02/22/2026
"As an adult, I experienced sexual trauma by a family member…
Sojourn House gave me the word: exploitation.”-Client
Exploitation is often misunderstood — and often minimized.
It doesn’t always look the way people expect.
It can involve:
• Emotional control and secrecy
• Unequal power or dependence
• A slow erosion of someone’s ability to make free choices
Sometimes it hides inside trusted relationships — even the ones that appear sacred.
When trust is shattered, the impact runs deep.
Many survivors live in chronic survival mode 🧠, carrying:
• Anxiety, depression, and complex trauma
• Disconnection from their own lives
• Fear that never fully turns off
👉What looks like dysfunction is often coping.
Exploitation is frequently a catalyst for ⚖️:
• Substance use and addiction
• Legal trouble
• Job loss or housing instability
• Isolation and scrutiny from those who don’t understand the root cause
Exploitation is often the starting point.
When it isn’t recognized, women are left without support.
When it is named, pathways to safety and healing open 💜
Right now, there are women living this story.
This is why education matters.
This is why safe, informed support matters.
If this client’s story — or any part of it — sounds familiar, reach out. You do not have to carry the secret alone.
If you believe in helping women move from survival to stability, from silence to healing, consider supporting Sojourn House.
💙Your partnership makes this work possible.
www.sojournhousewomen.org
