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“…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness…”
Isaiah 61:3

Sula

Survivor, Leader, and Trafficking Abolitionist

At our May event, we had the privilege of hosting Survivor Leader and Lived Experience Expert, Sula Lael. Prior to the event, we interviewed Sula to gain her insights of the vision of Zeteo Community. Sula emphasized the importance of including survivor input in organizational planning, noting, “Very well-meaning and incredible people can make plans, but they are often disconnected from the reality of what survivors actually need and experience.” We are deeply grateful to Sula and other survivors who have guided us thus far. Establishing Zeteo Community in Wisconsin is a critical step for survivors within our communities.

Sula highlighted the dire need for a safe space for survivors of sexual exploitation, stating, “Every victim in this state deserves a safe place to heal.” One significant hurdle for survivors in Wisconsin is the lack of residential programming. Sula pointed out that vulnerabilities leading to sexual exploitation persist even after escaping. Experts agree that unstable housing is a major factor in survivors being re-exploited. A survey by Safe House Project found that 80% of survivors without stable housing are trafficked again after they escape. Sula stressed, “Meeting these vulnerabilities is one of the greatest ways to prevent re-exploitation and allow healing.”

However, Zeteo Community is to be more than a shelter; offering research-based, trauma-informed therapeutic programming. Sula praised the variety of therapies we plan to offer, recognizing that each survivor has unique needs: “The various types of therapy that you all are going to be offering to survivors is really beautiful… Every survivor is so different, so there will be something incredible for one that maybe doesn’t work as well for another. That is going to be so impactful for survivors in your care.”

When asking what Zeteo Community would mean for survivors seeking help in Wisconsin and beyond, Sula definitively responded with, “Hope.” She went on to explain, “When you are being exploited and sold it is constantly on your mind that there is no way out… there is no hope- life will always be this way… To know there is a place for healing would be hope.”

We are thankful for Sula and her passion to help others heal from the trauma of trafficking in their lives. We deeply value the input and expertise she has provided us and others in her ministry. We look forward to all that’s to come as Zeteo Community continues developing.

To watch the complete interview with Sula, click here.