Voices of Resilience: Hope for Justice joins survivor leaders at UNODC conference

Hope for Justice was proud to be represented at the first-ever United Nations Global Forum for Human Trafficking Survivors, held in Vienna this week. ‘Voices of Resilience’ brought together survivor leaders, civil society organisations, service providers and government representatives from across the globe, with a shared aim to create a safe and empowering space for survivors to share their perspectives; strengthen collaborations and networks; and influence the development of more effective policies and protection systems. The forum was held on 24^th and 25^th June 2025, organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Phillipa Roberts, Head of Policy and Research, represented Hope for Justice, while Jane Lasonder, who chairs Hope for Justice’s Survivor Leadership Council, spoke at the conference in her role as vice-chair of ISTAC, the International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

In her panel session, Jane delivered a compelling address on the critical need for survivor-informed protection responses in human trafficking. She emphasised that the narrative has for too long been dominated by those without lived experience, and said genuine solutions can only emerge when lived experience is central to the design and implementation of all policies and practices.

Jane shared an inspiring dream held by many survivors: to lead major organizations like UNODC, not just serve as consultants. She stressed the importance of high-level survivor representation in decision-making roles.

She advocated for the establishment of national councils of survivors in every country, highlighting the collaborative work already being done by groups like ODIHR. ODIHR-OSCE ISTAC advises 57 states, provides training, organises events, and educates and advises organisations on trauma-informed approaches and how to set up National Referral Mechanisms (NRMs). An NRM is a co-operative, national framework to ensure that survivors are identified and receive the safeguarding and support that they need.

Jane also addressed the issue of survivors being asked to share their stories for free. She stated that working for free leads to poverty, and poverty creates vulnerabilities to trafficking. She underscored that survivors are individuals first, but also possess invaluable expertise and knowledge, particularly regarding the coercive tactics used by traffickers.

She concluded by emphasising that effective outcomes in anti-trafficking efforts depend on true partnerships with survivors. Jane expressed her desire to see conversations translate into concrete commitments, using the platform provided by UNODC as a springboard for better things. She declared that when survivors work together on such high platforms, a small voice becomes a mighty roar.

Phillipa Roberts, Head of Policy and Research at Hope for Justice, was a rapporteur at the breakout group on breaking down barriers to access to justice. She said: “It was a real privilege to be in the room listening and learning from the wealth of expertise from across the globe. One thing that came across loud and clear is the power of partnership. Ethical and meaningful survivor inclusion, and survivor-centred, trauma-informed responses must have real meaning and be more than words on a page if we are to have effective counter-trafficking responses.”

Phillipa added: “Ethical and meaningful survivor inclusion must be foundational and permeate through every aspect of what we do, from policy and programmes design and implementation, to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, learning and research at a local, national, and global level, to fair remuneration for survivors, including creating permanent roles.”

Hope for Justice thanks the UNODC team for organising this fantastic event, and we were happy to support the call to action adopted at the conference signalling this is not the end but just the beginning.