Before being rescued and brought to the WellHouse, Emma says, “I was constantly running, running from danger, running from responsibility, reality, running from the police and most of all running from GOD. I was broken.”
“I now know I have a value that no dollar amount is associated with. I know that I am loved perfectly, unconditionally, and forgiven.”
Hannah came from a seemingly "normal" family. Her grandfather was a preacher, and her name was inspired by a Biblical figure, but things were not what they seemed. Growing up, she dealt with ongoing sexual harassment and "culture grooming." Hannah became a mom at age 16. After high school, she had little options to support herself and turned to night club dancing. This is where her trafficking story begins.
Reagan 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.
Eva moved from Russia to the United States in the hopes of having a better life. However, finding a job in a new country was much harder than she had anticipated. She was scouring newspapers for any open position when she noticed an advertisement for a job as an “escort.”
When she was 16 years old, Brianna decided to run away from home with an older girl she had become friends with. Being a vulnerable child, she fell into the arms of a trafficker. She faced constant beatings and and was forced to have sex multiple times a day. If she did not obey her trafficker, her abuse would be worse. This is Brianna’s Story.
Victoria was sexually and mentally abused from a young age. Her mother was a drug addict and her father frequently beat her. She was only 12-years-old when she met 28-year-old John. John offered Victoria safety, love, and protection, something her parents never gave her. She trusted him without a second thought, and left home with him.
“You all make a difference. Never forget that,” said WellHouse Graduate Hazel. Hazel left The WellHouse over three years ago, and she is doing extraordinarily well.
Reilly’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.
Blair was a cheerleader. She made honor roll. On the outside, Blair seemed perfect. But it all took a downward turn. One night, Blair needed a ride home and called him. Instead of coming to get her, his “friend” picked her up.
When 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.
Amy's story began when she was 14 years old. Amy went to the drug supplier's house, where she was then held captive for seven months. She was sex-trafficked during her captivity. By a highly organized criminal organization from Mexico.
Ella was trafficked from age 4 to 17. “Like every day,” Ella told me. Her father was her trafficker. In Alabama and across the United States, children are trafficked every day by their parents.
Nadene’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.”
Susan has a fabulously positive attitude even with all the suffering she has experienced. Like so many of our rescued ladies, Susan suffered abuse and neglect as a child: her mother used drugs and her stepfather beat both Susan and her mom…
This precious young lady has repeatedly expressed pain due to her mother’s drug overdose and death. Being without family, she spiraled out of control and sought love and care from the wrong people.
Karen became involved in the world of human sex trafficking and drug use while in college. Her friends turned out to not be her friends after all, but, people who were willing to use her to achieve their selfish desires.
When one’s earliest memories center on ritualistic satanic abuse at the hands of those who should protect the most, your mother in particular, it can take a lifetime to overcome.