Survivors of human trafficking have many different needs that change over time. These needs can include mental health care, physical health support, legal help, and assistance meeting basic needs like housing and income. Survivors themselves consistently say that no single service is enough to help them fully heal and rebuild their lives [2].

Research shows that survivors benefit most from a holistic, integrated approach—one that addresses the emotional, relational, financial, and legal impacts of trafficking all at once [3]. Because there is no single treatment model designed specifically for trafficking survivors, experts agree that combining proven approaches and adapting them to each survivor’s needs is the most effective path forward.

Above all, survivors surveyed emphasize the importance of empowerment. Being able to make their own decisions, build on their strengths, and develop resilience is critical to safely exiting exploitation and creating long-term independence [2]. When survivors are supported as whole people—not just as victims—they are better equipped to reclaim their lives and futures.

Leaving “the life” is not a simple choice, but a complicated and often cyclical process. Survivors frequently face trauma bonds, coercion, financial instability, and safety risks that can make it incredibly difficult to leave—and stay out—without consistent, long-term support.

For survivors who have exited trafficking situations, one of the hardest parts of rebuilding their lives can be financial instability [2]. Without steady income, job skills, or access to education, it can be extremely difficult to meet basic needs like housing, food, and transportation. This lack of financial security often makes survivors vulnerable to further exploitation.

Research shows that economic empowerment—such as learning job skills, gaining work experience, and achieving financial independence—is essential for survivors to successfully rebuild their lives and reintegrate into their communities [4]. Survivors need more than safety; they need real pathways to independence.

Research agrees that comprehensive, wraparound support is most important. In addition to trauma-informed care, survivors benefit from services that address the whole person: education and job training, employment opportunities, life skills, safe housing, and supportive community connections [5]. When survivors are supported in multiple areas of their lives, they are better able to regain stability, confi dence, and long-term independence [3].

Trauma is an emotional response to deeply distressing experiences, and being trauma-informed means recognizing how those experiences shape a person’s life and behavior. Trauma-informed practice has shown to be effective with persons who have been trafficked because it recognizes the impact of violence and victimization on an individual’s development and their capacity to develop coping strategies [6]. The use of trauma informed care decreases vulnerability to retraumatization and promotes overall recovery. The key concepts of trauma-informed care are safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

Trauma-informed care allows staff at EOF to consider the impact of trauma on the client’s brain and consequential behaviors. Our trauma-informed approach looks like:

• Avoiding activities that can traumatize or imitate the behavior of a trafficker. Being aware of power dynamics in the relationship.
• Promoting participants’ rights to dignity, autonomy, and self-determination.
• Practicing cultural responsiveness by being considerate of cultural factors such as religious beliefs, attitudes towards sex, stigmas with mental health, gender roles, and social customs.
• Being aware that if an individual appears shut down or disconnected this may be a sign that the person is overwhelmed.
• Helping break down tasks concretely; assuming that even small tasks may feel overwhelming. Supporting the survivor in accessing help with task completion.
• Being aware of the often confusing nature of the individuals’ relationships with the perpetrators; being conscious of not making assumptions.
• Not taking strong reactions personally; being very aware of personal emotional response management.
• Providing opportunities for control and empowerment whenever possible.

[1] U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2025, May 22).
Human trafficking-quick facts. https://www.dhs.gov/human-trafficking-quick-facts

[2] Polaris Project. (2023, January).
In harm’s way: How systems fail human trafficking survivors: Survey results from the first national survivor study. https://polarisproject.org/wp-content/

[3] Kennedy, T. D., Plombon, B., Haskamp, C., Howard, B., Shoultz, C., Millen, D., Detullio, D., & Davidtz, J. (2025). Human traffi cking across the Americas: Survivors, services, and the law. Child Protection and Practice, 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chipro.2025.100211

[4] Islam, F., & Fay, S. (2024). Intersectional challenges in post-trafficking reintegration of survivor women of trafficking. The International Journal of Human Rights, 28(10), 1777–1807. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2024.2372398

[5] Edwards, K. M., Siller, L., Cerny, S., Klinger, J., Broin, M., Wheeler, L. A. & Baugh, L. (2023). Call to freedom: A promising approach to supporting recovery among survivors of sex trafficking. Journal of Human Trafficking, 9(2), 168-180. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322705.2021.1894410

[6] U.S. Department of State. (2019, February). Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach. https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/283795.pdf