Funding for Direct Service and Survivor Led NGOs Desperately Needed

Participating in the “Faces of Human Trafficking” video series was an honor. It provided me with a platform in this movement. As one of the first males and the first gay male survivor to go public about being a sex trafficking victim, this project challenged gender stereotypes and paved the way for LGBT youth to be recognized as victims too.

Through years of community-based work and outreach, I have identified a pressing need to redirect funds from awareness campaigns to direct services, specifically those provided by survivor-led NGOs. These organizations are crucial in offering community-based social services, and a comprehensive, client-centered program is necessary to help survivors achieve their goals from start to finish. 

Services should center more on the one-stop shop model. This model covers all clients’ needs in one location, saving time and being cost-effective. It would include drop-in centers and residential programs tailored to individuals, providing a safe space for services, medical care, and support. By implementing these strategies, we can provide comprehensive care and support for survivors of human trafficking, helping them rebuild their lives and achieve lasting independence.

” As a case worker, I observed flaws in thestructure of directservices. During nightoutreach, clients oftenseek drug treatment but face obstacles likeunavailable beds,changes in referralsystems, insuranceissues, and programsrunning on a 9-5schedule. This systemseems designed bysomeone with no real-life experience”