Survivors of exploitation and sex trafficking often carry deep trust injuries shaped by coercion, betrayal, and repeated violations of autonomy. Too often, after the trafficking ends, survivors encounter helping systems that unintentionally echo those same dynamics through pressure, credibility testing, and support that feels conditional. This presentation offers a practical, non-clinical, relationship-centered approach to trauma-informed support that is relevant for advocates, social workers, and academics. Using my three guiding pillars: Present, Engaged, and Committed, participants will explore what it looks like to build trust through steadiness, pacing, permission, and repair; how to offer compassionate support without crossing lines or creating unhealthy dependency; and how to recognize and interrupt ‘power-over’ patterns that can show up in policies and everyday practices. The session includes ready-to-use language and boundary scripts, and closes with a brief reflection prompt and time for participant questions as the format allows.
Desiree speaks from a survivor/mentor/peer-support lens and focuses on relationship, communication, boundaries, and agency-centered support.
Presenter: Desiree Lepsey
