The Reality of Human Trafficking with Alexandra Ford
Dr. Gertrude speaks with Alexandra Ford, a former trafficking victim turned activist, who after 10 years of personal hardships, recognized her experiences were actually human trafficking.
Alexandra Ford, a former trafficking victim turned activist, shares her story with Dr. Gertrude and how she advocates by teaching awareness and consent practices.
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Episode Outline:
04:12 Human trafficking is important to understand whether or not you have children
06:52 Alexandra shares her addiction and trafficking story
18:30 Shame, victim blaming, coercion, and consent
26:08 #1 myth of how trafficking happens
27:63 Best way to protect yourself and community: talk about consent
29:01 Children’s online safety and building cell phone trust
40:19 3 practical examples of teaching consent
48:25 What rewrite the mother code means for Alexandra
53:50 Conclusion
Dr. Gertrude speaks with Alexandra Ford, a former trafficking victim turned activist, who after 10 years of personal hardships, recognized her experiences were actually human trafficking.
Alexandra tells Dr. Gertrude about the importance of understanding human trafficking whether or not you have children. Hollywood has muddled the public perception of what human trafficking actually is and most people think it is only some version of Taken.
When it comes to teaching children about consent and trafficking, the work begins early but maybe not as you’d expect. Alexandra advises that a wider understanding and normalization of consent is crucial. Not only does no mean no, but yes also means yes and within very specific situations.
Alexandra also advises closely monitoring a child’s phone usage and how they navigate the digital realm. Having strict rules around phones and actually teaching children phone safety are helpful practices for instilling lasting digital safety habits. These habits will form trust between you and them, which will better equip them to trust themselves in avoiding potentially dangerous online situations in the future.
For Alexandra the early years of motherhood have been complex, more like surviving than thriving, which is something that she accepts and wishes other moms knew they are allowed to feel. Her past traumas returned in unexpected ways.
Empowered by her own trafficking experience, legal education, and advocacy work, Alexandra brings awareness to the reality of trafficking and how to counter shame and stigma in victims. She co-founded the advocacy group, Uprising, in Wyoming and her personal brand, The Laughing Survivor, in British Columbia. She is passionate about educating mothers on the importance of safety for children.
#RewriteTheMotherCode #RealityofHumanTrafficking
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Connect with Dr. Gertrude
Learn more on Dr. Gertrude’s website: https://www.drgertrudelyons.com/
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Connect with Alexandra
Learn more about The Laughing Survivor: https://thelaughingsurvivor.com/
Follow Alexandra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelaughingsurvivor/
Sign up for updates on Alexandra’s memoir release: https://linkin.bio/thelaughingsurvivor
About Dr. Gertrude Lyons:
Through her career as a professional life coach, Dr. Gertrude Lyons has become a national mothering revolutionary. Join Gertrude as she confronts the myths surrounding mothering, and challenges the very notion of what it means to be a mother. Expect conversations that question your preconceived beliefs, and ask you to lean into topics that will tap into the powerful femininity within you. Be prepared to show up, hold space, and be mothered in a way you’ve never been before, but have always needed.