• No. For many reasons, some people do not view or label their experiences as sex trafficking. In effort to represent as many people with lived/living experience, we focus on shared experiences rather than a single way to define something so complex.

    If you have lived/living experience with any of the following, we encourage you to submit:

    • coerced sex work

    • sex trafficking

    • engaged in the sex trades before the age of 18 (includes survival sex).

    • have been forced or coerced by another person to exchange sex.

  • Yes, you can submit up to 2 entries, one per each topic.

  • No, if you’re located anywhere in the United States you’re welcome to participate!

  • Your submission may be added to a peer-messaging toolkit designed sex trafficking survivors and people with lived/living experience with coerced sex work. The purpose of this toolkit is to promote the community’s engagement with health resources tailored to the realities of people with lived/living experience.

  • Only members of the research team and Contest Judges will view entries. Judges include people with lived/living experience, healthcare workers, service providers and community advocates.

    Your entry will be assigned a random four digit number upon receipt so your contact information is never associated with your entry during judging.

  • Yes! All contestants will receive a $25 Visa e-gift card for each eligible entry (2 max).

    Entries will be screened for eligibility within 72 hours upon receipt. If your entry meets submission requirements, you will receive an email with your e-gift cards within these 72 hours.

    Contestants who create the Top 5 Winning Entries will each receive a $500 Visa e-gift card.

  • Contest winners will be announced via email after submissions have closed. If you are selected as a winner, we will send you an additional message directly along with your Visa e-gift card.

  • Your safety is most important to us.

    This project is protected by a Certificate of Confidentiality administered by the National Institute of Health. Meaning, in the rare chance the courts subpoena our data, we are not legally required to provide the courts with any information collected during this study.

    Also, at no time are you required to provide personal identifying information. You are able to use a nickname or alias when submitting. You can also can also easily create an anonymous email address using Gmail.

  • This study does not provide emergency or direct support services.

    Visit the Support Resources page for a range of trauma-informed helplines and hotlines that may be useful, including community specific resources.

    If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.

FAQ