Recent statistics reveal that male victims of sex trafficking are more prevalent than previously thought, with their numbers approaching those of female victims. The primary distinction lies in the higher percentage of male victims aged 0 to 11 compared to their female counterparts. This narrative recounts Mike Chapman’s experience of being sexually trafficked by his father in Oregon during the 1970s, his journey of repressed memory recovery and healing, and his subsequent support for other male survivors. Beginning at age 30, Mike began to recall repressed memories of the sexual abuse he suffered by his father. He initiated a healing process to address the trauma but paused it while raising two children. At 54, he resumed his pursuit of healing and unearthed the additional trauma of having been sexually trafficked by his father. This discovery marked a new phase toward healing. Mike intends to share his personal account of uncovering the truths of his abusive past and how it led him to find healing, resilience, and hope for others, highlighting the decades-long issue of sexual exploitation of young boys by their white, middle-class family members in the U.S. He advocates for public and NGO services to include male survivors, especially those of family-controlled trafficking, in their plans and research, emphasizing the need to support both recent and long-ago survivors, including those who suppressed the events years or even decades later, in their healing journeys.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
Mike Chapman, a Recovery Life Coach and Brainspotting Provider residing in Coastal North Carolina, is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, family-controlled sex trafficking, and clergy sexual assault. He is also a member of the Speakers Bureau with Survivor Network North Carolina and a podcast host interviewing abuse and trafficking survivors.