Ntl Trafficking Hotline was safe space for ‘girls like me.’ New law could change that. | Opinion

When I was a victim of sex trafficking, I was solicited by a police officer who offered to not arrest me in exchange for sexual favors. I was ridiculed by law enforcement and ignored when I informed them of a violent serial rapist in the area. Never once, in any of my interactions with law enforcement, was I offered resources or told how I could be protected if I managed to leave.

These interactions reinforced my belief — and my traffickers’ warning — that police didn’t care about “girls like me”. During this period of my life, I would never have called a hotline for help if I thought law enforcement could be involved. I know from walking with countless other survivors of trafficking that this is true for most of us.

I share these experiences to illustrate why legislation before the U.S. Congress to dramatically change the way the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline operates will ultimately hurt the very people its authors and supporters, who include Attorney General Daniel Cameron, are trying to help.

The bill in question would require the Trafficking Hotline to share any and all information with law enforcement if they ask. On its face, this may sound reasonable and even smart, but there is more to consider.

Since its inception, the Trafficking Hotline has provided a safe and confidential space for victims of trafficking to seek assistance in exiting their situations. This can include assistance from law enforcement, but does not have to. As long as the person seeking help is an adult, the decision about involving law enforcement is up to them.

My stance is not that law enforcement should not be involved at all. There are many individuals working tirelessly in law enforcement and their efforts are a key element in the fight against human trafficking. But the timing of their involvement must be right for the survivor.

When a survivor is first coming out of their trafficking, what they need first is advocacy. They need time to get somewhere safe, find safe people and start tip-toeing out of fight-or-flight survival mode. Only then can they start making decisions about a path forward and collaborating — or not — with law enforcement.

Those decisions must belong to survivors, who have had all their autonomy taken away from them already by their traffickers. Survivors deserve the power of choice in their own healing.

Some may ultimately choose not to work with law enforcement. Survivors may not want to revisit their trauma by pressing charges. They may still be scared of their trafficker. They may simply want privacy — just as survivors of any trauma have the right to choose.

It’s possible to hold traffickers accountable without re-traumatizing survivors using a survivor-centered approach (or “victim-centered”). This is when advocates, detectives and prosecutors work together keeping the survivor at the center. First though, they need the National Human Trafficking Hotline to remain a safe, confidential place to reach out to for help.

Holly is a survivor leader, consultant and advocate who currently resides in Louisville, with her husband and three children.