I’ve never met a survivor of human trafficking in person before. I’ve read news articles that survivors have given quotes to, scholarly articles and research on human trafficking as a whole, and heard stories about men and women who were victimized by traffickers second-hand while in class. Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center’s Imagine Freedom 2026 allowed me to meet and hear from survivors of human trafficking, and really humanized them for me by putting faces and voices to previous words I’ve read on a page. I’ve been going to STAC’s events for two years now, and being across the table and hearing from survivors of human trafficking was the most moving experience for me so far.
Personal stories from the survivors didn’t need to be shared; they were shared voluntarily. This was incredibly brave to put their whole self out there, to not only us sitting in the room with them, but to the large audience who viewed through Zoom. They don’t define themselves by their past experiences. They truly took over their narrative and became advocates for past, current, and future survivors.
I was so moved by all of the panelists who spoke for Imagine Freedom. The first panel discussed labor trafficking, and the second focused on commercial sexual exploitation. I learned about the stereotypes and misconceptions that are tied to human trafficking, how local law enforcement and CPS are involved, forced criminality by the traffickers, expungements of convictions for survivors of human trafficking, and so much more. Not only did my knowledge of human trafficking grow after Imagine Freedom, but my hopes of Florida overcoming the problem of human trafficking grew as well. Being around so many people passionate for ending human trafficking in Florida and protecting survivors of human trafficking was comforting and fired my want to advocate with them.
After the panels, STAC held a beautiful reception to honor and award those who dedicate much of their life to human trafficking advocacy. The awards were paintings of Ensos, depicting a circle drawn in a single brushstroke to symbolize strength and enlightenment. This was fitting, since STAC empowers survivors to be strong and advocates alongside them to advocate for themselves and others for a better future. Heartfelt speeches, a silent online auction with donated items to raise funds for STAC, and conversing with new and old friends led to a lovely evening, all in support of men and women survivors of human trafficking.
Jillian Melinek
About Me
I’m Jillian Melinek, and I’m a third-year law student at Florida State College of Law. My participation in the Children’s Advocacy Clinic at the Public Interest Law Center at FSU Law is what got me involved in human trafficking awareness and advocacy. After law school, I plan on being an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County.
