There are many myths and misconceptions about sex trafficking and prostitution. Furthermore, hardly anyone talks about what happens after “the life” – the painful, nitty-gritty business of rebuilding and healing. This limited podcast series, hosted by survivor leader Melanie Thompson, invites you inside raw and honest conversations between sex trade survivors as they explore topics critical to the survivor community in New York City and beyond. Fighting against a culture that persistently blames women for their own victimization, Melanie and her guests examine what it means to survive exploitation, from navigating systems and services to drawing professional and personal boundaries in advocacy work. Each episode of Exit Wound is designed to provide survivors with the tools to drive change in their own lives and communities.
About
About the Host
Melanie Thompson
Melanie Thompson is a survivor of sex trafficking and prostitution, and is separately a speaker, activist, and leader in the global fight to end prostitution and commercial sexual exploitation. Trafficked and sold into prostitution at the age of 12, she was later arrested and placed into foster care. She became an activist at age 14. With over 13 years of advocacy experience, she is both a national and international expert consultant and speaks avidly to the intersectionality of race, child welfare, juvenile justice, LGBTQ+ rights and other systems of oppression. As a subject matter expert, Melanie has extensive media experience has testified before numerous legislatures and entities, including the United Nations and various Parliaments, about the need to pass strong anti-trafficking laws and end the arrests of sex trafficked and prostituted people in the sex trade. She sits on several Survivor Advisory Boards working to implement inclusivity and create more effective strategies for survivors everywhere. By day, she serves as the Outreach & Advocacy Coordinator at the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women International.