Survivor Leadership in Action: Championing Justice and Empowering Survivors

Survivor Leadership in Action: Championing Justice and Empowering Survivors

Brandi is challenging the status quo in human trafficking. As a steadfast advocate for survivors, she’s transforming the way survivors find justice and healing through her organization, Shadows of Strength.
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Too often, survivors face an isolating, overwhelming journey. Brandi sought to change this reality by offering a safe haven where survivors could unravel the complexities of their experience and access support services. Shadows of Strength provides free, safe intelligence gathering services to survivors and plays a critical role in helping build cases against their traffickers. They then work with law enforcement and legal bodies to seek justice for crimes committed, and concurrently, work with survivor support organizations to help survivors rebuild their lives. 

Moreover, Shadows of Strength is shifting traditional intelligence gathering norms by setting new standards for how survivors are treated. With an unwavering commitment to survivors’ well-being, Brandi wants every voice heard and experiences validated. While historically, many survivors have been reluctant to report their exploitation, the tide is turning. Her team’s steadfast support and unwavering commitment to transparency has fostered an environment of trust, empowering more individuals to come forward. This trailblazing approach is setting new standards for survivor engagement in the intelligence gathering landscape.

And law enforcement is taking notice. They’re recognizing and embracing the effectiveness of Shadows of Strength’s efforts in survivor engagement, an approach that is helping bridge the gap between survivors and law enforcement. This collaboration is pivotal in bringing justice and support to those who need it. 

To accomplish this mission, Brandi has assembled a team of highly qualified professionals with decades of combined experience, including in National Security, Military Special Operations, Executive Protection and law enforcement. Working in the panhandle of Florida, USA, Shadows of Strength's ultimate goal is prevention by dismantling trafficking operations, through strategic partnerships, research, intelligence gathering, and analysis. 

Brandi herself has extensive investigative experience through her twelve years as a Special Agent and Independent Contract Investigator with the National Background Investigations Bureau and the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency in the USA. Collaborating with federal agencies, she has helped remove personnel suspected of child abuse and foreign state actors. Complementing her experience, her educational background in psychology formed a strong foundation to equip her to understand human behavior, build rapport and trust, and glean sensitive information across different global contexts. 

Furthermore, as a survivor herself, Brandi brings deep, compassionate understanding to her work. Her own transformative journey began in 2020, as she sought healing from her trauma. 

"My past has been a profound shaping force in who I am today,” shares Brandi. “...not feeling heard or believed left deep scars…‘Why should I say anything? Who's going to believe me?’ constantly loomed over my mind, filling me with a sense of isolation and the dread of being perceived as crazy...For years, I carried with me immense guilt, shame, and disappointment.” 

Amid her darkest moments, she made a solemn promise to God: “‘I don’t know how or when, but I will make a difference in this world.’ Honoring this promise became my life's mission—the only promise I've ever made with such conviction.” 

She dedicated herself to understanding human trafficking, volunteering with survivor support organizations, actively conversing and learning from survivors, and taking specialized courses in the different forms of human trafficking including child exploitation, s** trafficking, forced laborr, and debt bondage. 

She then aspired to create a sanctuary for survivors—a safe space where they could share their stories with a trusted confidant. Her goal was to offer unwavering support and accompany survivors through the reporting process, when they felt ready to take that step. The culmination of her diverse experiences and knowledge led her to found Shadows of Strength in 2022. It’s a testament to Brandi's commitment to turn her pain into a powerful force for good. 

Today, Brandi continues to channel her experiences into meaningful change. Working closely with law enforcement, the Human Trafficking Task Force, and other operational support organizations, she’s making a lasting impact and bringing justice to survivors. With a deep commitment to securing, protecting, and empowering those affected by trafficking, Brandi's experience, education, and personal journey fuel her passion and purpose. Every step she takes is evidence of her resilience and courage. 

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Shadows of Strength is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 

To learn more about Shadows of Strength, contact info@shadowsofstrength.org.  

If you are a survivor or victim, you can reach Shadows of Strength at (850)427-0935.

Website: https://shadowsofstrength.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShadowsofStrength

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadowsofstrength

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Did you know? 

When asked what stereotype she’d most like to dismantle, Brandi highlights the tragic oversimplification of victims as drugged girls in trap houses. The situation is all too often much more complex. In fact, traffickers intentionally induce drug overdoses in victims who they deem no longer useful. Their deaths are then inaccurately recorded as an overdose statistic rather than a homicide related to human trafficking.

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