GFEMS - Meaningful engagement of people with lived experience toolkit

I had a wonderful experience creating this undertaking. The purpose was to layout & design the Meaningful Engagement of People with Lived Experience toolkit for GFEMS & NSN and the Building a Survivor-Centric Anti-Trafficking Movement 2-pager for GFEMS.

The toolkit is a framework and assessment for measuring and increasing lived experience leadership across the spectrum of engagement. It highlights the importance of involving people with lived experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of strategies to address issues.

Here is an excerpt from the toolkit that stood out to me - “Meaningful engagement of people with lived experience in the anti-trafficking movement begins at the moment you realize someone might be experiencing human trafficking.1 Someone with lived experience doesn’t need to be at any particular stage in their healing to have wisdom and insight about their experiences that you may not have. Without inviting that person to take on any kind of formal leadership position, you can honor their wisdom and feedback by asking: What do you need right now? What would help you feel safer or supported? How can I support you in removing some of the barriers to safety or support? From that initial point of contact, anti-trafficking organizations can set the tone for respectful relationships with impacted people that foster their self-determination and security while recognizing that ultimately people with lived experience are the experts in their own experiences.”

I learnt so much from this project and am grateful to the GFEMS team for trusting me with their vision for this project. It was an incredible experience producing this!