In the Season 2 premiere of Fracture to Flourish, host Bryce Butler traces how trafficking risk is often built long before a trafficker appears.Through survivor testimony and expert insight, this episode follows the pathway that can start with abuse and instability at home, continue through placement moves and missed warning signs, and end with a young person searching for belonging in the wrong places.You’ll hear from Lauren about entering foster care after domestic violence. Researcher Dr. Jeanne L. Allert explains why childhood abuse and i...
In the Season 2 premiere of Fracture to Flourish, host Bryce Butler traces how trafficking risk is often built long before a trafficker appears.
Through survivor testimony and expert insight, this episode follows the pathway that can start with abuse and instability at home, continue through placement moves and missed warning signs, and end with a young person searching for belonging in the wrong places.
You’ll hear from Lauren about entering foster care after domestic violence. Researcher Dr. Jeanne L. Allert explains why childhood abuse and instability show up so consistently in trafficking patterns, including the difficult reality of familial and caregiver trafficking. Ashlee Lucas outlines warning signs that schools and communities can miss. Former U.S. Ambassador‑at‑Large John Richmond describes how foster care scaled as a crisis response without being designed around what children need, and why traffickers intentionally target youth who are isolated and unsupported. And Dr. Jennifer Jacobs (Connect Our Kids) names the prevention infrastructure underneath it all: safe, lasting relationships.
Content advisory: This episode includes discussion of abuse and exploitation involving children and families. Please take care as you listen.
Guests + Organizations
- Dr. Jeanne L. Allert — Institute for Survivor Care
- Lauren — first name only (privacy protected)
- Ashlee Lucas — The Tebow Group
- John Richmond — Atlas Free (former U.S. Ambassador‑at‑Large)
- Dr. Jennifer Jacobs — Connect Our Kids
- Tori Hope Petersen
- Crystabella Ryder — Season 1 guest
Partners
- Atlas Free (Season Partner): This season is made possible in part by our partners at Atlas Free, a global movement fighting sex trafficking. Atlas Free supports local organizations helping survivors find freedom and rebuild their futures, and works to stop traffickers where they operate. Learn more at atlasfree.org.
- Scarlet Hope (Season Partner): This season is made possible in part by our partners at Scarlet Hope, which has been showing up week after week with outreach and restoration for women who’ve been exploited in clubs, on the streets, and online. Learn more at scarlethope.org.
- Access Ventures (Series Partner): Fracture to Flourish is a production of Access Ventures, a catalyst for change working to build a flourishing society. Access Ventures leverages catalytic capital and partnerships to drive economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental sustainability in communities. Learn more at accessventures.org.
Resources
- National Human Trafficking Hotline (US): Call 1‑888‑373‑7888 or text BEFREE (233733)
- RAINN (sexual assault support): rainn.org
- National Runaway Safeline: 1‑800‑RUNAWAY (786‑2929) or 1800runaway.org
- NAMI (mental health support): nami.org
Data + sources
Placement stability (Children’s Bureau / CFSR metric)
- https://capacity.childwelfare.gov/sites/default/files/media_pdf/cfsr-data-placement-stability-cp-00007.pdf
- https://cwoutcomes.acf.hhs.gov/cwodatasite/sixOneLessThan12/index/
Entry-to-care / removal circumstances
- https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cb/afcars-report-29.pdf
- https://acf.gov/cb/research-data-technology/statistics-research/afcars
Familial/caregiver trafficking (Dr. Jeanne Allert)
- Coalition summary linking to the national study paper (via ResearchGate).
- Familial/caregiver trafficking (Dr. Jeanne Allert)Source: C7HTC write-up + study link https://www.c7htc.org/familial-trafficking/
Credits
- "Fracture to Flourish" is a production of Access Ventures.
- Created, written, and hosted by Bryce Butler.
- Editing and production by Jacob Bozarth.
- Additional editing and production by Crystal Esquivel and Amelia Witts.
- Audio mixing by Pat Kicklighter.
- Cover art and design by Justin Esquivel.
- Marketing support by Amelia Witts and Madison Butler.
- To listen to past episodes, check out fracturetoflourish.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you for listening!
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