The Empowered Caregivers Project would not have been possible without the contributions of the many individuals with lived experience of human trafficking and sexual exploitation who guided, informed, and shaped this work. At least 17 survivors were actively involved in developing this project through leadership roles, consultations, participation in our Survivor Forum event, and other collaborative activities.

We are deeply grateful for their willingness to share their expertise, energy, and experiences, and for their steadfast commitment to the project. Their insights have been central to ensuring that this resource is both practical and survivor-centred.

At Restorations, we recognize the importance of financially compensating survivors for their time, energy, and expertise. Each individual with lived experience who contributed to this project was compensated for their participation. We strongly believe that financial compensation is essential for this work and encourage other organizations who engage survivors in speaking, writing, or consulting roles to do the same. Compensation demonstrates:

• A commitment to honouring and respecting survivors’ time, energy, and expertise;

• An appreciation for the emotional, mental, and physical energy required to share lived experiences for the benefit of others; and

• Support for the economic independence of survivors.

Through this project, we hope not only to provide a meaningful resource for caregivers but also to model a standard of collaboration that is respectful, empowering, and just.