Our Survivor Leadership Council (SLC), a client advisory board comprised of survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence, recently completed qualitative data analysis as part of co-leading a photovoice study to explore the meaning of survivor leadership. Photovoice is a community-based participatory research method in which participants use photography to define their experiences on their own terms. In our photovoice research, survivors take leadership roles where they collect the data, analyze it themselves, and share the findings with the community. Over the past two months, our photovoice project has involved the following steps:
- Picture Taking: Survivors joined a photography lesson, took photographs, and wrote narratives about their experiences.
- Peer Sharing: During group discussion, participants shared their photos and experiences with their peers and were invited to join a leadership team.
- Data Analysis: The survivor leadership team received training in qualitative data analysis. They analyzed transcripts from the group discussion and identified themes in collaboration with other Eleison staff.
- Peer Feedback: The leadership team conducted a member check with their peers to present preliminary themes and finalize the themes in collaboration with their peers.
The SLC’s commitment to co-leadership ensures that the study is rooted in the lived experiences of survivors. The findings not only illuminate the diverse ways survivor leadership manifests but also highlight the challenges and opportunities that survivor leaders encounter. As the SLC continues to reflect on the outcomes of the data analysis, the next steps involve translating these insights into actionable strategies and amplifying their voices in shaping programs and interventions aimed at supporting survivor leaders. Based on the results of this study, the SLC will collaborate with other members of the Eleison team to develop a survivor-defined framework for survivor leadership. This framework can serve as a guide for the anti-trafficking sector globally, deepening our collective understanding of what survivor leadership means in diverse contexts and fostering a more comprehensive and survivor-centered approach to combatting trafficking.
Our photovoice research has shown that survivors often carry internalized stigma and shame. However, taking control of their own stories and sharing their thoughts with others in safe spaces can help to alleviate these feelings. We invite you to partner with us in organizing a community event to share our findings with the wider community. This event will serve as a platform where the SLC can present study findings and create a meaningful dialogue to drive social change. By empowering the SLC to shape the narratives of their experiences, the event cultivates a sense of autonomy and control, allowing them to curate their stories in a manner that resonates with their lived experiences. Your contribution, regardless of its size, will provide the necessary resources to support the SLC who are driving this project forward. Donate here to help us make this happen.
