The Unseen: Jerome Elam on Breaking the Silence Around Boys, Trauma, and Trafficking (Part 2)

What happens when the victims no one talks about begin to speak?

In Part 2 of this raw and revealing conversation on Shobukai Shift, Mary Schaub continues her dialogue with Jerome Elam—President and CEO of the Trafficking in America Task Force, U.S. Marine veteran, and child trafficking survivor. This episode turns toward the often-ignored experiences of boys who are trafficked, and the profound silence they’re forced to endure. Jerome opens up about the toxic myths surrounding masculinity, the societal blind spots that fail boys and men, and how easy access to online exploitation and misinformation is creating a generation disconnected from real connection, love, and healing.  

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of child sexual abuse, trafficking, suicide, and trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Boys are trafficked too—and they’re often uncounted, unseen, and silenced
• Male survivors face unique stigma, which delays healing and increases risk of suicide, addiction, and isolation
• Pornography and social media are distorting relationships and rewiring expectations for intimacy—especially in young men
• Every act of kindness can become a lifeline. Vulnerability is a bridge
• Advocacy is healing. When survivors speak, they reclaim what was taken

🎤 Compelling Quotes:

“This isn’t a gender issue. It’s a human issue.” – Jerome Elam

“Many male survivors never even realize they were trafficked—until they hear someone else’s story.” – Jerome Elam

“When you reclaim your story, it stops being the thing that breaks you—and becomes the thing that fuels you.” – Mary Schaub

“The most beautiful sound? A survivor breaking their silence after years of silence.” – Jerome Elam

“What happened to me will always be part of me—but it no longer defines me.” – Jerome Elam

🔍 Keywords for SEO & Podcast Platforms:

Male trafficking survivor, boys and human trafficking, male sexual abuse, child exploitation, human trafficking awareness, trauma-informed podcast, trauma recovery, trauma therapy, pornography addiction, mental health for men, survivor stories, healing masculinity, Shobukai Shift, Mary Schaub, healthy relationship education, social media and trauma, suicide prevention

#ShobukaiShift #JeromeElam #MaleSurvivorsMatter #TraumaInformedLeadership #HumanTraffickingAwareness #SurvivorAdvocate #BreakingTheSilence #BoySurvivors #VulnerabilityIsStrength #TraumaHealing #PodcastOnTrauma 

🔗Links 

• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678
• Trafficking in America Task Force
• Clown and the Candyman documentary
• Safe Harbor Laws 

Disclaimer:

***The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.***

Credits: Written, produced and hosted by: Mary Schaub. Theme song written by: Mary Schaub. Mixing Engineer: Dylan Yauch

Contact: Tell us how your transformation is going. Email us at [e-mail] or leave us a voicemail at ‪[phone]‬ and we may play it on a future episode.

Website: M. Schaub Advisory (MSA)

** Shobukai Shift is a MSA Production **