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
EMERGENCY RESPONSE ADVOCACY PROGRAM
The Sexual Exploitation Emergency Response, Validation, and Empowerment Program is a culturally specific advocacy service for commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking survivors in both Marion and Clackamas County, OR. We send advocates into the community 24-7, at the request of law enforcement, to meet with survivors needing support. If you are wondering who fits this description, see bottom of this page: Who Fits This Description?
FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM
The family support program works to connect parents and loved ones of youth and young adults who have been lured into the world of commercial sexual exploitation. Support teams act as a source of encouragement and community for parents who are grieving the feelings of fear and loss that come when children are lured into "the life" and are either missing or not in regular communication due to their exploitation. Visit the For Parents and Loved Ones page on this site to find resources. Call to access support.
THE YOUTH CONNECTIONS ADVOCACY PROGRAM
The Youth Connections Program focuses on early intervention and empowerment for youth that are at risk for commercial sexual exploitation due to past abuse, a history of running away from home, repeated displacement in foster care, or exposure to solicitation or recruitment from potential traffickers and buyers. The YC program works to offer comprehensive resource referrals to existing service providers in Marion County and beyond so that teens are aware of their options and can make informed choices about what kinds of support to access. We believe that by helping at risk teens access the kinds of support they need to heal, we are helping individuals, families and communities empower themselves to thrive. We believe addressing risk factors in teens' lives due to experiences with displacement, poverty, ageism, classism, racism, and/or homophobia contributes directly to primary prevention of commercial sexual exploitation.
*****
*****
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
*****
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
*****
Who fits this description?
What is meant by the terms “commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking”?
Commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, when used by the general public, can be used interchangeably. 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 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, can be used interchangeably. 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.
- 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.