Welcome to Mindshift Power podcast, a show for teenagers and the adults who work with them, where we have raw and honest conversations. I'm your host, Fatima Bey, the mind shifter. And welcome, everyone. Today, we have with us Amanda Blackwood. She is from Colorado.

She is a human trafficking and abuse survivor. She's an author and an advocate, and I cannot wait to talk to her. Let me tell you, I just wanna tell you guys this. Ever since I started this podcast, this is the episode I have been waiting to do with all of my heart, and I finally found the exact right guest to do it with. So thank you, Amanda, for coming on today.

How are you doing? I'm doing fantastic. Thank you so much for having me. I'm so glad I get to hang out with you today. I'm glad to.

所以，我想直接切入正題。請向觀眾解釋一下。我們經常看到這個標題，但我認為90%的人對此一無所知。什麼是人口販賣？它和我們想像的不一樣。

所以我總是告訴人們，要獲得關於人口販賣的最佳定義，不要去谷歌，也不要去維基百科。這些資源很容易出錯，而且經營這些資源的人不一定受過這方面的訓練或教育。嗯。我去國土安全部尋找我的定義。

It doesn't change. And the department of homeland security defines human trafficking as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain commercial sex acts or labor from another person. However, if that person is under the age of 18, force, fraud, or coercion doesn't matter. If you remove the force, fraud, and coercion and somebody is under the age of 18, if you are obtaining commercial sex, sex, or labor from this person, it does not matter. That is considered human trafficking.

所以很多人一開始就想到，如果是未成年兒童，那就是人口販賣。對吧？或者只有未成年兒童才會被販賣，但事實並非如此。你知道，這是一個巨大的誤解。當人們認為只有18歲以下的人才會被販賣時，實際上是把所有人口販賣都放在一個非常小的泡沫裡。嗯…

That it negates a lot of other survivors or victims of trafficking. So when I do talk about myself and my own history, I always shock people by telling them that, number one, I was trafficked three times. The average number is seven because just like with domestic violence, when somebody leaves, they end up getting sucked back into that world. It's familiar. Yeah.

Yeah. And number two, when I was trafficked, the first time I was 18, the second time I was 19, the third time I was trafficked, I was 31 years old. Really? Yeah. Only, like, one quarter of all victims worldwide are under the 18.

我們大多數人都超過18歲了。近年來，科羅拉多州從人口販賣中解救出來的年齡最大的人實際上已經七十多歲了。沒有人能倖免於難。哇。你還能再說一次嗎？

Which part? The age thing because I think one of the reasons we're doing this episode, I think people don't know some of the I didn't I didn't know some well, some of the numbers that you just said, and I I just repeat them again. So one quarter of all victims are 18. Most are 18. That older person yeah.

Yeah. That one is always shocking. That is shocking. I know that it happens to people 18, but I didn't know the those numbers. And that that wow.

Alright. And, continue. I'm sorry for that. I that I just had to absorb that. So another one of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to this kind of stuff is when people are thinking that it only happens to kids.

They're thinking it's kids that are snatched off the streets by greasy weirdos and windowless fans. Right. That makes up about one percent of all trafficking cases. Yep. Most people like me are trafficked by people they already know and trust and love and people who have a sense of authority over their lives.

You know, a lot of the underage kids are being trafficked by their own parents, stepparents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, siblings. This is far more common than the kidnapping scenario. Yes. And I think it's important that people understand that it's disgusting, but that is what's reality. So let's break it down.

You do a very good job at at breaking it down. So what are the different kinds of trafficking? The two most prevalent, that we talk about are, of course, sex trafficking and labor trafficking. Mhmm. But the reason that we talk about sex trafficking so much is because, as the old adage says, sex sells.

是的。勞工販賣在人口販賣中所佔的比例比地球上任何其他類型的販賣都要大。性販賣僅佔全球所有販賣案件的14%左右。此外，我們也會討論一些較小的販賣類型，例如器官販賣，但這種情況已經非常罕見了。但如果你縱觀勞工販賣的整體情況，你會發現情況並非如此。

It's not just migrant workers. We're also talking about child soldiers in Africa. We're talking about child brides. Talking about all of these people who have been absolutely disadvantaged and taken into this world where they don't wanna be and forced to do things that they don't wanna do. And let's get real with it.

If it's not commercial sex and you're being forced to just have sex, that is still labor trafficking, period. Makes you change your way of thinking about it For the labor trafficking piece, is that something that just happens overseas, or does it actually happen here in The US? Not only does it happen here in The US, but it happens right here in my own backyard. Here in Colorado, there are sheep farms where people are, trying to bring in workers from wherever. It doesn't matter if they're locals or if they're migrant workers.

