Full membership to the National Survivor Network (NSN) is open to any US-based survivor of human trafficking, regardless of race, ethnicity, indigenous identity, 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, substance use 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.

Members in other countries who align with our values and agree to our community agreements may become “Associate Members” to gain access to our educational opportunities. We recognize the diversity of thought, identities, and perspectives. We also recognize that individuals affiliate with multiple identities.

Membership is open to any individual who:

1. Has experienced force, fraud, or coercion in any form of labor, to include the sex trades or other criminalized economies;
2. Was commercially sexually exploited as a child;
3. Engaged in commercial sex while a minor.*

*Why do we say both “was commercially sexually exploited as a child” and “engaged in commercial sex while a minor”? Both of these fit the definition of the TVPA but reflect the diversity of ways our members describe their experiences. Some, especially those who were sex trafficked as small children, do not identify as being a “youth in the sex trades” due to the unique circumstances of their experiences. And others prefer to describe their experiences as being a “youth in the sex trades” due to the extenuating circumstances that necessitated their sex trading (such as homelessness, fleeing family abuse, etc.). We honor the self-descriptions of our members, and recognize that this definition or explanation does not capture the full diversity of experiences of trafficking.

Membership Application Process

Please note: The NSN has paused membership application processing while we strengthen some of our internal protocols to make sure we can welcome you into a vibrant community with clear expectations and compassionate communication. We apologize for any delay and look forward to following up soon!

• Applicants must complete the NSN Membership Application. In general, full membership is limited to survivors living in the United States, although members in other countries can apply for Associate Membership if they align with our goals and community agreements.
• NSN staff will reach out via email within four to six weeks (timeline may be a little slower during March through May of 2023 while we are processing a high volume of applications) to schedule a phone or Zoom conversation with the prospective member. During the 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.
• NSN staff will review the potential member’s application with the NSN leadership. Approval for membership is contingent on approval.
• If the applicant is approved for membership, the new member will then have access to member benefits and activities.

Membership Activities

Can access without membership:

• Stakeholder newsletter “Network News”
• Public webinars
• Apply for microgrants and scholarships when we have them (US-based survivors only)

Members can access before or without attending the 1-hour orientation: 

• Member Newsletter “The Hub” (Full and Associate Members)
• Mentoring and TA (Full and Associate Members)
• Members-only webinars (Full and Associate Members)

Members can access after attending a 1-hour orientation:

• Google group for discussion (Full Members Only)
• Monthly meetings (Full Members Only)
• Members-only interactive trainings and professional development (Full and Associate Members)
• Passing along job or contract opportunities – some external and some with the NSN (Typically Only Full Members)
• Working groups. (Full Members Only)

Group Agreements for Meetings

As part of our commitment to hosting a safer, braver, emergent space, we have group agreements that guide our meeting times together. The list below is current as of November 20, 2022, and will be updated at our website quarterly as needed.

1. USE THE PARKING LOT FOR FUTURE MEETING TOPICS: Be respectful of our limited time together and the agenda; you can always suggest things for future agendas.
2. NOT A TRAUMA-PROCESSING SPACE: Limit trauma details and know your “why” for story-sharing.
3. CONFIDENTIALITY: take the lessons, leave the stories
4. ENSURE SPACE FOR ALL VOICES: Make space, take space; Be conscious of privilege and power, including movement power; Who is often heard in our movement?
5. MUTUAL EMPOWERMENT: When one of us shines we all shine brighter. Lift each other up. There is no scarcity of opportunity for us to fill the movement.
6. NOBODY OWNS KNOWLEDGE: Different kinds of expertise have value; Formal education isn’t the only or the most valuable education; Have personal and professional humility.
7. COMPASSION AND KINDNESS: Hold each other with gentleness and compassion while we norms-set; Speak your truth, and hold different truths from your own with grace; Bravery and safety in balance with each other.
8. RECOGNIZE AND COMMIT TO LEARNING ABOUT THE DIFFERENT ACCESS NEEDS AND DISABILITIES OF OTHER MEMBERS: We each have important, valid, and unique differences in our access needs, communication styles, capacities, and approaches to our work.
9. ROOM FOR GENERATIVE CONFLICT AND REPAIR: Create a space for repair and generative conflict without fear of retaliation.
10. MANAGE YOUR OWN BOUNDARIES AND NEEDS: Prioritize self-care and give yourself permission to participate, check out, or opt out as needed.
11. RESPECT OTHER PEOPLES’ BOUNDARIES: Acknowledge that we all have different expectations and boundaries around time, social space, communication, and availability.

Code of Conduct