In Southeast Asia, services for survivors of human trafficking have historically been centralized within shelter programs. Minimal research has, however, been conducted regarding trafficking-specific shelters, particularly research that highlights the perspectives of survivors themselves. This manuscript presents the perspectives of survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation on their own experiences pertaining to trafficking-specific shelter services. We analyzed data from the Butterfly longitudinal research (BLR) study, a 10-year longitudinal study exploring the lives, trajectories, and viewpoints of survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Cambodia. We analyzed 236 in-depth interviews and narrative summaries of interviews conducted between 2011 and 2016 using an interpretive phenomenological approach ( n = 79). Four themes were identified: feeling privileged to live in a shelter; lacking freedom and feeling imprisoned by rules; limited engagement with family; and mixed experiences with counseling. Findings inform critical recommendations for implementing trauma-informed care and strengthening mental health services for survivors, including services provided within shelter programs and within the anti-human trafficking movement more broadly.

This article explores the perspectives of Cambodian boys who have experienced human trafficking and sexual exploitation on their experiences transitioning out of shelters and re‐entering the community. We used an interpretive phenomenological approach to analyse 81 interviews and narrative summaries of interviews drawn from Chab Dai's 10‐year longitudinal study with survivors in Cambodia (n = 22). Themes included: minimal involvement in planning for re/integration; conflicted feelings about life in the community; challenges completing school and securing employment; importance of community‐based services; unfulfilled expectations; violence in the community; and a desire to return to the shelter.

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Human trafficking is a global challenge that violates fundamental human rights. While the risk factors and health impacts of human trafficking have been well documented, the potential for survivors’ resilience is far less understood. In Southeast Asia, the majority of trafficking-specific services have historically been concentrated in shelters, and yet evidenced-based protocols for shelter services are lacking. This study aligns with the growing literature that emphasizes the importance of feminist and trauma-informed services to support the long-term well-being of survivors of human trafficking. Drawing on qualitative data collected over a 6-year period, the analysis foregrounds the lived experiences and perspectives of 10 women who resided in the same trafficking-specific shelter. Six core themes emerged: being labeled as a victim of human trafficking despite contesting this classification, feeling forced to live in the shelter, a strong desire to leave the shelter environment, disempowering engagement with staff, lack of professionalism among staff, and limitations in vocational services. Collectively, these participant narratives reflect a marked divergence from feminist principles and illustrate the potential for recreating conditions that curtail women’s agency and cause harm within the shelter system. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for a feminist approach to shelter-based service delivery and practice.