“When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a reporter when I grew up. I loved roller skating with friends and playing in my neighborhood until the streetlights came on. I never dreamed of becoming a drug dealer, addict, or prostitute, but I became all three. At age 13, I began drinking and smoking marijuana after my parents divorced. It was a terrible custody battle, and the loss of my family dynamic left me heartbroken and rebellious.
Soon I would be introduced to hard drugs and I was using meth by 15. Methamphetamine took my life by storm, and I would fight to get sober for the next 20 years. I was lured into sex trafficking when I was 18 after meeting a man that, at the time, I had no idea was a pimp. He lured me into the lifestyle, and I was too naive to understand what having a pimp really meant. After pleading for my life and my freedom, I was set free only after being beaten and scared to death.
The damage that trafficking caused to my self-esteem and image were life-altering. I believed I would never be anything more than a drug-addicted prostitute after going through that. I had given up on having a real life or any hope of sobriety. But God had other plans for my life! A few events led to my rescue that led me safely to an Atlas Free local partner.
I have been here safe and sober for 11 months now, and I am set to graduate soon. My new home provided much-needed trauma therapy and substance abuse counseling that I know have given me the tools I need to succeed in the future. I have a job I love and I am looking forward to moving into the apartments once I complete the program. I have seen the love of God in this place, and I call myself blessed to have found freedom!”
- Bella*, survivor
It is through the services of our local partners and the resilience and inner strength of survivors that they go on to live empowered lives in freedom after they heal from the incredible trauma they have experienced.
This life-changing work doesn’t happen without Team Freedom. Team Freedom is a group of monthly givers on a mission to put sexual exploitation out of business. This unstoppable group is made up of people like you from around the world who give what they can to make a real difference in the lives of women and children all around the world.
You can choose to join Team Freedom at any giving level. Whether it's $5, $50, or $150 a month, all it takes to join the team is giving monthly.
For as little as $25 a month your gift will:
Change lives today by Joining Team Freedom
