Surviving Sex Trafficking and Healing the Soul

Not long ago, I shared with an acquaintance that I, like many, wish I could do something to help stop sex trafficking.

“Where would you have to go to help?” she replied.

When I told her I could go virtually anywhere or nowhere at all (LA is an epicenter), she was stunned, and far from alone in her belief.

Chances are, we’ve all had contact with someone who is being sex trafficked. It’s easy to think that it happens “everywhere but here,” only to young women from particular countries, or at the hands of a stereotypical pimp. But none of this is true.

Hundreds of thousands of children across the gender spectrum are sex trafficked each year in North America alone, contributing to an over $30 billion global industry. Many aren’t aware they’re being trafficked, which doesn’t make the impact any less devastating—no matter where it happens or who is involved.

Last year, I read a DAME Magazine article by Angela Featherstone, an accomplished actress, writer, film/TV producer and trafficking survivor turned advocate. The powerful piece details her experience realizing that she’d been trafficked.

Her story is rich with lessons for us all, from debunking myths about sex trafficking and rape, to ways to heal from trauma. I’m so grateful to have had the chance to chat with Angela about her journey on Girl Boner® Radio last week.

“The soul craves to be whole. The soul craves to be healed,” she told me. “That’s, I think, ultimately our thing here on Earth is to heal the brokenness.”

She’s a beautiful example of putting this in motion. Listen to the episode on iTunes or below. The episode also features fab insight from Dr. Megan, on ways to support a partner whose past sexual trauma is making sexual intimacy difficult.

To learn more about Angela and support her work, visit fuckpretty.org and follow her on Twitter (@Angiesez) and Facebook.

If you suspect you’re being trafficked, or wish to seek support for a loved one who might be, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1 (888) 373-7888, 24/7, or text HELP or INFO to 233733. You can also find support on their website traffickingresourcecenter.org. 

What did you think of the episode? What did you learn? How have you been affected by sex trafficking? If you’d prefer to weigh in privately, drop me a confidential note here.