Survivors’ Stories
Story 208-5
About six years ago, in 2017, I found myself ensnared in the devastating world of sex trafficking. It all began when I met and started dating a man who, at first, seemed like a dream. However, things took a dark turn in December of that year when he put a gun to my head and forced me to travel to Las Vegas to sell my body. Terrified and feeling trapped, I was arrested while in Vegas but couldn’t bring myself to tell the authorities what was really happening because he constantly threatened my life. After being released, he promised that I would no longer have to sell my body. Unfortunately, that was just another lie, and the abuse only grew worse over time.
In April 2020, I made my first attempt to escape, but he found me and began tracking my every move. His grip on me was suffocating, and the mental, physical, and emotional abuse completely shattered my sense of self-worth. It wasn’t until September 20, 2022, when a friend of mine helped me flee while he was distracted by a new girl, that I was finally able to break free from his control.
The trauma I endured left me isolated. I lost everything—my friends, my family, my home, my car, and all sense of security. But thanks to RESTORATION DIVERSION SERVICES (RDS), I have been able to rebuild my life. With their help, support, and resources, I am now standing on firmer ground. I have found a job, and I am blessed to have a beautiful baby girl who brings light into my life. RDS has given me the tools and support to begin healing and reclaim my future.
In April 2020, I made my first attempt to escape, but he found me and began tracking my every move. His grip on me was suffocating, and the mental, physical, and emotional abuse completely shattered my sense of self-worth. It wasn’t until September 20, 2022, when a friend of mine helped me flee while he was distracted by a new girl, that I was finally able to break free from his control.
The trauma I endured left me isolated. I lost everything—my friends, my family, my home, my car, and all sense of security. But thanks to RESTORATION DIVERSION SERVICES (RDS), I have been able to rebuild my life. With their help, support, and resources, I am now standing on firmer ground. I have found a job, and I am blessed to have a beautiful baby girl who brings light into my life. RDS has given me the tools and support to begin healing and reclaim my future.
Story 208-3
I never imagined my life would lead me into the world of human trafficking. Yet, the circumstances I faced, the influences surrounding me, and the pressure I felt all pushed me in that direction. When I was younger, I found myself in desperate need of money, and I didn’t understand the weight of what I was stepping into. I was completely unaware that I was being used for profit by people who claimed to care for me.
I started very young, and before I even realized it, this life became my reality—a lifestyle I never intended to live. The allure of fast, easy money was impossible to resist when I felt like I had no other options. It seemed like a quick fix for the struggles I was facing, and I became accustomed to the rhythm of it all.
At first, I didn’t even see the money I earned. Being so young and naive, those around me exploited my vulnerability and took control of what I worked for. I was left with nothing but a sense of being used and abandoned. Over time, I started to piece things together. I became a little smarter and more aware of the world I was trapped in. That awareness, however, came with a painful realization—I was completely alone.
This feeling of loneliness wasn’t unfamiliar. Having grown up in the system, I was used to being on my own. But the longer I stayed in this lifestyle, the darker it became. Chaos, danger, and instability surrounded me daily, and the effects on my mental health were devastating. I often felt like my mind was unraveling, weighed down by the emotional and physical toll this life brought.
For a long time, it felt like I had no choice—like this was the only way I could survive. Without any support or guidance, I quickly learned that life was incredibly hard. It was a constant battle to stay afloat. Eventually, though, I reached a breaking point. I decided I had to stop letting people take advantage of me and my earnings. I knew I needed to protect myself because no one else would. People had already taken so much from me—my trust, my time, my sense of worth. I couldn’t let it continue.
Now, I’m focused on completely turning my life around. My goal is to build a stable, independent future. I want to learn new ways to support myself—ways that don’t involve selling my body. Unfortunately, I’ve encountered many barriers along the way. My mother, for example, refuses to give me my birth certificate or Social Security card. She claims they’re hers to keep and that I need to figure out how to get my own. But I’ve never been taught how to navigate these systems, leaving me feeling stuck and frustrated.
