Warning: The following contains discussion of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sex trafficking, which may be disturbing for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

You're listening to episode #95 with Megan Lundstrom.

In this episode we talk about Megan's personal story with sex trafficking, as well as signs to look for, and red flags when it comes to human trafficking. Megan also dispels some myths that many people have bought into when it comes to sex trafficking and conspiracy theories that are currently rampant.

Learn more about Megan:

Megan Lundstrom is the founder and Executive Director of Colorado-based, nationally serving non-profit, Free Our Girls since 2014. The organization is dedicated to the economic empowerment of survivors of domestic sex trafficking and specializes in programming and advocacy in rural areas.

Ms. Lundstrom is also the Co-Director of Avery Research & Consulting, an agency dedicated to survivor-centered academic applied research on the commercial sex trade. Ms. Lundstrom began consulting with Larimer County’s Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children’s Multi-Disciplinary Response Team in 2017 and has remained a steering committee member through the present.

Ms. Lundstrom has been a consultant for the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign, and Polaris Project on On-Ramps, Intersections, and Exit Routes, as well as Integrating Survivor Voice into Research. She has created and delivered numerous training and educational presentations both in the academic community as well as for agencies such as UC Health, Planned Parenthood, Delta Airlines, American College of Nurse-Midwives, United States Department of Agriculture, the Colorado Organization for Victims Advocacy, Girls Education and Mentoring Services, and the Commercial Sexual Exploitation Institute at Villanova University Law School.

Megan is currently a fellow for the Office for Trafficking in Persons’ Human Trafficking Leadership Academy. Ms. Lundstrom was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Colorado Front Range Anti-Trafficking Coalition, and Free Our Girls was awarded the Education and Innovation Award in 2018 from Group Publishing and the Right on the Money award from the Consumers United Association for Taking Flight, the organization’s economic empowerment direct service program and financial literacy curriculum for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.

Ms. Lundstrom’s research on cultic theory was internationally published through United Nations University’s Delta 8.7 and presented at the International Cultic Studies Association annual conference, both in 2018. Megan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Sociology, both from the University of Northern Colorado.

Connect with Megan Lundstom:

Megan's Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/iamaveryday

The Avery Center Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/theaverycenterorg

The Avery Center Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/theaverycenterorg/

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Editor's Note: We fully understand that not all people involved in platforms like OnlyFans and PornHub are victims and everyone has a right to their own sexual expression. Some of the claims about these platforms have been disputed. And, as in everything there are two sides of the coin. In this episode we focused on trafficking, not those engaging in the platforms of their own free will. Further discussion is needed. And we’ll return to this topic in a future episode.