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What do I do if some of the men trafficking me are in positions of power as in local and state police or county officials?
Answer by Dr. Laura
PhD Mental Health Nurse & Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
Thank you for reaching out to us and trusting us with this information. This is an incredibly dangerous and frightening situation, especially when those who should protect you are involved in exploitation. Your safety is the top priority.
Even when local law enforcement is involved, there are still ways to get help, although it makes sense to be cautious. Federal agencies and national organizations operate independently from local/state authorities and have specific protocols for handling cases involving corrupt officials.
Here are some immediate steps you can take:
- Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. They can connect you with trusted organizations and federal resources
- Call the FBI directly at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). The FBI handles cases involving corrupt public officials
- Document everything safely if possible - dates, names, locations, but only if you can do so without putting yourself at greater risk
If you're able to access help, be very clear that law enforcement is involved in the trafficking. This will ensure your case is handled at the federal level rather than locally. Trusted organizations know how to protect survivors when officials are involved.
Please know this is not your fault. You deserve to be safe and free. Help is available 24/7 through the hotline above. They have experience with cases like yours and can guide you toward safety while protecting you from corrupt local authorities. Thank you so much for reaching out to us.
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Grounding activity
Find a comfortable place to sit. Gently close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths - in through your nose (count to 3), out through your mouth (count of 3). Now open your eyes and look around you. Name the following out loud:
5 – things you can see (you can look within the room and out of the window)
4 – things you can feel (what is in front of you that you can touch?)
3 – things you can hear
2 – things you can smell
1 – thing you like about yourself.
Take a deep breath to end.
From where you are sitting, look around for things that have a texture or are nice or interesting to look at.
Hold an object in your hand and bring your full focus to it. Look at where shadows fall on parts of it or maybe where there are shapes that form within the object. Feel how heavy or light it is in your hand and what the surface texture feels like under your fingers (This can also be done with a pet if you have one).
Take a deep breath to end.
Cross your arms in front of you and draw them towards your chest. With your right hand, hold your left upper arm. With your left hand, hold your right upper arm. Squeeze gently, and pull your arms inwards. Hold the squeeze for a little while, finding the right amount of squeeze for you in this moment. Hold the tension and release. Then squeeze for a little while again and release. Stay like that for a moment.
Take a deep breath to end.
Put your right hand palm down on your left shoulder. Put your left hand palm down on your right shoulder. Choose a sentence that will strengthen you. For example: “I am powerful.” Say the sentence out loud first and pat your right hand on your left shoulder, then your left hand on your right shoulder.
Alternate the patting. Do ten pats altogether, five on each side, each time repeating your sentences aloud.
Take a deep breath to end.
Ask yourself the following questions and answer them out loud:
1. Where am I?
2. What day of the week is today?
3. What is today’s date?
4. What is the current month?
5. What is the current year?
6. How old am I?
7. What season is it?
Take a deep breath to end.