CONTENT WARNING: Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking

Megan Lundstrom is the Co-Founder and Director of Research at The Avery Center, an organization that creates trauma-informed services backed by survivor-led sex trafficking research. Megan has consulted for the Department of Homeland Security and Polaris Project and has created and delivered training and educational presentations in the academic community as well as a variety of organizations including the Commercial Sexual Exploitation Institute at Villanova University Law School. Ms. Lundstrom’s research on cultic theory was internationally published through United Nations University and presented at the International Cultic Studies Association annual conference. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and a Master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado.

Megan shares with Rachel the intimate details of her story of survival, explaining how her upbringing in a legalistic Christian cult contributed to her vulnerability to sex trafficking. Throughout their emotional conversation, Rachel and Megan unpack the characteristics of high control groups pointing out the similarities in the playbook of sex traffickers. They explore her healing journey so far and the story of how she came to co-found the Avery Center and work towards restorative justice.

Before You Go: Rachel points out how incapable law enforcement can be in their pursuit of sex trafficking perpetrators, and explains the importance of prioritizing survivors' needs while navigating the changes necessary in the policy and practice of law enforcement.

More info on The Avery Center here:

https://theaverycenter.org/

More on Megan's story here:

https://www.elle.com/culture/a36898189/0086-0088-megan-s-account-august-2021/

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