MEMBERSHIP

Membership to the National Survivor Network (NSN) is open to any survivor of human trafficking, regardless of race, ethnicity, indigenous persons, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (transgender and cisgender women, non-binary and genderqueer people, and transgender and cisgender men) , religion, age, disability/injury, veteran status, political ideology, addiction history, sexually transmitted infections, genetic information, pregnancy/abortion, marital status, socioeconomic status, education, language, physical appearance, work in informal economies, conviction history, incarceration or any demographic legally protected from discrimination. We recognize the diversity of thought: ideas, perspectives, and values. We also recognize that individuals affiliate with multiple identities.

The NSN aligns itself with the “United States Federal Definition of Human Trafficking” as defined in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). 

According to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), a “severe form of trafficking in persons” is defined as follows:

  • the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act in which that act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion; or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or
  • the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

A “commercial sex act” is defined by the TVPA as “any sex act on account of which anything of value is given to or received by any person.” Since the TVPA is the federal legislation which determines allocation of services for victims, it is with this definition that the NSN aligns its membership. However, the members of the NSN recognize that this definition, like any legislation, can be and is open to interpretation. Further, the NSN respects that other networks may have differing opinions and interpretations of this same legislation.

Membership Application

Membership applications are not currently being accepted while we restructure and clarify our values. You can sign up to receive an email notification when membership applications re-open.

Get Notified!

Membership Application Process

  • Applicants must complete the NSN Membership Application.
  • The NSN Membership Chair or NSN Coordinator will reach out via email within one to two weeks to schedule a phone conversation with the prospective member. During the phone interview, the following topics will be discussed: the NSN mission, activities, current goals, and policies, as well as expectations, interests, concerns, and goals of the prospective member.
  • The NSN Membership Chair or NSN Coordinator will review the potential member’s application with the NSN Executive Committee. Approval for membership is contingent on approval by the NSN Executive Committee.
  • If the applicant is approved for membership, the new member will then be added to the NSN email listserv, NSN contact database, and the NSN private Facebook group if desired.

Membership Activities Can Include:

  • The Hub – The NSN’s monthly e-newsletter, with resources, opportunities, and news
  • NSN conference call (Topics include workgroup updates, potential opportunities, etc.)
  • Wellness call
  • Policy call with US Representatives to advocate current NSN policy priorities
  • Peer-to- Peer Mentoring Program
  • Consultant/Speakers Bureau Network
  • Professional Development Trainings
  • Opportunities with NSN Workgroups

Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program

The National Survivor Network’s (NSN) Peer-to- Peer Mentoring Program matches new NSN members with peer mentors/survivor leaders to provide support for new members in further developing leadership skills.

Peer Mentors are experienced NSN members that apply to become mentors to newere NSN members. Peer Mentors go through an application process where after submitting an application form, they are screened and interviewed. Peer Mentors exhibit a commitment to their own leadership success and are knowledgeable about resources.