MODERN DAY SLAVERY: The Tragedy of Human Trafficking

This episode of MI Healthy Mind takes on a very difficult, misunderstood issue: Human Sex Trafficking. Difficult, because it's almost inconceivable how widespread and mainstream this problem is, how little sympathy it receives. By definition, human trafficking isolates and exploits people, making them invisible to the world. Sex trafficking involves use of force, fraud, or coercion leading to a sex act.
We speak with Joyce Dixson-Haskett, a human trafficking survivor. She shares her story of being molested at the age of seven by a family friend and the years of depression and of feelings of worthlessness. Traffickers are master manipulators. They identify and target the vulnerable. Ms Haskett was an at-risk teen who fell prey to an older man who showered her with expensive gifts, promises of money, love and security.
Victims may be so fearful and traumatized that they won’t reveal themselves or run for help. Often, they may even help lure others to their abusers. As a result, very little is known about the prevalence of human trafficking.
We share Ms
Haskett’s journey from victim to murder, to prison and then to the capitol building. How she conquered her past and triumphed. She is now a Counselor, Clinical Social Worker, licensed at the Master’s level in individual and group counseling.
Our ultimate goal is to generate awareness of the heinous human trafficking industry; to identify it, prevent it, to see the end of human trafficking; examine and discuss issues of commercial sexual exploitation, sexual violence and other forms of violence against women; provide resources to women living with or escaping domestic violence. By reaching out through MI Healthy Mind Show, we empower women and girls to lead independent and productive lives, free from abuse.