How Crossing Boundaries Hurts Trafficking Survivors

  1. Introduction: The Importance of Boundaries in Trauma Recovery
  • Introduce the concept of boundaries in trauma recovery, especially for trafficking survivors.
  • Define what it means to cross a boundary in this context.
  • Emphasize the lasting psychological and emotional impact of trafficking and how boundaries are a vital part of healing.
  1. Understanding Trauma and Boundaries
  • Explain the deep trauma caused by trafficking, such as physical, emotional, and psychological scars.
  • Highlight the concept of autonomy and personal agency, and how they are often stripped away from survivors.
  • Discuss how boundaries help survivors reclaim their sense of self and safety.
  • Research insight: Trauma-informed care and its emphasis on respecting boundaries.
  1. Consequences of Boundary Violations
  • Outline specific ways in which crossing boundaries, even unintentionally, can harm survivors:
    • Emotional Triggers: How violating boundaries can trigger traumatic memories.
    • Trust Issues: Survivors often have difficulty trusting others; boundary violations can reinforce this mistrust.
    • Re-traumatization: Boundary violations can create a cycle of re-traumatization, undoing the progress made in recovery.
  • Research insight: Studies on re-traumatization and its impact on recovery.
  1. Recognizing and Respecting Boundaries
  • Discuss how people working with trafficking survivors (recovery homes, volunteers, and donors) can recognize and respect boundaries.
    • Verbal Boundaries: Not pressuring survivors to share their stories or talk about trauma.
    • Physical Boundaries: Respecting personal space and physical contact.
    • Emotional Boundaries: Allowing survivors to control the pace of their healing.
  • Provide examples of healthy boundary-setting in recovery settings.
  • Research insight: Best practices in trauma-informed care.
  1. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
  • Identify well-meaning but harmful actions often taken by people working with survivors:
    • Over-involvement: Trying to “save” the survivor or becoming overly invested in their healing.
    • Asking intrusive questions: Prying into details of their trauma without permission.
    • Lack of sensitivity: Failing to recognize subtle cues that a boundary is being crossed.
  • Offer practical tips for volunteers, staff, and donors to avoid these pitfalls.
  1. The Role of Trauma-Informed Care in Preventing Boundary Crossings
  • Introduce the trauma-informed care approach and why it is essential when working with trafficking survivors.
    • Core principles: Safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
    • How this approach reduces the likelihood of boundary violations.
  • Research insight: The success of trauma-informed programs in survivor recovery.
  1. Empowering Survivors through Respectful Support
  • Emphasize the importance of allowing survivors to take control of their recovery process.
  • Highlight the role of empowering survivors by respecting their boundaries and autonomy.
  • Discuss the importance of creating an environment that fosters trust and safety.
  • Research insight: The psychological benefits of empowerment in trauma recovery.
  1. Call to Action: How to Get Involved Responsibly
  • Encourage readers to support trafficking survivors in respectful, boundary-conscious ways.
  • Provide guidance on how donors and volunteers can help without crossing boundaries.
  • Mention training opportunities and resources available for those working in recovery homes or engaging with survivors.

Conclusion: Healing Through Respecting Boundaries

  • Reiterate the crucial role of boundaries in the healing process.
  • Acknowledge that while crossing boundaries may often be unintentional, the consequences are significant and must be avoided.
  • End on a note of hope and empowerment, emphasizing that with the right support, trafficking survivors can heal and thrive.
  1. Trauma and Boundaries in Recovery
  • Source: Hopper, E. K., Bassuk, E. L., & Olivet, J. (2010). Shelter from the storm: Trauma-informed care in homelessness services settings.
    • Key Point: This article outlines how trauma-informed care can benefit trafficking survivors by emphasizing safety, trust, and empowerment. The importance of boundaries in healing from trauma is central to this approach.
    • Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3369348/
  • Source: Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror.
  1. The Impact of Boundary Violations on Survivors
  • Source: Courtois, C. A., & Ford, J. D. (2009). Treating complex traumatic stress disorders: An evidence-based guide.
  • Source: van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.
  1. Trauma-Informed Care and Best Practices
  • Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services.
    • Key Point: This resource outlines the principles of trauma-informed care, including the importance of recognizing boundaries and empowering survivors in their healing process.
    • Link: https://store.samhsa.gov/product/TIP-57-Trauma-Informed-Care-in-Behavioral-Health-Services/SMA14-4816
  • Source: National Human Trafficking Hotline. Best Practices for Trauma-Informed Support of Human Trafficking Survivors.
    • Key Point: This guide focuses specifically on trauma-informed approaches when working with trafficking survivors, which emphasizes respecting survivors’ boundaries and autonomy.
    • Link: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/resources/trauma-informed-support-human-trafficking-survivors
  1. Empowering Survivors and Avoiding Re-traumatization
  • Source: Dutton, M. A., Goodman, L. A., & Bennett, L. (2001). Court-involved battered women’s responses to violence: The role of psychological, physical, and sexual abuse.
    • Key Point: This study shows how a lack of control and boundary violations negatively impact survivors’ psychological well-being. This applies to survivors of trafficking as well and highlights the importance of survivor empowerment.
    • Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1077801201007001006

Written by Julie A. Shrader
Speaker and Consultant for Julie Shrader, LLC
Founder/CEO Innocence Freed