Survivors seek greater role in anti-trafficking fight

Survivors of human trafficking have called for greater inclusion in anti-trafficking policies, stating their lived experiences can strengthen prevention, protection and accountability. The Voices Unchained – Trafficking Survivors Initiative, a survivor-led organization, was established by three young Nigerian men who were recent survivors of trafficking for forced criminality.

Anthony Ogbonna Joseph, Morgan Chikadibia Jaja and Alex Oluwayomi Onyeji emphasized that their trafficking experience was not pleasant, as traffickers carefully manipulated them into becoming victims and survivors. They urged Nigerians, particularly young people, against deceptive overseas employment offers, warning that seemingly legitimate job opportunities are often used to lure victims into forced criminality and exploitation.

Joseph, the Head of Administration of the initiative, advised survivors to move beyond being beneficiaries of interventions to becoming contributors to the fight against trafficking. He highlighted that survivors possess unique insights into recruitment tactics, vulnerabilities exploited by traffickers, and navigating systems after exploitation.

The initiative focuses on prevention, protection, prosecution, partnership and policy, with the goal of translating survivor experiences into measurable outcomes.