Survivors or Subjects? Power, Policy, and Control in Human Trafficking Shelters

• In Event: Area XII. Diversity and Inclusion - Gender

Abstract

Human trafficking shelters are often positioned as essential sites for survivor recovery, yet their structure, affiliations, and regulations may inadvertently perpetuate harm. This study critically examines how the design and operation of human trafficking shelters—particularly their faith-based affiliations, rule enforcement, and geographical distribution—impact survivor well-being and access to resources. Using qualitative methods, this research analyzes the affiliations and stated missions of shelters, the language embedded in facility rules and guidelines, and the locations of shelters to assess whether they effectively serve survivors or create additional barriers to recovery. Findings suggest that restrictive shelter policies, faith-based conditions, and geographic placement may limit access to trauma-informed, survivor-centered care, leading to further disempowerment of trafficking survivors. By highlighting these structural limitations, this study underscores the need for policy and service-delivery reforms to ensure shelters function as spaces of genuine support rather than sites of continued control. The implications of these findings call for a reevaluation of shelter models, emphasizing survivor agency, accessibility, and non-coercive service provision.

Author

• Chelsey Stull, Old Dominion University