August is National Wellness Month, a time when social media fills with reminders to hydrate, stretch, and practice mindfulness. However, for survivors of sex trafficking, wellness is more than a momentary routine. It is a radical act of reclaiming safety, identity, and hope.
At REST, we walk alongside survivors every day who are working not just to survive, but to thrive after trauma. That journey requires more than temporary relief. It takes time, support, and the unwavering belief that wellness belongs to everyone.
The Hidden Cost of Exploitation
Survivors of sex trafficking often carry invisible wounds. The trauma of exploitation doesn’t end when the trafficking does. It lingers in the form of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), anxiety, depression, chronic health conditions, substance use disorders, and more. Some studies have found that the rate of PTSD among sex trafficking survivors equals or even exceeds that of combat veterans.
In fact, research shows that survivors of sex trafficking experience rates of PTSD comparable to or even higher than combat veterans. One systematic review found that the median prevalence of PTSD among trafficking survivors was approximately 32.6 percent, with some studies showing rates as high as 54.4 percent. For comparison, PTSD rates among U.S. combat veterans range from 15 to 29 percent over a lifetime. These numbers highlight the profound psychological toll of trafficking and the urgent need for long-term support.
In the past year alone, among the 299 REST clients who shared health information, 81 percent experienced a mental health issue, chronic condition, physical disability, substance use disorder, or developmental disability. These aren’t isolated struggles. They are the compounded effects of years of being hurt, ignored, and left without access to care.
Wellness That Makes Space for the Whole Person
At REST, we know that wellness is not one-size-fits-all. While yoga mats or green smoothies can help, survivors of sex trafficking know that wellness also means being able to sleep without fear, access medical care without judgment, talk to a therapist who understands trauma, and find strength in their bodies again through rest, movement, and nourishment. Wellness means receiving treatment for pain caused by years of abuse, and knowing they are not alone on the journey to feeling whole again.
REST’s Mental Health Services program remains a vital lifeline for survivors on their path to healing. In the past year, the team supported 111 clients through 913 mental health engagements, including 103 first-time participants. Of those enrolled, 81 percent reported improved mental health and 7 percent reduced their involvement in the sex trade, powerful signs of progress. REST provided 492 individual therapy sessions, made 116 referrals with 50 percent resulting in enrollment, and delivered 855 connection services including mental health advocacy and treatment coordination. In total, clients achieved more than 87 health-related goals, each one a meaningful step toward wholeness and hope.
Why Wellness Is a Justice Issue
Too often, survivors are expected to heal alone. But true wellness is not a personal responsibility, it’s a community commitment. That’s why REST offers more than just immediate support. We provide wraparound services designed to meet survivors where they are, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, so they can build a life filled with freedom, safety, and hope.
How You Can Help Survivors Thrive
Learn: Educate yourself about the long-term effects of sex trafficking and the barriers to wellness.
Advocate: Speak up for funding, resources, and policies that ensure access to housing, therapy, and trauma-informed care.
Give: Your gift helps provide the practical support survivors need to thrive.
Care: When we show up for ourselves, we’re better equipped to show up for others.