Emancipation Nation

Send a text

This episode is devoted to those that need to understand the basics of human trafficking. Join me to learn what human trafficking is, how it happens, who is involved and more.

Send a text

Dr. Lauren Martin discusses the Safe Harbor Act in Minnesota to protect victims of trafficking. This is a law that is present in several states across the U.S.  Lauren discusses the law and the possible expansion of that law to include decriminalizing the sellers of transactional sex. This law has been referred to as the Nordic Model. Minnesota refers to it as "Partial Decriminalization". Advocates there do not want to take the chance arresting and re-traumatizing a victim who needs services instead of conviction. To engage in discussions, organizers held several meetings with a variety of groups, with some of the most important voices being those of survivors. In Minnesota's view, survivors were included as critical members of the collaboration with a professional opinion to share. These advocates believe they wouldn't ask a police office to come to table to share his/her story, and we would ask his/her professional opinion - as it should be with survivors. Lauren discusses the importance of action research in developing policy and services for and with those involved in "transactional sex", a term used to recognize the need for those involved to self identify as survivors of sex trafficking, sex workers, or other terms they choose to use.

Send a text

A powerful podcast with Shamin Brown, artist, activist, and thriver who discusses her experience as a victim of sex trafficking and other abuses and provides human trafficking advocates with the message that above all else is the need to be nonjudgmental, authentic, and trust worthy and to have self-compassion while doing this work.

Powerful Take-Aways from the Podcast with Artist, Activist, Survivor and Thriver Shamin Brown

• Not having agency or control over your own body is often what happens to victims. Whenever possible, make sure survivors have agency, freedom, and self-determination during their healing and recovery experience.
• The individual experience of recovery is different for everyone. 
• Fundamental healing comes about from people loving people.
• Survivors and other helpers have to learn to have self-compassion.
• There is a difference between shame vs guilt. Shame is never appropriate.
• In working with survivors, emphasize their worth along with their progress – worth comes first.
• Always value someone’s inherent worth.
• Our job is to show survivors love until they are able to give themselves the love they need.
• We have to earn the right to hear someone’s story and survivors deserve the right to share their story in a safe environment.
• Develop authentic, transparent relationships with survivors in order to do the deeper, effective work.
• Know your limits. Know what you’re good at and the best ways you can contribute. Everyone isn’t suited for direct service work. There are so many ways to get involved and do meaningful work.
• Know the difference between intention and impact. Your intention may be good, but your impact may be poor.
• Practice nonjudgement in your daily life.
• Non-traditional therapies and culturally appropriate healing may be included as a part of the healing process.
• Follow Shamin to learn more about responsible survivor engagement in employment, peer leadership, mentoring and more. Learn about those ways to help survivors engage in helping others, while making space for their own recovery.

Send a text

The first episode is devoted to introducing the host, discussing the purpose for the podcast, and providing listeners with the format for the podcast, which is to bring on guests that have extensive experience and expertise in the anti-trafficking field to share the latest knowledge. Listeners will be informed and will be able to implement those best practices shared on the weekly podcast.