Survivors of Human Trafficking
I began this project when I was introduced to mutual support groups and networks for survivors of sex trafficking on the East Coast of the United States in 2016. Many cases of sex trafficking begin with the coercion of the victim by a family member, sugar daddy, or boyfriend who later becomes abusive and controlling and forces them into prostitution. Individuals who live in shelters, foster care homes, or are runaways are particularly vulnerable. Domestic violence and unstable and difficult home lives are also common among victims of sex trafficking. Often survivors have a history with domestic violence or sexual assault that began years before they were trafficked. The social services safety net of the United States has failed to act upon the causes that force individuals into sex trafficking.
These victims face monumental odds in escaping their trafficker. Many of the women pictured here were arrested for soliciting sex, which lead to their identification by the police as victims of trafficking. Many victims are on probation and have prior arrests. The challenges they face from the trauma are numerous; these include dependency issues, mental health issues, and financial issues. Part of recovery and rehabilitation for survivors of sex trafficking is engaging in the real world. Some of the women I photographed for this project are now pursuing graduate degrees and professional careers, while others are advocates in church groups and survivor networks. Jasmine Marino, one the survivors pictured here, is the author of the book The Diary of Jasmine Grace, which she wrote during the six-year period she was trafficked. In 2019, Mimi Chakarova released the short documentary The Light, documenting Jasmine’s personal journey and mission to protect other vulnerable women from trafficking, prostitution, addiction, and homelessness through her organization Bags of Hope Ministries in Massachusetts.
The photographs I took of Jasmine during the filming of The Light are on view on the film’s website: https://www.stillirisefilms.org/the-light
