Familial Trafficking survivors are trafficked within their own homes and communities by those who should be there to care, love, and protect them. As a result of the trafficker being a family member or caregiver, the survivors are never reported missing and there are no reports made to child protective services. There is no one looking for them.
As a movement, there must be a change in how we address child trafficking.
Friday, January 19, 2024
Exploitation of a Survivor
As a survivor leader I feel that it is my duty to inform.
I get regular requests to do interviews, speak or make videos on issues related to human trafficking.
If you request a survivor to make a video, do an interview or speak, please note that this is how many survivors earn a living. Therefore, if You ask for this without compensation, you are guilty of labor exploitation.
Further,
If you use our stories or images in a way that we have Not fully consented to, such as adding to them or using them with inappropriate images representing survivors, such as women or children tied up or in bondages of any kind. Then you are exploiting us for your own purposes without our express consent!
Please respect the voices of survivors by either taking down the inappropriate images, compensating survivors when you ask for these 'favors', and by being proactive by treating survivors as Professionals.
I am disturbed by the frequency I am getting asked by former law enforcement to do 'favors' for them by making videos for free!
Asking survivors to do videos or talks without compensation is another form of exploitation.
From now on, don't ask without first booking a paid appointment.
I get regular requests to do interviews, speak or make videos on issues related to human trafficking.
If you request a survivor to make a video, do an interview or speak, please note that this is how many survivors earn a living. Therefore, if You ask for this without compensation, you are guilty of labor exploitation.
Further,
If you use our stories or images in a way that we have Not fully consented to, such as adding to them or using them with inappropriate images representing survivors, such as women or children tied up or in bondages of any kind. Then you are exploiting us for your own purposes without our express consent!
Please respect the voices of survivors by either taking down the inappropriate images, compensating survivors when you ask for these 'favors', and by being proactive by treating survivors as Professionals.
I am disturbed by the frequency I am getting asked by former law enforcement to do 'favors' for them by making videos for free!
Asking survivors to do videos or talks without compensation is another form of exploitation.
From now on, don't ask without first booking a paid appointment.
PAY the survivors!
It's a touchy subject for survivors and an eye rolling subject for others.
(In this post I'll focus on Human Trafficking survivors but this can be for any survivor.)
Many survivors are sick of not being paid. I see their posts and I hear their frustrations.
Trust me, I get it.
How do we stop this?
How do we get others to take us seriously?
First and foremost it starts with YOU.
If someone or any entity reaches out to you to share your story, and they have no funds to pay you or can't meet your price- you have to be okay with telling them no.
Do not waste your time getting upset or giving them a lecture on how you deserve to be paid. Just say no and move on.
Also- don't knock on other survivors who accept the gigs you said no to.
We need to empower each other NOT disapprove of each other.
Yes, you may be a survivor but speaking is a business. So treat it as such. You have to carry yourself in the same way you'd like to be treated.
With respect and grace.
(And no I'm not saying your not doing this. I'm just saying always carry yourself in this way when it comes to you and your speaking business.)
These networks talk about the good people just as much as they talk about the bad ones.
Another thing I'd like to share and some may come at me for it but at the end it's constructive NOT destructive.
Just because you have a story doesn't mean you're a great speaker.
Again, PUBLIC SPEAKING IS A BUSINESS.
Invest in yourself.
Dedicate time in becoming the best.
Don't compare yourself.
This is a unique niche and there's room for ALL of us.
Get a life coach.
Get a mentor.
Go on YouTube and watch free classes on how to be an even better speaker.
If you have the money, go to public speaking seminars.
Moxie Institute is where I went to learn from the best. My mentor introduced to this.
Appearance is everything. I mean this.
When I walk into a room people assume I'm a donor or CEO, never the speaker.
Learn business etiquette.
Know your audience- each speaking engagement that you do will be different.
Know who's hiring you.
It's nice to be paid, but if you accidentally associate yourself with something or someone that's crappy, it can bite you in the ass in the future.
There are plenty of people out there that will pay you for your time and speaking services.
I promise you that if you do these things, you will find them.
(In this post I'll focus on Human Trafficking survivors but this can be for any survivor.)
Many survivors are sick of not being paid. I see their posts and I hear their frustrations.
Trust me, I get it.
How do we stop this?
How do we get others to take us seriously?
First and foremost it starts with YOU.
If someone or any entity reaches out to you to share your story, and they have no funds to pay you or can't meet your price- you have to be okay with telling them no.
Do not waste your time getting upset or giving them a lecture on how you deserve to be paid. Just say no and move on.
Also- don't knock on other survivors who accept the gigs you said no to.