Despite these challenges, I’m determined to push forward. I want to go to school, become educated, and work toward building a career. My dream is to get a stable job, save up for an apartment and a car, and finally have a place to call my own. I also know I need to work on my mental health. A therapist could help me untangle the pain and trauma I’ve carried for so long.
One day, while walking down Long Beach Boulevard, I met Ms. Brown. She stopped me and told me about RDS, a program that could help me. I didn’t know what to expect at first, but her words gave me a glimmer of hope. She explained the services they offer and reassured me that I could turn to them whenever I needed support.
True to their word, RDS has been there for me during some of my hardest moments. When I was hurt, they took me to the clinic to make sure I was okay. They also helped me start planning my next steps, including getting back into school. They’ve been a consistent source of encouragement and kindness, and their support has meant more to me than I can express.
The team at RDS has given me something I hadn’t felt in years—hope. They’ve shown me that change is possible, even when it feels like the odds are stacked against me. With their help, I’m ready to take the steps necessary to rebuild my life, step by step, toward the future I’ve always dreamed of.
I started very young, and before I even realized it, this life became my reality—a lifestyle I never intended to live. The allure of fast, easy money was impossible to resist when I felt like I had no other options. It seemed like a quick fix for the struggles I was facing, and I became accustomed to the rhythm of it all.
At first, I didn’t even see the money I earned. Being so young and naive, those around me exploited my vulnerability and took control of what I worked for. I was left with nothing but a sense of being used and abandoned. Over time, I started to piece things together. I became a little smarter and more aware of the world I was trapped in. That awareness, however, came with a painful realization—I was completely alone.
This feeling of loneliness wasn’t unfamiliar. Having grown up in the system, I was used to being on my own. But the longer I stayed in this lifestyle, the darker it became. Chaos, danger, and instability surrounded me daily, and the effects on my mental health were devastating. I often felt like my mind was unraveling, weighed down by the emotional and physical toll this life brought.
For a long time, it felt like I had no choice—like this was the only way I could survive. Without any support or guidance, I quickly learned that life was incredibly hard. It was a constant battle to stay afloat. Eventually, though, I reached a breaking point. I decided I had to stop letting people take advantage of me and my earnings. I knew I needed to protect myself because no one else would. People had already taken so much from me—my trust, my time, my sense of worth. I couldn’t let it continue.
Now, I’m focused on completely turning my life around. My goal is to build a stable, independent future. I want to learn new ways to support myself—ways that don’t involve selling my body. Unfortunately, I’ve encountered many barriers along the way. My mother, for example, refuses to give me my birth certificate or Social Security card. She claims they’re hers to keep and that I need to figure out how to get my own. But I’ve never been taught how to navigate these systems, leaving me feeling stuck and frustrated.
Despite these challenges, I’m determined to push forward. I want to go to school, become educated, and work toward building a career. My dream is to get a stable job, save up for an apartment and a car, and finally have a place to call my own. I also know I need to work on my mental health. A therapist could help me untangle the pain and trauma I’ve carried for so long.
One day, while walking down Long Beach Boulevard, I met Ms. Brown. She stopped me and told me about RDS, a program that could help me. I didn’t know what to expect at first, but her words gave me a glimmer of hope. She explained the services they offer and reassured me that I could turn to them whenever I needed support.
True to their word, RDS has been there for me during some of my hardest moments. When I was hurt, they took me to the clinic to make sure I was okay. They also helped me start planning my next steps, including getting back into school. They’ve been a consistent source of encouragement and kindness, and their support has meant more to me than I can express.
The team at RDS has given me something I hadn’t felt in years—hope. They’ve shown me that change is possible, even when it feels like the odds are stacked against me. With their help, I’m ready to take the steps necessary to rebuild my life, step by step, toward the future I’ve always dreamed of.
Story 208-4
My story began in December 2016, during a dark period in my life. After witnessing the murder of my first love, I found myself introduced to the world of prostitution. Seeking escape, I moved to Las Vegas, where I started associating with the wrong crowd—people who always had money and new things but no visible means of work.