They bring these sheep farmers in and tell them, we will give you free room and board. You stay here on the on the property, and we will pay you x number of dollars per hour to come and stay here and and take care of the sheep. Mhmm. These guys are coming in and going to these facilities because we can't call them homes. We can't call them, living quarters.

他們基本上和牲畜一起住在穀倉裡，工資微薄，以至於他們非常依賴這份工作。他們負擔不起離開的費用。他們沒有錢存錢。他們吃不飽，以至於他們不得不出去買更多的食物。這些人正在努力養活整個家庭。

They're right here in Colorado. There are some people that are in this position less than 10 miles from my home right now. And is that legal? Heck no. Anytime you've got an issue with somebody being paid less than minimum wage, this is called wage theft, and wage theft is a form of human trafficking.

我同意。而且我認為人們不會這麼想。你知道，這個叫做「思維轉變力量」的播客，就是其中一集能夠改變思維的節目。我希望人們在人口販賣問題上轉變思維，意識到我們為之奮鬥的一些東西，我們覺得這是一種不公平。我們需要拓寬我們對不公義的理解，因為有時當我們關注那些小人物時，我們忽略了更大的不公義。

Tell us about some other myths. You mentioned some already, but what are some other myths when it comes to human trafficking that people that we should just break right now? One of the biggest ones that I've come across personally is when people find out that I'm a trafficking traffic survivor, they ask me, oh, who rescued you? Very few of us get rescued. We hate that word.

一般來說，人口販賣的倖存者絕對討厭「獲救」這個詞。我沒有被「獲救」。沒有人來找我。沒有人關心我。我靠自己逃了出來，因為我決心活下去。

我不是被救出來的。我是被上帝指引的。所以他們就在這裡。我們不應該在與被販賣的人交談時，假設他們被「救出來」了。雖然救人確實會發生。

But even if you go to rescue someone, they have to be willing to grab your hand and come with you. So there is a matter of if someone is a survivor, 100% of the time, it took their will to get there, whether they got help or not. Right. Another big one that I've come across, especially for myself again, is the myth that sex trafficking means prostitution. This one was really painful for me.

It took me a long time to come to terms with trying to understand what this meant and how this correlated to my life in particular, because I was never a prostitute. Does that mean that I wasn't trafficked? Who am I? Is it am I am I an imposter? Am I lying to people by saying that I'm a survivor of trafficking?

事實上，大多數（並非所有）從事賣淫或性工作的人都是人口販運的受害者。然而，這只是性販運的一小部分。所以，每當有人問我是否長期從事賣淫工作，我都會閉口不談。現在我會說，哦，不。讓我來告訴你。

我很樂意和你們分享我的故事，至少分享一點點，這樣你們就能更好地理解這代表什麼。我認識一個男人，我們認識了七年之久。我們訂婚了。他邀請我搬去和他住，我答應了。他花了七年時間才讓我搬過去。

他花了七天才開始販賣我。我說的販賣我，不是指他把我趕到街上，你知道，讓我在人行道上賣淫。不是這樣的。他基本上把他的家變成了旋轉門。人們進來，付錢給他，對我做他們想做的事，然後離開，然後下一個又進來。

I was never out there soliciting myself ever, and that is a big part of prostitution. I was absolutely taken advantage of. This is a % human trafficking, force, fraud, or coercion to obtain commercial sex acts. Yeah. I was a textbook definition of trafficking, and yet I felt like an imposter because people were asking me if I was a prostitute.

我們大多數人不是，也從未做過妓女，但大多數妓女是人口販賣的受害者。再說一次。大多數性販賣的倖存者從未做過妓女，但大多數妓女是性販賣的受害者。而這一點人們沒有意識到。這就是為什麼當人們美化賣淫時，我真的很生氣，因為我理解這一點。

And I understand we're looking at victims. It's not cute. It's not funny. It's you it's just what you just said is a % true. Yeah.

And and, again, you said most. You didn't say all because it's true that it's not all, but it but it's definitely true that it's most. Yeah. It's definitely true that it's most. So I have another big one for you.

Okay. Let me get ready for this one. People think it only happens to women. Oh, yes. Let's talk about that.

There was a recent study done that just came out where the numbers are so skewed. They believe it is 49% men and boys. I believe that. You know why? Men don't pipe up about it as much Right.

In our society. And I honestly, I think those numbers are I don't care what the numbers say. They're all wrong because you can only get the numbers from the people who speak up, not the ones who don't. Right. And when it comes to young boys and men, there's such a big stigma with them.

