Trauma-informed care has become a widely adopted standard in anti-trafficking and social justice work; however, many organizations struggle to translate trauma-informed principles into sustainable, survivor-centered outcomes. This presentation explores how survivor-led organizations move beyond trauma-informed frameworks to fundamentally transform service delivery, organizational culture, and long-term survivor outcomes. The central premise of this session is that trauma-informed care alone is insufficient when survivor voices are limited to advisory roles or symbolic inclusion. Drawing from lived experience and applied practice, this presentation distinguishes between trauma-informed, survivor-informed, and survivor-led organizational models, emphasizing the importance of survivor leadership in decision-making, governance, and program design. Attendees will examine how traditional service systems, despite good intentions, often perpetuate power imbalances and retraumatization through compliance-driven practices, rigid timelines, and hierarchical structures. The session highlights key components of survivor-led organizations, including shared power, relational accountability, flexibility in service delivery, and trust-based engagement. Practical examples from survivor-led programming illustrate how these principles increase survivor participation, improve retention, and support long-term stability and empowerment. The presentation also addresses common challenges and ethical considerations when implementing survivor-led models, including sustainability, boundaries, and organizational responsibility. It concludes with actionable recommendations for practitioners, nonprofit leaders, and advocates seeking to integrate survivor-led practices within existing systems. Participants will leave with concrete strategies to move beyond trauma-informed care toward more equitable, holistic, and sustainable anti-trafficking and social justice efforts.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
Monica Nagy is a survivor-leader and founder of I AM F.U.S.E., a survivor-led anti-trafficking organization in Florida. She leads direct services, mentorship, and housing initiatives, partners with state systems, and designs trauma-informed, survivor-led programs that reduce retraumatization and improve long-term outcomes for adult and minor survivors.