Thank you for your interest in the Definition Writing Clinic and for the opportunity to confide in you about the issues that keep me up at night.

 

As an Anti-Trafficking Victim Specialist, I work daily with individuals of all ages who are survivors of sex and labor trafficking. A key vulnerability I’ve observed is that people, especially youth, from underserved or marginalized communities are prime targets for predators, in person and online.

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Predators use social media and apps to manipulate people, posing as friends who understand their struggles. They promise escape—“run away from home, come stay with me, I have a job for you, I can take you to new places, I can get you a music deal or modeling gig”—only to trap them in unbelievably abusive working situations or exploit them for commercial sex / Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

 

The damage done is devastating and recovering people from these situations requires a concerted effort from expert service providers and law enforcement. I have been a part of success stories where people are safely recovered and rehabilitated but I have also encountered situations in which they are lost forever.

 

Every day, I think about that crucial point of contact when predators are able to win over the minds and hearts of people from all walks of life. What do they promise that is so attractive? Folks aren't blindly throwing their lives away. They are being deceived. The promise comes packaged in various ways but at its core it is usually the same. These targeted individuals are often lacking the fulfillment of basic needs like safety, security, acceptance, respect, financial support, or a sense of purpose—what I call "hope for a future" and this is exactly what predators are false-promising. 

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That’s why it’s essential to provide folks with resources that nurture their potential and their ability to define themselves. Individuals who know who they are, where they’re going, and have support to get there are less likely to fall prey to exploitation.

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While federal and state efforts are in place, it’s local organizations that are closest to our communities—and yet they often lack the funding to effectively meet these needs.

 

Now, I'm not saying I'm certain to save the world but I founded the Definition Writing Clinic (DWC) as a way to expand my outreach and impact with what I do best - writing. DWC is growing by offering virtual writing and career development services that foster identity development, self-confidence, leadership, and academic/professional excellence. We also focus on educating our clients about how to navigate the job market, how to protect their rights as workers, and how to avoid prevalent job scams and security threats. Though we specialize in serving youth and young adults ages 16-25, our clients are from all backgrounds and they all deserve to attain success.

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We value partnerships that champion tangible support, transparency, and trauma-informed care. Although we are not a non-profit,  a substantial amount of our profits go back into the community—providing direct assistance to folks via scholarships and other forms of philanthropy to service providers with boots on the ground.

 

When our clients invest in themselves through the use of our services, they are helping to protect and empower the next generation.

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Full of hope for the future,

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Diamond Jordan Schlesinger

Founder of Definition Writing Clinic​​​