Human Trafficking: A Survivor’s Perspective
What is the survivor’s perspective on the experience with interacting with healthcare professionals, professionals working with children, law-enforcement officers and legal professionals over the course of the human trafficking ordeal? How can we make improvement in the future in regards to the way that healthcare professionals, professionals working with children, law-enforcement officers and legal professionals interact with human trafficking survivors, so they may spot the signs of human trafficking early on and safely extract the victim from the harmful environment? How can we advocate from the point of view of a survivor?
Speaker
Simone Bell
Simone Bell is a survivor, speaker, peer support manager and social justice advocate. Simone was coerced into the sex trade by a young man and well known criminal at the age of 21. Fear for the safety of those she loved and a crippling addiction kept her enslaved for a period of four years. Simone suffered in silence for 1.5 years until a friend and social worker helped her understand her exploitation. One conversation changed her life, and Simone found her voice. Since that life changing moment Simone has trained Police, Social Services and Health Care providers on the many aspects of Human Trafficking. Simone received a diploma in Addictions and community services and is a key member of Roos-Remillard Consulting Services - Ilinniapaa campus and Timea’s Cause. In October 2015 Simone co-founded The Hope Found Project at Voice Found. The Hope Found Project which is the first of its kind in Eastern Ontario is a survivor led program that assists victims of sexual exploitation. Simone assists survivors daily to help them find their voice and own individual path to healing.