The truth about trafficking and exploitation is that it rarely involves abductions and white vans, but rather trusted individuals preying upon the vulnerabilities of others. In Deborah’s case, those trusted individuals were family members who took advantage of her adolescence. She was labor trafficked as a child and then sex trafficked as a teenager, all the while continuing to go to school and live, what could have appeared to be, a ‘normal’ life.
“There were times I became so broken, I thought I would have to drop out of school and go fully into the underground world. I believed the lie that it was all I could do, all I would be good for was sex.”
A teacher took notice of Deborah and became a pivotal part in her graduating and acceptance into college. Deborah hoped college would be different but found that her trauma left her with PTSD and continuous nightmares. She also realized that she had no idea how to engage in real relationships with others.
“The learning curve was steep, and what I was learning in the classroom felt like a breeze compared to relearning how to be human.”
We understand that healing is rarely linear. It takes opportunity, community support, and courage to press into the pain.
“Without the help of One Purse, I would have had to put off my educational and career goals. With the help of One Purse, I’m able to go to school and continue growing in economic stability.”
Since 2022, One Purse has had the honor and privilege to assist Deborah in obtaining her Master’s Degree in Public Health with a yearly Restore Her Dream Fund scholarship towards her tuition. Her dream is to “create a program, curriculum, and community for survivors of human trafficking to find health and wellness so they can reach their dreams.” In conjunction with her pursuit in higher education, Deborah has founded an organization that is already incorporating these goals by “equipping people to find their healthy lifestyle through wellness coaching and fitness instruction for the body, mind, and soul.”
“Along my journey I’ve found there is more to healing than getting out and getting therapy. I discovered public health as an incredible approach to addressing human trafficking and One Purse is making it possible for me to..help more survivors thrive.”
*Name and photo have been changed to protect anonymity