Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight against Child Sex Trafficking
Welcome to Invading the Darkness: stories from the fight against child sex trafficking in the United States. This podcast features Linda Smith, the founder of Shared Hope International, sharing stories from her 23 years of fighting the battle of domestic minor sex trafficking.
In 2025, "Invading the Darkness" will introduce a video element to its podcast, featuring hosts Yvonne and Kim, who are survivors of sex trafficking and advocates for the Just Like Me campaign.
Yvonne and Kim will share their life experiences, insights, and narratives from other survivors.
Our desire is that each episode will help you better understand the importance of fighting child sexual exploitation in the United States.
Invading the Darkness: Stories from the Fight against Child Sex Trafficking
When Joy Feels Unsafe: Ashley's Story of Trauma, Healing, and the Power of Aftercare S4E8
What if happiness felt terrifying instead of safe?
In this powerful episode of Invading the Darkness, Ashley bravely unpacks how early trauma impacts the brain—and how for many trafficking survivors, even joy can feel like a threat.
From childhood pain to adult healing, Ashley shares what it’s like to resist the very things that are meant to bring peace. We explore how trauma rewires the brain, why healing isn’t always linear, and how joy can become a radical act of recovery.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the deep layers of trauma-informed care—and why aftercare and diversion aren’t optional, they’re life-saving.
If you find Ashley’s episode interesting or if you provide care to trafficked victims, be sure to check our Shared Hope’s RESPOND e-Learning course. You can access it here: https://store.sharedhope.org/product/respond/
Listen now to Ashley’s story of truth, tenderness, and transformation.
Don’t forget to subscribe @sharedhopeinternational,
follow us on social media, and check out invadingthedarkness.org.
Visit https://invadingthedarkness.org/
Learn more about how you can take action https://sharedhope.org/justlikeme/
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