Videos

So much of the conversation around trafficking and sexual exploitation involves women - women make up the majority of the victims and they also make up the majority of advocates and gender-based violence experts. Men, though they play a central role in these systems of exploitation, often don't seem interested…

It’s the last episode of Exit Wound! And what better way to close out the season than to reflect on our then and our now? Melanie and survivor leaders Gabrielle Prieto, Shamere McKenzie, and Sunny Palmer sit down to reflect on their younger selves in “the life” - what they…

Community outreach, grassroots organizing, starting your own nonprofit, legislative advocacy - these are all sectors where many survivors thrive after their traumatic experiences. But activism involves more than just being able to relate to a problem- it takes practice, research, dedication, and thick skin. In the penultimate episode of Exit…

One of the things all sex trade survivors have in common is the need for exit services and aftercare. It’s also one of the things lacking in the great big city of New York. All survivors all need the same foundational trio - housing, money, and medical care. Melanie, survivor…

Surviving sexual exploitation is a skill in and of itself, but turning that pain into a public speaking career that could include lobbying, legislative advocacy, panel discussions, training and workshops, council meetings – without having an emotional breakdown – is an art. Anyone can share their personal story, but sharing…

In this episode, Melanie and her guests, survivor leaders Abigail Ndao and Gina Cavallo, discuss a huge part of survivorhood: when and how to tell your story. You’ve found your voice, but what comes next? Now that you've told one person your story, everyone wants to ask you about it.…

For survivors of sex trafficking and prostitution, the workplace can be a minefield of complicated emotions and interactions: You’ve got a job you worked so hard to get, but it’s not what you thought it would be. You feel like you don’t fit in. Your coworkers don’t understand what you’re…

Many - if not all - sex trade survivors struggle with money insecurity at some point after exiting “the life.” It is extremely difficult for survivors to find their financial footing once they transition to being on their own, trying to live “square.” In this episode, Melanie and survivor leader…

Survivors of sex trafficking and prostitution often struggle with their transition to an “average” lifestyle after leaving “the life”. They may miss their trafficker or miss their old friends. They may struggle to trust people or build healthy new relationships – and they often relapse back into the sex trade.…

Not all sex trade survivors exit “the life” with a clean slate. Unfortunately, many survivors get caught up with the (in)justice system, often because of something their trafficker made them do. So what happens then? Is there a way to fight the system and defend yourself? How can you get…

This episode touches on all things relating to when an individual first exits the sex trade. Melanie and two survivor leaders (Doraina Rochford and Laura Mullen) get into the details, asking each other, Remember when you first left “the life”? Can you remember how you felt? The first person you…

In this episode, Melanie and her guests, Shandra Woworuntu and Laura Mullen, expand on what they’re seeing on the streets of New York City. They talk about the consequences of NYC’s current de facto decriminalization policy, the increase in street prostitution in East New York, the brothels in Jackson Heights,…

This introductory episode lays the foundation of the entire podcast. Melanie and her guest Katrina Massey discuss all the myths and misconceptions our culture spews out about prostitution, trafficking and trafficking survivors: everything from Sound of Freedom, Taken, and Pretty Woman to the Wayfair, napkin, and zip tie conspiracy theories…

The teaser episode for our upcoming podcast series, Exit Wound! Why this podcast? Why now? Take a listen.