We need to empower each other NOT disapprove of each other.
Yes, you may be a survivor but speaking is a business. So treat it as such. You have to carry yourself in the same way you'd like to be treated.
With respect and grace.
(And no I'm not saying your not doing this. I'm just saying always carry yourself in this way when it comes to you and your speaking business.)
These networks talk about the good people just as much as they talk about the bad ones.
Another thing I'd like to share and some may come at me for it but at the end it's constructive NOT destructive.
Just because you have a story doesn't mean you're a great speaker.
Again, PUBLIC SPEAKING IS A BUSINESS.
Invest in yourself.
Dedicate time in becoming the best.
Don't compare yourself.
This is a unique niche and there's room for ALL of us.
Get a life coach.
Get a mentor.
Go on YouTube and watch free classes on how to be an even better speaker.
If you have the money, go to public speaking seminars.
Moxie Institute is where I went to learn from the best. My mentor introduced to this.
Appearance is everything. I mean this.
When I walk into a room people assume I'm a donor or CEO, never the speaker.
Learn business etiquette.
Know your audience- each speaking engagement that you do will be different.
Know who's hiring you.
It's nice to be paid, but if you accidentally associate yourself with something or someone that's crappy, it can bite you in the ass in the future.
There are plenty of people out there that will pay you for your time and speaking services.
I promise you that if you do these things, you will find them.
Survivors in the Field
Are you in the anti-trafficking field?
Do you employ survivors/lived experience experts?
Let's assume yes, because if the answer is no then… what are you even doing?
When you engage survivors to work with you, it's critical to remember that we aren't a box you check to get your funding. We are the lifeblood of this work. So let's make sure that all engagement with us is ethical!
1. Pay us. Real money. Not in exposure. Not in a free meal at your gala. A living wage.
2. Bring us in at the BEGINNING of the project. We have ideas and knowledge that you may not have and are happy to help you create the best version of whatever you are trying to do. We don't like being thrown completed projects and asked to do a 'once over' so you can label it 'survivor informed'.
3. Our story is our own. Some of us share, some don't. It's *never* okay to ask a survivor to share details of their exploitation for your benefit. Just don't.
This #humantraffickingawarenessmonth let's bring some awareness to how we treat the survivors IN the movement. We are a wealth of knowledge, empathy, care, compassion, and kindness and want to see you succeed! Let's work together so that can happen.
Do you employ survivors/lived experience experts?
Let's assume yes, because if the answer is no then… what are you even doing?
When you engage survivors to work with you, it's critical to remember that we aren't a box you check to get your funding. We are the lifeblood of this work. So let's make sure that all engagement with us is ethical!
1. Pay us. Real money. Not in exposure. Not in a free meal at your gala. A living wage.
2. Bring us in at the BEGINNING of the project. We have ideas and knowledge that you may not have and are happy to help you create the best version of whatever you are trying to do. We don't like being thrown completed projects and asked to do a 'once over' so you can label it 'survivor informed'.
3. Our story is our own. Some of us share, some don't. It's *never* okay to ask a survivor to share details of their exploitation for your benefit. Just don't.
This #humantraffickingawarenessmonth let's bring some awareness to how we treat the survivors IN the movement. We are a wealth of knowledge, empathy, care, compassion, and kindness and want to see you succeed! Let's work together so that can happen.
Friday, June 16, 2023
from Alcoholic to Author…
Rose Ann was a successful C-Suite executive and ministry leader in the church. She was a working mom of four and a social drinker. Over the years, life’s stresses and a difficult marriage created an environment where her alcohol usage increased significantly. After the collapse of her marriage, her drinking further escalated and she felt like a fraud with God and the Church. AA was not an option in her mind. She had already submitted to God and didn’t want to call herself an alcoholic. When COVID-19 hit, she enrolled in a coaching program to put alcohol to the side for three months. The rest has been an incredible journey of redemption and healing. This interview will impact your life in ways unimaginable. Come be inspired, LISTEN TODAY! https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/amandablackwood
Find this guest online:
www.theplanshehasforme.com
TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode I'm talking with a trauma survivor about their history and recovery. Suicide, child abuse, and PTSD are common themes.
