What if the person sitting next to you is experiencing abuse, trafficking, or violence, but doesn’t even recognize it themselves? In this episode of the Everyday Advocate Podcast, Jessica Evans sits down with Shonda Davis, Program Manager for Prescription for Hope at Eskenazi Health, and Drenda Bell, Program Manager for the Center of Hope and a forensic nurse at Eskenazi Health, for an important conversation about recognizing vulnerability, responding to abuse, and becoming an everyday advocate. You'll hear about warning signs including isolation, financial insecurity, homelessness, trauma, substance use, communication barriers, and changes in someone's behavior. Most importantly, this conversation offers practical ways to respond when something doesn't feel right. Because sometimes being the person who notices, asks, listens, and keeps showing up can be the first step toward someone getting help. Advocacy doesn't always require a professional title. It can look like volunteering, donating needed supplies, learning the red flags, supporting local organizations, or simply refusing to look the other way. What You Will Learn: How domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking can happen in any community. Why perpetrators are often people known and trusted by the victim. How human trafficking can involve labor or financial exploitation, not only sex trafficking. Why youth need prevention education beginning as early as middle school. How isolation, homelessness, financial insecurity, trauma, substance use, and communication barriers can increase vulnerability. How phones, apps, and games can create additional opportunities for exploitation and unhealthy relationships. Why healthcare providers have an important role in recognizing abuse and trafficking. How asking questions privately can help someone feel safe enough to disclose what is happening. How to approach someone you are concerned about without being accusatory or judgmental. Why building trust may take multiple conversations and repeated offers of support. What to do when an adult is not ready to leave an abusive situation. Why victim blaming and asking "Why don't they just leave?" can be harmful. How community members can become advocates through volunteering, donations, education, and simply paying attention. Why small acts of kindness and advocacy can make a meaningful difference. FAQ: What are some warning signs of human trafficking or abuse? Warning signs can include social isolation, sudden changes in behavior, homelessness, financial insecurity, substance use, trauma, communication barriers, and someone else controlling a person's money, documents, movements, or communication. A person may also become more withdrawn or stop spending time with family and friends. Can human trafficking happen without a pimp? Yes. Human trafficking does not always look like the stereotype of a victim being controlled by a traditional "pimp." Exploitation can involve a friend, acquaintance, romantic partner, employer, or another person who uses financial pressure, housing, debt, or other forms of control to exploit someone. Does human trafficking only involve sex trafficking? No, human trafficking can include sex trafficking and labor or job trafficking. Exploitation can take many forms, including situations where someone is pressured to work to repay an alleged debt or obligation. Eskenazi Health: https://www.eskenazihealth.edu/ Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: https://www.allies-inc.org/becoming-a-mentor/ LOVE. RESPECT. COMMUNITY
