Modern Day Slavery: My Journey from Hell to Heaven

Fri, September 25 | 3:15 PM EDT– 4:15 PM EDT

Topic: Experience, International | Knowledge Level: Beginner

Lena Cebula

In this presentation, Lena Cebula shares her lived experience to highlight the realities of human trafficking and the hidden pathways that can lead individuals into exploitation. Human trafficking rarely begins with force; it often begins with vulnerability. Poverty, addiction, lack of resources, and unstable environments create conditions where exploitation can take root. She begins by explaining how these systemic vulnerabilities operate globally and how traffickers often target individuals who are struggling simply to survive. She then shares about her early life growing up in poverty in a post-Soviet industrial town where survival was often more important than opportunity. Limited resources, social instability, and exposure to addiction created an environment where vulnerability increased and exploitation became possible. These early circumstances illustrate how systemic conditions can place individuals at greater risk of trafficking and abuse. From there, she will speak about her experiences within exploitation and addiction, and the psychological and social barriers that can keep individuals trapped. She will discuss the turning points that led to her escape and recovery, including the role of shelters, community support, and faith in helping rebuild her life and regain stability. The final part of the presentation focuses on her journey from survival to advocacy. After rebuilding her life, Lena became an author, public speaker, and advocate raising awareness about human trafficking and exploitation. She will conclude with a call to action for professionals, educators, and community leaders to recognize warning signs, address root vulnerabilities such as addiction and homelessness, support survivors with dignity, and help create pathways for survivors to move from survival into leadership and advocacy.

Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.

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Presentation Objectives

• Describe the presenter’s lived experience of human trafficking, addiction, and exploitation to help participants understand how vulnerability, poverty, and lack of resources can create pathways into trafficking
• Discuss the critical life transitions and turning points that contributed to her escape and recovery
• Explain key lessons learned from her journey and identify warning signs and systemic vulnerabilities that professionals, educators, and community leaders should recognize when supporting individuals at risk
• Highlight practical ways communities and service providers can support survivors with dignity and create pathways that empower survivors to move from survival toward leadership and advocacy