Pairing of guest and podcast provided by #PodMatch. To book yourself as a guest through Podmatch sign up using this link: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/amanda
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Today I'd like to share a special message with you from author Jami Christine.Jami was kind enough to join me on my podcast. We recorded her episode back in September, and what a remarkable woman she is. Jami Christine was planning an at home birth for her first child. She had an overwhelming fear of hospitals, and a deep desire to give birth naturally. Unfortunately, life often pokes holes in the best made plans. Her son got stuck while Jami was in labor and she was sent to the hospital anyway. Jami found herself shutting down emotionally and mentally, and everything she did NOT want to happen, started to happen. She completely shut down emotionally and found herself completely disconnected during the c-section. Things only got worse from there for a while. "My experience with trauma happened in 2011, when my dreams for a
home birth with my first son got swept out from under me after my
midwife detected a problem with his heart rate. After experiencing every
intervention that I wanted to avoid, ending with an emergency c-section
and a five-day stay at the hospital, I emotionally and mentally shut
down and refused to believe what was happening to me. "I
was miserable, volatile, and borderline suicidal, and I realized I was
turning out to be a terrible mother to my son in this condition. I
joined a support group for cesarean moms, who then pointed me in the
direction of counseling, and I began my journey to recovery. It took
about two years to really overcome the brunt of it, but it required
ongoing work beyond that, as well. "I realize my
downfall was my lack of flexibility. I refused to accept that anything
other than a home birth was possible, and so when a trip to the hospital
happened, I didn't know how to cope. One of my greatest lessons in this
experience was the importance of accepting things as they happen. This
is my advice to new mothers, too -- there's no way to prepare for a
birth, so keep an open mind and be willing to go with the flow, and no
matter what, STAY PRESENT. When I emotionally and mentally shut down in
that hospital, my brain had a lot of work to do to recalibrate my
emotions with my physical experience, and I learned later that that's
what causes flashbacks: our brains keep trying to sync all that
information up, and it results in replaying the trauma over and over in
our minds. "I later had a stroke, and that trip
to the hospital was very different. Naturally I was scared, but I also
had a new awareness that everything happens for a reason, and everything
was going to work out the way it was meant to. I remained present in
the experience, and I never experienced a trauma response afterwards. I
also made a full recovery. This experience opened my eyes to the
importance of acceptance, of presence, and of trust. "These
experiences inspired my novel, The Transcendent, which is due to
release early next year. I also published a nonfiction, Transcend Your
Story: A Guide to Transforming Your Healing Journey into an
Inspirational Novel. My hope is that this book can help other aspiring
authors take their own traumatic experiences and transform them into a
story of healing and growth that can go on to inspire others on their
own journeys. You can learn more about my books and my offerings on my
website, www.JamiChristine.com." Follow Jami Christine online @authorjamichristine (FB & IG), @jamichristine11 (TikTok), | |||||
|
Do you have an amazing story? Get interviewed. Send an email to AuthorAmandaBlackwood@gmail.com or click on the calendar date that fits you best. https://calendly.com/detailedpieces/podcast-interview
Friday, November 11, 2022
Military Vet Dacia Arnold speaks up
Today’s guest is Dacia Arnold. Dacia is an army veteran who served in Baghdad ER For 15 months during the surge. She was published in the New York Times and Full Magazine Volume III. She’s written about her experiences and I’m honored to have her on the show! This episode is a one hour special dedicated to Veterans Day. To all those who have, who are, or who will serve in one of the branches of the US Military, THANK YOU for your service to your country. Your honorable sacrifice is greatly appreciated.
Listen to the episode:
https://anchor.fm/amandablackwood
Follow Dacia Arnold online
www.Facebook.com/daciamarnold
www.instagram.com/daciamarnold
www.tiktok.com/daciamarnold0
www.twitter.com/daciamarnold
www.DaciaMArnold.com
If you know someone who survived trauma and wrote their own story of survival, please have them reach out to the podcast with their contact information by emailing AuthorAmandaBlackwood@gmail.com .
You can also use this link to leave a message that you'd like to have aired on a future episode! https://anchor.fm/amandablackwood/message
As always you can support the podcast with PayPal or Venmo donations, or by purchasing one of my books!
PayPal authoramandablackwood@gmail.com
Venmo @DetailedPieces
Find my books HERE. https://www.amazon.com/Amanda-Blackwood/e/B078T1V8M7?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1659462720&sr=8-2
Sign up for the newsletter and receive a FREE copy of "Detailed Pieces of a Shattered Dream" today! https://dl.bookfunnel.com/oui64pgchc
Get access to previous seasons of the podcast with a subscription! Advertisement free episodes!
https://anchor.fm/amandablackwood/subscribe
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
-
This blog has been removed. If you're interested in reading the original first hand account of the kidnapping, please check out th...
-
I wanted to crawl back under the covers and hide. I wanted to cry myself to sleep, but sleep had already eluded me for the last 7 hours I&... -
On my way to work this morning I heard a song that reminded me of my childhood. The singer mentioned something about calloused hands and I ...