The Dark Reality: Sex Trafficking in Your Communities

07/26/24 • 58 min

In this episode of Through the Trauma Podcast, host Amber interviews Jennisue Jessen, a survivor of human trafficking and the founder and CEO of Compass 31. Jenny Sue shares her remarkable journey from being sold into the sex trade at age four to becoming a key figure in shaping federal countering policies. The conversation explores the prevalence of human trafficking, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the importance of raising awareness. Jennisue also opens up about her own experiences of exploitation and the healing journey that followed. In this conversation, JenniSue Jessen and Amber discuss the topics of evil, darkness, trauma, and the connection between pornography and sex trafficking. They emphasize the importance of healing, raising awareness, and taking action to disrupt the cycle of exploitation. JenniSue shares her personal experiences and highlights the need for compassion, healthy relationships, and community support in combating human trafficking. They also discuss the power of shifting focus from fighting against darkness to fighting for a more just world.

Takeaways

Human trafficking is a prevalent issue that occurs in every state and city, often going unnoticed due to our busy lives and lack of awareness.
Trafficking does not always fit the Hollywood stereotype of kidnapping; it often involves exploitation by someone the victim knows, such as a family member or romantic partner.
The journey of healing from trauma is unique for each survivor, and it often involves wrestling with questions of faith and finding a sense of purpose.
Raising awareness and having difficult conversations about human trafficking is crucial in combating this issue and supporting survivors. Trauma doesn't define us, but it equips us to create a more just world.
Healing is not only possible, but with the right support, it's entirely probable.
The fight against human trafficking requires individuals to come together and take a stand.
Trafficking doesn't happen in a vacuum; it's a relational crime that requires relational healing.
Shifting focus from fighting against darkness to fighting for a more just world changes the perspective and experience of the fight.

Sound Bites

"Healing happens where we can have hard conversations."
"What I do is crushingly beautiful."
"Human trafficking doesn't always look like we think it does."
"Darkness is just the absence of the light, right?"
"I don't believe that we are defined by trauma. I believe that we are equipped by it."
"The solution may seem ridiculous, but I'm going to say it because you asked me. My opinion is that we slow down to the speed of love."

To learn more about Jenniesue and Compass 31

https://compass31.org/

https://www.instagram.com/compass_31/

To Learn More about Amber Larkins

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