You know, when it comes to women being abused, we're far more accepting than if a boy says I was abused, I was I was raped, I was molested, whatever the case, whatever the case may be, whether you're talking about trafficking or molestation or any of that, any kind of abuse, if a if a boy pipes up, we are so much less sympathetic. And that is wrong. That is our own ignorance and a misconception. So I, and I know that you're what you're saying is absolutely true because I've done some studying on it because that's a topic I care about. So I've done some studying on it and I'm like, oh my God, these, these numbers aren't even right.

They can't get proper numbers because they have to speak up for them to get proper numbers. They, and I know some guys around me that have had stuff happened to you and I mean, happened to them and they just try to brave it, but it messes them up and they just don't recognize how it's messing them up. Yeah. I've actually had some of them become beatings themselves. I'm sorry.

是的。實際上，有些人來找我，說：「嘿，我出事了，我一直沒跟任何人說。我能告訴你嗎？」 是的。 是的。

And that's why what you do is so important because if if if they're opening up to you, that's a start. Yeah. You know, where they may have just bottled it up and it eats away at the inside of you. You know? Yeah.

除了顯而易見的原因之外，為什麼您如此倡導人口販運意識？ 2018年，我坐在一個會議的前排。那是一場反人口販運會議，我非常興奮，因為我就是那些被所有這些迷思和謊言所迷惑的人之一。我當時只想著，讓我們拯救孩子。我坐在那裡，聽著其他倖存者的發言，聽著小組專家談論調查、聯邦調查局的統計數據，以及經營這些反人口販運組織的人員。

And when they opened up the questions, I raised my hand and they brought the microphone over to me. And my question was going to be, how long does it take for somebody who's been through something like this to have a normal life afterward? Because honestly, I was still struggling. Yeah. Yeah.

然後我說的卻是「我是一個倖存者，我需要幫助」。這是我人生中第一次意識到自己是人口販賣的倖存者，因為當時有很多流言蜚語，因為很多誤解。是的。其次，這是我第一次尋求協助。哇。

Because I was always told if I couldn't do it on my own, I wasn't worth it. Wow. Well, then an advocate because there's a lot of other people out there just like me that, number one, don't know that they've been trafficked, and number two, don't know how to ask for help. Yes. There are.

There are, and that's why we're doing this. God, there are. You know? I'm so glad you're doing what you're doing because it's honestly kinda rare to find someone like you, which is why it took me this long to to do this episode. And more people need to take the time to listen to what you have to say, really, and and learn the realities, not just the quick concepts were sold in media very often.

是的。我來問問你。對於那些不知道的人來說，他們從未經歷過販賣，他們的家人中也沒有任何人被販賣過。他們為什麼要關心呢？這個問題問得真好，而且總是很難回答。

Why should we care? Yeah. Every time I stand in front of an audience and I talk about all of this stuff on stage, When I get down, there's always somebody there that says, oh, wow. I've never met a survivor of human trafficking before. And I say, that you know of.

Exactly. Less than two percent of us survive. Yep. Of that two percent that survive, even fewer of us are willing to tell you about it. The fact that you don't know if you've ever met somebody like this means you probably have.

Right. They just didn't tell you. We need to care because those people are already in our lives. They've already had this happen. They don't know that it's called trafficking.

他們不知道如何獲得所需的資源，讓自己的生活變得更好，治癒傷痛，好起來，這樣他們才能回到現實，不再覺得地球上的每個人都在傷害他們。這是你愛的人。這是你在乎的人。這是你最好的朋友。這是你的姊妹。

This is your brother. This is your neighbor. You do know these people. You just don't realize it. Well, said Amanda, and you're absolutely right.

And those people affect the people around them, and that's why we should care. They're already affecting your life even if you don't know it. That person who's, like, squeamish and won't date and they're mean, they probably meant there's some trauma. There's a reason for that. You know?

他們有時會做一些不對勁的事，有時甚至不明白自己為什麼要這麼做。經歷過這些卻還沒從傷痛中痊癒的人，會產生各種不同的滾雪球效應。是啊。而且治癒的過程非常艱難，需要很長的時間。

And I, you know, and I know you know this, Amanda. It's a very long haul to to heal, and I don't think people understand that either. You don't just talk about it and get over it. Right. You know, it takes a long time, and you have to dig deep.

And and there's layers and layers and layers of stuff emotionally, spiritually, and physically that you have to deal with. Right? Absolutely. I mean, you have to be able to give it a name. I I mean, do you remember watching the movie The NeverEnding Story when you were a kid?

Oh my god. Yes. The nothing that ate everything? The big the big white fluffy dog thing? Right.

It needed a name. The princess needed a name. The nothing needed a name. Without a name, how do you fight it? True.

