“Growing up with my two brothers, we were raised by our grandparents, living in Kentucky and Florida. We had a very happy childhood and we were always well-provided for by our loving and kind grandparents. Some might think it’s strange that a happy, loved, little girl would grow up to be an addict and a prostitute, but that is exactly what happened to me.”
Read MoreReagan grew up in a loving, supportive, and safe family. She enjoyed school, made good grades, had great friends, and played almost every sport. Her childhood was a happy one. Reagan’s trafficking experience began after she decided to stop at a local gas station after school to refill her car. As she pulled up, she saw that a group of men were standing around the gas pumps.
Read MoreSex tourism is when people travel to engage in sexual activity, specifically with a prostitute. What these tourists do not realize, is that these “prostitutes” are more often than not, victims of human trafficking.
Read MoreThe WellHouse will build a residential care facility for minor victims of sex trafficking on its campus. The Housing Affordability Trust awarded The WellHouse full funding for the construction of this new home, which will be one of only 40 known programs for trafficked minors in the nation, and the first in Alabama.
Read MoreReilly’s life took a turn for the worst when her nine year marriage ended. Shut out from her family and losing custody of her children, she was grasping for some sort of stability. While staying temporarily at hotels, she met a man who invited her to come to another state with him to meet a “friend.” Naive about trafficking, she went.
Read MoreWhen she was 8, Mia was molested. Her father was in prison, not around much at all. Her mother was addicted to drugs for much of her childhood. “When I was 10, she’d leave me for three days at home by myself,” Mia said.
Read MoreNadene’s earliest memories are as a young child getting beaten and her mother calling her a “whore.” Her mother would tell her, “I never wanted you.” Her rejection began as a small child by those who were meant to care for her and protect her. Heartbreakingly, when Nadene came to The WellHouse, she said, “I don’t know if I ever felt love.”
Read MoreI’ve heard many people say that prostitution isn’t a “career” choice. What I’ve come to learn is that prostitution is not a career at all. For most survivors, prostitution is seldom a choice. And even when it is, there is a history of sexual abuse, sexual brokenness, and complex trauma that leads the person to make that unfortunate choice.
Read MoreIn the past three months, 8 survivors have been rescued through The WellHouse. Our staff was also involved in a sting operation in Atlanta during Super Bowl activities in which 18 victims were freed—9 of which were children.
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