrate survivors into mainstream society through financial independence, in a sustainable and innovative manner. They also combat the causes and consequences of trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation through outreach work in HIV/ AIDS prevention, advocacy work, campaigning, and representation and participation in women’s issues at national, regional and international forums.

Apne Aap, India

Apne Aap was founded in 2002 by 22 women from Mumbai’s red light district who envisioned a world where no woman could be bought or sold. Through their community centers and self-empowerment groups across the country, women and girls can safely gather, access education, improve their livelihood options and receive legal rights training. Apne Aap helps marginalized women and girls work collectively to lift themselves out of the sex industry and to advocate for policy change to stem the demand for purchased sex.

Buklod, Philippines

Buklod Center was established in 1987 as a drop-in center for prostituted and trafficked women outside the former U.S. Subic Naval Base in Olongapo. Buklod has Organizing, Education, Livelihood and Advocacy Networking programs for prostituted women.

ChildVoice International, Uganda

ChildVoice International is a non-profit organization seeking to restore the voices of children silenced by war by raising awareness, promoting research, and facilitating effective, sustainable interventions. ChildVoice operates a comprehensive program in Northern Uganda, including a rehabilitation center for formerly abducted girls and their children, a primary school and a health center.

New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition, USA

Klaipeda Social and Psychological Services Center, Lithuania

The Klaipeda Social and Psychological Services Center has preventive, rehabilitation and reintegration programs for victims of trafficking, domestic violence and sexual exploitation. They also provide shelter, a hotline and other support services.

Stigamot, Iceland

Stigamot is an NGO run by a collective of women, some of whom are survivors of gender-based violence. Stigamot advocates for women’s rights and for victims of sexual violence, and provides counseling and support to victim of sexual and physical violence.

Stories from partners in Brazil, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States are also in development.

For press inquiries, please contact Equality Now at: media@equalitynow.org or 212-586-0906x11. [read press release]

Equality Now would like to thank all our partners for their time and participation in the Survivors Stories campaign, Suzanna Finley for the use of her photography, and Deena Guzder for her editorial assistance.

Funding for this campaign generously provided by:
The Book Club - based in Los Angeles, this club of seven women is dedicated to creating a kinder more equitable world.