A new report led almost entirely by modern slavery survivors is challenging governments to rethink how they approach recovery and prevention. The report, Learning from Experience, reflects the lived realities of 18 survivors of forced labor, human trafficking, and other forms of modern slavery in Australia. Their message is clear: systems designed to help survivors are falling short, and meaningful change will only happen when survivors help shape the solutions.

Produced by Survivor Connections, Project Respect, and Fair Futures, the report centers economic empowerment as the foundation for long-term recovery. Survivors say escaping exploitation is only the first step. Without stable income, housing, and support, many remain at risk of being exploited again.

The risk of re-traumatization
Survivors emphasize that economic insecurity leaves people vulnerable to re-exploitation. For them, economic empowerment means more than finding a job. It means having control over their lives after years of coercion. CHOICE highlights what one survivor said:

Economic empowerment to me means that no one has power over you because of poverty or disadvantage. It means that you can thrive instead of fighting just to survive.

Survivors point to the need for stable housing, trauma-informed workplaces, access to education, financial guidance, and peer support. When even one of these elements is missing, survivors say exploitative employers are ready to step in and take advantage.

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