Survivors of human trafficking often must rebuild their lives from a place of instability, facing challenges most people never consider. In addition to the emotional traumas of the past, survivors sometimes face uncertain futures fraught with financial hardship after enduring economic abuse and coercion, legal obstacles from charges incurred during exploitation, and loss of opportunities due to educational setbacks. These few examples help us understand the complex realities of life after trafficking and highlight the importance of empowering survivors with the tools and skills they need to thrive.
Education is a critical part of empowering survivors and can help reduce vulnerability to exploitation. In one study examining girls who had experienced sexual exploitation, researchers found that roughly two out of every three girls who finished high school had exited exploitation by adulthood. (Reid, 2014, as cited in Wells et al., 2024).
At One More Child, our Anti-Trafficking Mobile Teams work alongside clients to help them achieve their goals as they recover, including educational goals. Recently, one of our advocates helped a teenage survivor overcome a small obstacle that could have quickly become a significant barrier to her education.
More than a Bus Ride
While other teenagers worried about passing tests and going to school dances, Mira* was facing unimaginable suffering inside her own home. She endured familial trafficking at the hands of her mother—the one person she should have been able to trust. When authorities discovered what was happening, a child welfare agency intervened, and Mira was referred to One More Child.
Our team began working with Mira immediately, becoming a steady and reliable presence in her life. Over the next year and a half, we helped Mira navigate mental health challenges, heal from her trauma, learn new life skills, and advocate for her needs. Mira’s life slowly began to turn around—including academically. Now 17 years old, Mira is working hard in high school to build a solid foundation for her future. She recently transferred to a new school she really liked, and wanted to keep attending, but one obstacle stood in the way: transportation.
Mira’s only option was public transportation, which she had never used before. She felt apprehensive at the idea of navigating the journey to and from school alone. When Mira shared her concern with our team, our Advocate suggested they figure it out together.
The Advocate met Mira at her house and set a plan in motion. They researched the route, plotted each step, and then, with free bus passes provided by One More Child, set off on practice trips. Along the way, the Advocate and Mira discussed what to do if she misses a bus, how to spot familiar landmarks, how to use the bus app to check schedules, and how to ask the driver for help when needed.
They successfully completed the trip to Mira’s new school and back home. In the process, Mira gained a new skill, a feeling of independence, and confidence in her own ability. Our teams are there to walk—or in this case, ride—alongside our clients through every mile of their healing journey, for the big moments and the small.
*Name and photo changed for privacy.
Leading with Law Enforcement
Mira is not the only teenage girl facing the challenges that follow escaping sexual exploitation, and no survivor of trafficking should have to walk through their healing journey alone.
At One More Child, our teams often come alongside survivors from the moment they are recovered and continue to walk with them for as long as it takes to find freedom. Through our multi-disciplinary approach, we meet the tangible, emotional, and spiritual needs of those we serve.
You can join our mission to bring hope and healing to trafficking survivors, while preventing one more from being coerced into exploitation:
- Give to support survivors. Our mission is sustained through the faithful generosity of supporters like you. Your gift today helps meet urgent needs for vulnerable children and struggling families.
- Understand the problem. Our FREE online training course — Anti-Trafficking: 101 — equips you to recognize exploitation and take action to stop it.
- Practice online safety. The internet has become increasingly dangerous for children, as traffickers and groomers exploit digital spaces. Learn how to protect children through our FREE Online Safety training.
Together, we can end the exploitation of children.