RESTORE is a community-based research and education program dedicated to promoting resilience and empowerment among survivors of sex trafficking
Who We Are
RESTORE is made up of a team of survivor advocates, service providers, and researchers who have joined forces to improve the quality of services offered to survivors of sex trafficking. We believe that each person is unique and that one size does NOT fit all when it comes to recovery support. We want survivors to receive resources that are tailor-made for their uniqueness. Research is an important first step in accomplishing this goal. It allows all survivors to have a voice which then supplies the information needed to develop survivor-centered recovery programs.
What We Do
We conduct community-based research on the unique needs and experiences of sex trafficking survivors. Our ultimate goal is to improve the quality of person-centered clinical services offered to survivors and their family members. To learn about our current project, One Size Does Not Fit All, click the link below.
THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF RESTORE
The Survivor's Voice
A survivor's voice is the most powerful weapon in the fight to end sex trafficking. RESTORE is committed to creating an empowering platform for survivors to make their voices heard via community-based research and education.
Community-Based Research
Survivors and service providers have critical expertise needed to combat sex trafficking. These stakeholders are involved in all phases of RESTORE's research process.
Trusted Partnerships
RESTORE relies on trusted partnerships between survivors, community members, and a team of transdisciplinary researchers. Protecting the safety and confidentiality of all survivors who participate in our research is our #1 priority.
Transparent Intentions
Our research priorities are set by survivors, for survivors. Based on these priorities, RESTORE co-creates research studies and collects data which is analyzed for themes and patterns. Summary reports are then sent back to community partners who use the results to improve service provision. These reports are also published online making them available to survivors at any time.
Promoting Social Change
RESTORE is committed to sharing the results of all research studies with survivors and community partners. We are invested in bridging the gap between science and practice. We advocate for the application of research findings to improve the daily lives of survivors. To facilitate this objective, RESTORE team members are available to provide presentations and training upon request.
The Big Picture
Sex trafficking does not occur in a vacuum. Many survivors maintain relationships with romantic partners, children, extended family members, and peer networks. They also interact with members of broader social systems such as clergy, police officers, policy makers, etc. RESTORE approaches all research initiatives through a systemic lens based on our belief that relational and contextual factors play a significant role in intervention and recovery.