For Survivors
A place where you can be yourself and find support...
A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER TO SURVIVORS:
Dear Survivor,
Welcome. We are so glad you are here. We hope the Safety Compass website conveys our heartfelt desire to encourage you and to share resources with you so that you can make your own informed decisions about what steps to take on your path toward healing.
We are a group of allies that are here for you. We are a diverse community united in our passion to work for the health and benefit of the larger survivor-community: some of us are survivors of trafficking, homelessness, the foster system, poverty, assault, or abuse; some are not. There is no judgement here.
We do not assume to know what it's like to be you. We believe that each person’s experiences are unique to them. Each person's story is sacred and unlike any other. We exist to support you, full of belief in your whole self and your whole future. We know for certain your story doesn't end here. And one thing we all have in common is big love for you.
What does that mean?
It means we think you are perfectly awesome, whomever you are, right now in this moment.
You are worthy of respect.
You are priceless.
You are more than your trauma story.
You are more than your street name.
You are capable.
You hold wisdom.
Stay strong.
Keep your head high.
And know that there is support just a phone call away.
You don't have to be in this alone.
We believe in you.
From all of us at Safety Compass, welcome.
In Solidarity,
Esther Nelson | Founder
Welcome. We are so glad you are here. We hope the Safety Compass website conveys our heartfelt desire to encourage you and to share resources with you so that you can make your own informed decisions about what steps to take on your path toward healing.
We are a group of allies that are here for you. We are a diverse community united in our passion to work for the health and benefit of the larger survivor-community: some of us are survivors of trafficking, homelessness, the foster system, poverty, assault, or abuse; some are not. There is no judgement here.
We do not assume to know what it's like to be you. We believe that each person’s experiences are unique to them. Each person's story is sacred and unlike any other. We exist to support you, full of belief in your whole self and your whole future. We know for certain your story doesn't end here. And one thing we all have in common is big love for you.
What does that mean?
It means we think you are perfectly awesome, whomever you are, right now in this moment.
You are worthy of respect.
You are priceless.
You are more than your trauma story.
You are more than your street name.
You are capable.
You hold wisdom.
Stay strong.
Keep your head high.
And know that there is support just a phone call away.
You don't have to be in this alone.
We believe in you.
From all of us at Safety Compass, welcome.
In Solidarity,
Esther Nelson | Founder
“I never had the right language to explain what happened to me, or understood what I needed to help heal me, until I met another survivor and I saw myself in her.”
— Survivor
READING & RESOURCES
The Survivor's Guide To Leaving - By Survivors/ GEMS NY
http://www.gems-girls.org/gems-shop#the-survivors-guide-to-leaving
Girls Like Us - By Rachel Lloyd/ GEMS NY
http://www.amazon.com/Girls-Like-Us-Fighting-Activist/dp/0061582050/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302118551&sr=8-2
The Life Story
www.thelifestory.org
Rebecca Bender Initiative (faith-based)
www.rebeccabender.org
*****
http://www.gems-girls.org/gems-shop#the-survivors-guide-to-leaving
Girls Like Us - By Rachel Lloyd/ GEMS NY
http://www.amazon.com/Girls-Like-Us-Fighting-Activist/dp/0061582050/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1302118551&sr=8-2
The Life Story
www.thelifestory.org
Rebecca Bender Initiative (faith-based)
www.rebeccabender.org
*****
What is meant by the terms “commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking”?
Commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, when used by the general public, are interchangeable. However there are legal distinctions between state based and federal crimes of this nature, where in the language of the crimes refer to different acts.
Commercial Sexual Exploitation and/ or Sex trafficking is: Any sexual act traded for profit, that happens to a person under the age of 18, with or without their consent, OR, any sexual act traded for profit that happens to a person over the age of 18 through force, fraud, or coercion.
If unsure, some examples of questions you might ask yourself are:
If you can answer Yes to any of the above questions, our support services are here for you. This is not an exhaustive list of commercially sexually exploitative dynamics. If you feel that your involvement in the "lifestyle" was in any way harmful or abusive then our support services are for you.
Commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, when used by the general public, are interchangeable. However there are legal distinctions between state based and federal crimes of this nature, where in the language of the crimes refer to different acts.
Commercial Sexual Exploitation and/ or Sex trafficking is: Any sexual act traded for profit, that happens to a person under the age of 18, with or without their consent, OR, any sexual act traded for profit that happens to a person over the age of 18 through force, fraud, or coercion.
If unsure, some examples of questions you might ask yourself are:
- Have you ever been pressured into trading sex for a couch to sleep on? Or for rent/a meal/clothing/any necessities of life?
- Has anyone taken photos of you without your consent to advertise your availability for sex online?
- Has your intimate partner pressured you to have sex with his/her friends in exchange for money?
- Has someone forced you to have sex in exchange for profit by threatening you or someone you love with physical harm?
- Are you under the age of 18 involved in any sex act or production of any sexualized images, for profit?
If you can answer Yes to any of the above questions, our support services are here for you. This is not an exhaustive list of commercially sexually exploitative dynamics. If you feel that your involvement in the "lifestyle" was in any way harmful or abusive then our support services are for you.