TRANSFORMING VICTIMS TO SURVIVORS AND SURVIVORS INTO EMPOWERED ENTREPRENEURS
While many discussions around human trafficking emphasize statistics, at ATB, we are committed to highlighting the real experiences of victims and survivors. For us, they are not just numbers but individuals with stories, struggles, and hopes—people deserving of dignity and compassion as they navigate their journey toward healing and freedom.
Human trafficking, whether for sex, labor, or forced marriage, leaves a devastating trail of physical and psychological damage. The physical toll is often the most visible, but the hidden mental and emotional scars are equally, if not more, profound.
A study conducted by Loyola University revealed alarming statistics about the health consequences trafficking survivors face. According to the study, 99% of survivors suffered from at least one major physical health problem due to the trauma and abuse they endured during their exploitation. This could range from untreated injuries, malnutrition, sexually transmitted infections, and other long-term health issues.
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Mental Health Consequences of Trafficking
The psychological toll of human trafficking is immeasurable. Survivors often carry lifelong emotional wounds, with 98% of survivors exhibiting symptoms of at least one mental health disorder, as found in the Loyola University study. The exploitation, isolation, and abuse they experience during trafficking lead to numerous mental health issues, including but not limited to:
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety plague survivors, making it difficult for them to reintegrate into society.
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Addiction: Traffickers frequently force victims into substance abuse, either as a method of control or due to the survivor's attempt to self-medicate and cope with trauma.
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Depression: Survivors may feel hopeless and overwhelmed by feelings of worthlessness, making it difficult to engage in life after trafficking.
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Anxiety: Constant fear and hypervigilance can persist, even in safe environments, as survivors struggle with deep-rooted trust issues and fear of re-exploitation.
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Eating Disorders: Malnutrition, control over food, and abuse related to body image can lead to severe eating disorders in survivors, lasting long after they are free.
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Memory Problems and Dissociation: Survivors may experience difficulties with memory, either due to trauma or as a coping mechanism, where they dissociate to escape their overwhelming realities.
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Suicidal Ideation and Attempts: The trauma, shame, and isolation many survivors endure can lead them to feel that life is no longer worth living, leading to thoughts or attempts of suicide.
Victim Services: A Path to Recovery and Empowerment
Healing from trafficking is a long and complex journey. The physical scars may fade, but the mental health consequences often persist, requiring comprehensive care, support, and understanding. Without intervention, survivors may continue to suffer, and their reintegration into society may be hindered by the invisible chains that still bind them. At the heart of our mission is the commitment to helping survivors of human trafficking rebuild their lives and regain their sense of self-worth. Through a comprehensive range of services, we aim to provide the psychological, educational, and economic support needed to heal from the trauma of trafficking and move toward a brighter future.
Mental and Emotional Recovery
Now you know that survivors often carry deep psychological scars from their experiences, affecting their ability to make decisions and regain control over their lives. Our services focus on helping survivors recover from these adverse mental effects, empowering them to make assertive, confident choices that keep them moving forward on their path to healing.
Education: A Gateway to New Opportunities
Education is key to transforming a survivor’s life. Depending on their age, skills, and personal aspirations, we help survivors secure the education they need to pursue careers in their preferred professions. By enabling access to educational resources, we equip them with the tools to unlock their potential and shape their own futures.
Two brave sisters, both survivors of underage sex trafficking, defied the odds and achieved a remarkable milestone—they graduated from high school. Thanks to the support and generosity of our partners, who helped them through their education journey, the sisters could pursue their dreams, turning a page on their painful past. Their graduation not only signifies a personal triumph but also serves as a compelling testament to resilience, optimism, and the transformative impact of kindness.
Vocational Training & Employment: The Foundation of Economic Independence
Economic stability is critical to a survivor’s reintegration into society. Through tailored job skills training and employment opportunities, we help survivors build financial independence. By providing career paths suited to their abilities, they can earn their own income, making lasting independence a reality.
Supporting Entrepreneurship: Empowering Self-Sufficiency
For survivors with entrepreneurial aspirations, we offer support in developing small business ventures. From market analysis to crafting a business plan, we guide survivors in building sustainable businesses that not only provide financial security but also foster self-confidence and long-term empowerment.
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From Trafficking Survivors to Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Thanks to the generous support of donors like you, a group of brave teens who were once victims of human trafficking are now rebuilding their lives with hope and purpose. After completing vocational training in nail care and beauty, these young survivors are on their way to becoming entrepreneurs. With ATB's victim services guidance, they are learning how to open their nail salons, turning their past struggles into a future of financial independence and success. This initiative is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit and the impact of compassionate support.
Reunification & Reintegration: The Final Steps to Healing
Reuniting survivors with their families and society is a complex yet vital part of recovery. This process involves reconnecting survivors with their communities in a way that promotes dignity and long-term acceptance. We don’t simply provide services; we walk with survivors every step of the way, monitoring their reintegration progress and ensuring they are fully prepared to lead independent, fulfilling lives.
Exit Strategies: A Future Full of Hope
Our ultimate goal is to see every survivor fully reintegrated into society, living a life free from exploitation and filled with purpose. From economic empowerment to emotional healing, we ensure that survivors are equipped with the skills and support they need to thrive.
Your Impact: Be the Change
Every dollar contributed to our survivor support team goes directly toward providing essential resources whether it’s educational support, or vocational training, transportation, including Uber rides and flights, as well as meals and hotel stays. By donating, you are directly helping survivors escape the cycle of exploitation and build a future full of hope, independence, and dignity. Together, we can make a lasting difference. Your support changes lives.