說得對。這部電影遠不止是一個奇幻故事。它告訴孩子們，這就是你如何對抗所有發生在你身上的糟糕事情的方法。先給它取個名字。一旦你給它起了名字，你就可以對抗它了。

Very good point, Amanda. Very, very good point. Now for those who are listening right now, I know that, you know, some people might be thinking, well, I care. I don't necessarily understand trafficking, and I I just learned something new because I never stood all this stuff. We can't do everything, but we can each do something.

普通聽眾現在能做什麼？參與進來，了解更多。或許最好的參與和學習方式之一，就是找到像Skull Games這樣的組織。 Skull Games正在盡其所能，幫助培訓一般民眾和執法人員如何更好地處理此類情況。他們有一位真正的退休警官，正在訓練其他人如何發現這些問題，如何處理這些問題，以及如何避免進一步傷害他人。

But this organization is also taking regular people like you and me and giving us a lot more training on how to recognize things, what to do in this instance, how to get more involved with law enforcement, how to get more involved with local anti trafficking organizations. Another big thing that I always tell people is that if you're wanting to get involved with a a nonprofit anti anti trafficking organization, and they're actually going out there and they say that they're helping the victims or the survivors, ask them what physical needs they have. Do they need toothbrushes? Do they need toothpaste? Do they need shampoo, clothing, pillows, socks?

If they don't need these physical items, they don't need your money either. Oh, that's a good point. It's a good way to look at it. You just mind shifted us. But, yes, we can all do something.

We we can all do something. And and I agree. It starts with educating yourselves. Because from that education, you can figure out what you can best do. And sometimes it is giving money to that organization that gives the counsel that they need.

That's where your money can be helpful if you give to an organization that is actually doing the help. Because maybe you're not a counselor. You don't know how to talk to them, and you're awkward, and you don't know what to do. Okay. That's fine.

Give to those who are doing the job. You know? That's where your money can come in handy. But just learning more about people around you instead of making assumptions, that could go a long way. That can go a long way.

Absolutely. Now, you do a lot, Amanda. So tell us about the services you offer and how people can find you. So I am a trauma recovery mentor. I love doing it where I work one on one with people who are trying to figure out what their trauma reactions are.

透過我，我能夠幫助人們認清自己的本質，了解他們來自哪裡，如何對抗這些創傷，並重新訓練他們的大腦。很多人沒有意識到他們可以對抗這些長期的創傷反應，我已經整理了一份包含60多種創傷反應的清單。哇！我還有一個播客，每週講解不同的創傷反應。我還有一個不同的播客，重點介紹其他人，他們寫下了自己克服這些不可思議的困難的故事，並講述了他們如何克服這些困難，而不是一直停留在痛苦和煎熬中。

I just wanna uplift people. I mean, there's a lot of other stuff that I do too, but these are the main focus that I do now. I am also a published author and a public speaker, and I do these things also. But my main focus is on other people, not on me, not on what I'm capable of, but what I what they're capable of. And that's why we get along.

We we have that same heart when it comes to helping, doing what we can from where we are, you know, to to help others. So what are your website? What is your website? It's growthfromdarkness.com because that's what we do. We grow even from the darkness.

是的。我很喜歡這個。順便說一句，我喜歡這個標題。她會把Amanda的訊息放在節目筆記或播客描述裡，這樣你就能隨處找到她。我會放一個鏈接，你可以在那裡找到她的書。

你可以在社群媒體上找到她，找到她提供的所有服務，以及她所做的一切。這不會是你最後一次聽到她的消息。我們接下來還有幾期節目，主題雖然不同，但都相關，我迫不及待想播了。這位女士真是太棒了。

And I do strongly advise that you go and get her book. I I like to talk to people who are coming from a place of experience and not just from a place of an education. I don't care what you know. I care that you understand what you know. There's a difference.

這位女士確實了解她所知道的事情。好吧，再次感謝你，阿曼達，感謝你的到來，我期待著再次與你交談。非常感謝。我也是。我期待著和你一起閒聊。

And now for a mind shifting moment. Today's mind shifting moment is going to happen when you go back and listen to this episode again. I want you to go back and repeat this episode, but listen with different ears. I want you to begin to pick apart the immense amount of information that was given in this episode and say, how can I begin to recognize what's around me? Once you do that, I then want you to dive a little deeper and say, what can I do about what I recognize around me?

It doesn't have to be huge. It doesn't have to be off putting. But what little thing can I do to make a difference? Because, see, if we all do that, we all can make a huge difference by each making a little difference. You can make a difference.

Thank you for listening to mind shift power podcast. Please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel at the mind shifter. If you have any comments, topic suggestions, or would like to be a guest on the show, please visit fatimabay.com/podcast. Remember, there's power in shifting your thinking. Tune in for next week.