The “Rescue” mentality – That’s not how this works, that’s not how any of this works!

By Margie Quin, CEO

There are so many myths surrounding human trafficking, and I’m not just talking about the easy stuff like where it happens and to whom. It’s hard to pick just one myth, but I read an article by Thorn guest writer, Stephany Powell, about “rescue” and so much of it hit home I thought I’d start there.

I dislike the term “rescue” – it evokes an image of a superhero flying in and rescuing damsels or gentlemen in distress. First, superheroes are for movies and comic books, and second - human trafficking victims don’t present like that. It looks and feels very different than a “rescue” at the point of contact. When a victim/survivor meets with law enforcement or victim services, it’s awkward and uncomfortable. As a retired law enforcement agent, I have been in the hotel room or on the side of the road with a victim dozens and dozens of times – and each contact feels different.

Anybody who tells you there is a formula for that is mistaken. Sure, there are strategies which are more likely than others to be effective, but each person is different. Each person is in a different place. Each person has a different story. Each person needs a different approach. There are some common themes, but survivors are unique, and they require individualized care. Every day, their faces run like a kaleidoscope through my mind. None ever looked happy to see me.

Wouldn’t it be easy if they were jumping up and down yelling, “save me, save me!”? That survivor is the one percenter – and they don’t always stay in that mindset. Many don’t even think of themselves as victims, just an unfortunate example of bad decisions and worse choices. I heard Becca Stevens say one time, “if that was her choice, what were her options?” Right???!!! I also attended a session at one of Shared Hope International’s yearly conferences called, “The illusion of choice.”

Commercial sexual exploitation is no choice at all – it’s the last resort, the end of the line. If there is a rescue to be done, it should happen long before the end of the line.

Many survivors become so ingrained and beat down into the “Life”. They learn to adapt, cope and live in an alternate reality. A very different reality than the where you and I live. Many times that world demands a heavy drug addiction to survive the trauma and chaos. Many people have asked me whether trafficking survivors are drug addicts because of trauma or are they trafficking survivors because of drug addiction. My response is, “does it really matter?” That is literally a question of which came first, the chicken or the egg. At the end of the day, you have a trafficking survivor and a drug addict. Not every single trafficking survivor is a drug addict, but more often than not, that is the case. Over 60% of the survivor referrals to ESTN in 2018 were opioid addicted.

Change is hard, even if it’s in your best interest. Think about how hard it is to cut out social media or stop smoking – now think about changing your entire life, moving, cutting out every addictive vice you have ever relied upon to manage a rough day, not to mention trauma or mental illness. Tough stuff. That’s where we come in at End Slavery Tennessee – a viable choice. When I used to meet with victims in hotels and on roadsides, it was a game-changer to have End Slavery Tennessee along-side me at the moment of contact. All of a sudden, victims looked different, they went from angry and sad to thoughtful. (You thought I was going to say happy – right?) No, not happy – but they were watchful, speculative, inquisitive. They didn’t always accept help that day. They were too careful and mistrustful of anything that sounds too good to be true.

We sell a dream – the dream of something that looks and feels very different. We work for stability, housing, therapy, addiction treatment, community – a life away from the chaos. It’s tempting, but the last person who sold them a dream probably didn’t deliver it.

Even when they didn’t leave with ESTN, they left just a little bit hopeful. In the words of one, “Thank you for being out here for us – who knows, maybe you can save me one day.” I hope so too, the seed had been planted.

Our philosophy at End Slavery Tennessee is that we will meet survivors where they are – and that doesn’t just mean geographically. We will meet the needs of that person in that time and in that space. Sometimes it’s safe housing, drug addiction treatment, dental, medical, educational, mental health assistance, childcare or a strong shoulder to lean on. Whatever the need, we will bend over backwards to provide the service ourselves or through our many community partners. This is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, healing takes a long time. So, while the “rescue” may sound sexy, what comes after is anything but. It’s a slog through uncharted territory for many. End Slavery Tennessee is there slogging through every tough step with that survivor.

“We can’t talk about the here and now with a heroic mindset. We have to think of the years of healing and in terms of sustainability.” (Powell) We all want to think that what we are doing is making a difference, but that’s not the same as “saving” people. We must be wary of the savior complex and not get caught up in doing this work to make ourselves feel better – this is about making others feel better. Sometimes it doesn’t make you feel better.

As referrals for survivor care continue to increase we focus less and less on the “rescue” and more on the sustainability of an agency committed to aftercare and community. We offer an alternative to jails, prisons and sexual assault. We don’t offer rescue, we offer restoration.

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