Survivor Stories Coming Soon
Thank you for your patience as we work to update our Victim Testimonial section. We are dedicated to sharing the powerful stories of survivors, and this section will be available soon. Please check back for these important updates.
My name is Juliana, I am 21 years old, and I was a victim of human trafficking for two years,
It was a dark chapter I never imagined living through. Thanks to the unconditional and professional support of the NGO ATB, not only was I rescued by them, but I also received the emotional and financial help needed to rebuild my life. I am eternally grateful for having my freedom restored and for being given a new opportunity. Thanks to them, I now have my own small sublimation business, and I can live a dignified life without having to return to that horrible world.
I am Luz Andreina, I am 29 years old, and I am Colombian. I am a law student.I was a victim of human trafficking, and I want to share my story with you.
Everything began as follows: In my country, I had a shoe store, and things were going very well. I even had several franchises and three employees. I partnered with a friend, who was an accountant and managed the business's finances. Everything was going smoothly until she got involved in politics. She began manipulating the accounts behind my back (stealing). At one point, I was sick for a month, and she was left in charge. When I returned, I noticed several collectors coming to collect debts I had no knowledge of. As days went by, I discovered that she had taken out loans in the company’s name and was investing the money in politics. Everything started falling apart, and we went into debt until we reached bankruptcy. I took out loans to pay the store’s rent and tried to revive the business, but the debts overwhelmed me, and everything came crashing down. That's when, while talking with a friend on Instagram, she told me she could help me find a job, but I would have to travel outside the country. She said the job involved being a waitress and organizing events. I had so many needs and debts that I accepted. She helped me buy the flight, and then she gave my phone number to someone who met me in the Dominican Republic. He took me to a hotel, where they locked me up and took my documents until I paid off the debt. I was very scared and confused. I was terrified because I had come to work to pay off my debts and provide for my child, as I’m a single mother and my child depends solely on me. I arrived in the Dominican Republic on April 20th. When I got there, they explained what I had to do, and they forced me to have sex. It was terrifying and horrible—I had never experienced a nightmare like that. I was so scared of dying, of never seeing my son again, and as a result, I had severe bleeding. The next day, I helped my roommate escape, and she filed a report. The following day, the authorities raided the place. From there, I was taken to a shelter where I stayed for a few days until the NGO ATB bought me a flight ticket to return home. Since that day, I have been afraid, and I can't stop thinking about the horrible things that happened to me. But I also feel grateful to God that I was able to escape that horrible place and that He placed the NGO ATB in my path. They provided me with psychological support, and thanks to them, I have been able to return to my university studies. They have supported me in all my needs; they are my angels. And thanks to the psychological help, I have been able to confront my fears and move forward.
Hello! My name is Luisa, and I am 24 years old. I want to share my experience with you.
It all started through a friend from the same neighborhood. I had known her for four years, and we used to hang out. I had her added on Facebook and Instagram. At that time, I was working as a model for Wescars (text chat). She messaged me and told me that she was in the Dominican Republic and suggested I come to work there, saying there were better job opportunities and that things would go well for me. She offered to lend me $2,500 USD, which would cover a month’s rent, groceries, and the flight. I agreed because I was looking for a better job opportunity, as the economic situation in my country was very difficult. When I arrived in the Dominican Republic, a woman and her husband, whom she had sent, picked me up. They put me up in a hotel for that night. The next day, they moved me to a house where I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere on my own. I could only go out if she accompanied me. Then she told me that I had to take some lingerie photos to upload to a website, explaining that there were promoters to whom I had to pay $500 every Monday, and that I had a debt of $3,500 USD. She also told me that I only had 15 days left to pay for the apartment where I was living, and that I had to cover my own expenses, like food and rent. At that point, she started giving me "services" and sending me to places of prostitution. I couldn't escape, as there were always armed people accompanying me, and if I didn’t do what they told me, they would threaten me. She knew where my mother lived, since we were from the same neighborhood. Those moments were very difficult, but thank God I was rescued. After what happened, I was able to return to my country thanks to the NGO ATB, which bought me a return ticket. Since that day, they have supported me unconditionally. They have helped me with studying by providing courses and, most importantly, with my brother’s health after he had an accident. Thanks to their financial support, we were able to buy his medications. They also helped me start my own business so I could move forward.
Beyond the Numbers: Real Lives, Real Survivors, in their own words.
My name is Leidy Bueno, I am ...years old, and I was a victim of human trafficking,
It was a dark chapter I never imagined living through. Thanks to the unconditional and professional support of the NGO ATB, not only was I rescued by them, but I also received the emotional and financial help needed to rebuild my life. I am eternally grateful for having my freedom restored and for being given a new opportunity. Thanks to them, I now have my own small sublimation business, and I can live a dignified life without having to return to that horrible world.
My name is Gabriela and I am 29 years old from Colombia. This is my story.
"I was a victim of the Catleya case. I arrived in the Dominican Republic approximately four months ago. They approached me, proposing that I work as a prostitute. I agreed, but not under the conditions they imposed on me."
Hello! My name is Keren, and I am 17 years old. I want to share my story with you.
My mother abandoned me and my two sisters, and since then, I’ve had to take care of both of them, as I am the oldest of the three. I’m going through a tough situation because I only live with my father, and he is the only one providing for our household. What he earns isn’t enough to cover our needs, as he works informally, just managing to provide food for us.
