Nancy Esiovwa captivates the room with her voice
Claire Walford
Also at the National Network Gathering, we had the privilege of listening to Nancy Esiovwa as she shared her experience of recovery after being trafficked to the UK.
Having escaped her servitude, Nancy has slowly rebuilt her life, and has become a dedicated advocate for improved support systems and opportunities that empower survivors of Human Trafficking, Modern Slavery, and Sexual Violence. She firmly believes that survivors must not only be heard but also given meaningful space and a seat at the table where decisions affecting their lives are made.
Nancy spoke (and sang) passionately about her faith and how Christians in her church cared for her. She talked of the power of forgiveness and hope after deep pain, and the healing that God has brought her.
She closed with a challenge to the Church about supporting survivors which included: the importance of mentorship; how to empower survivors with skills development; the importance of connecting with peers and creating opportunities for joyful hobbies; enabling opportunities for survivors to shape policy and project design. Her speech was truly unforgettable!