It all started when my aunt’s stepdaughter asked me to pack a bag and come with her. I agreed, not knowing the journey ahead. She introduced me to my first pimp, who immediately put me to work on the blade. Six months later, I discovered I was pregnant with my first child. After giving birth, I made the difficult decision to grant temporary custody to my grandmother to try and get back on my feet.
However, life didn’t go as planned. I returned to Las Vegas and eventually fell back into prostitution, this time with another man. During this period, I had two more children. Unfortunately, their father struggled with addiction, and I knew I had to leave for the sake of my kids.
I moved back to Los Angeles to live with my grandfather, but after six and a half months, we had a falling out about my children, which resulted in him kicking us out. Homeless and vulnerable, I met another man who seemed to want a relationship but turned out to be a manipulative pimp. He put me on the blade on Figueroa Street.
The turning point came when he walked out on us. At that moment, I realized it was time to escape, not just for myself but for the sake of my children. I left that life behind and have never looked back.
Today, I am blessed, happy, and safe, thanks to the unwavering support and guidance of Ms. Handy and Ms. Brown at RESTORATION DIVERSION SERVICES. They helped me reclaim my life, and for that, I am forever grateful.
It all started when my aunt’s stepdaughter asked me to pack a bag and come with her. I agreed, not knowing the journey ahead. She introduced me to my first pimp, who immediately put me to work on the blade. Six months later, I discovered I was pregnant with my first child. After giving birth, I made the difficult decision to grant temporary custody to my grandmother to try and get back on my feet.
However, life didn’t go as planned. I returned to Las Vegas and eventually fell back into prostitution, this time with another man. During this period, I had two more children. Unfortunately, their father struggled with addiction, and I knew I had to leave for the sake of my kids.
I moved back to Los Angeles to live with my grandfather, but after six and a half months, we had a falling out about my children, which resulted in him kicking us out. Homeless and vulnerable, I met another man who seemed to want a relationship but turned out to be a manipulative pimp. He put me on the blade on Figueroa Street.
The turning point came when he walked out on us. At that moment, I realized it was time to escape, not just for myself but for the sake of my children. I left that life behind and have never looked back.
Today, I am blessed, happy, and safe, thanks to the unwavering support and guidance of Ms. Handy and Ms. Brown at RESTORATION DIVERSION SERVICES. They helped me reclaim my life, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Story 208-1
I’m 19 years old. I’ve been in “the life” for 12 months, starting on July 3, 2023. It all began when a friend of mine offered to help me make some money. She said she could show me how and invited me to meet her at a hotel room to get ready. She even brought an outfit for me. From there, she took me outside with her, and that’s how I got started.
At first, I went along with it because I didn’t see another way to make money. But as time passed, I began to realize that this life wasn’t what I wanted for myself or my future. It became clear that I needed to make a change.
I have big plans for my future, and leaving the life is the first step. I’m determined to get a legal job and build a better life for myself and my son. My top priority is gaining custody of him and providing him with the stable, loving environment he deserves. To achieve that, I want to get my own apartment so I can start living independently and create a safe space for us.
I’ve been staying with my mom, but it hasn’t been easy. We’ve had some conflicts, especially regarding my younger brother. It’s made me even more determined to establish a life of my own.
I’ve already started applying for jobs and taking steps to turn my life around. RDS has been a tremendous source of support throughout this journey. They’ve helped me find shelter when I needed it most, and their guidance has been invaluable. They’ve provided me with resources and advice that have made a real difference.
With RDS’s help and my determination, I’m ready to create a stable, independent life for myself and my son. I’m committed to making positive changes and moving toward a brighter future.
At first, I went along with it because I didn’t see another way to make money. But as time passed, I began to realize that this life wasn’t what I wanted for myself or my future. It became clear that I needed to make a change.
I have big plans for my future, and leaving the life is the first step. I’m determined to get a legal job and build a better life for myself and my son. My top priority is gaining custody of him and providing him with the stable, loving environment he deserves. To achieve that, I want to get my own apartment so I can start living independently and create a safe space for us.
I’ve been staying with my mom, but it hasn’t been easy. We’ve had some conflicts, especially regarding my younger brother. It’s made me even more determined to establish a life of my own.
I’ve already started applying for jobs and taking steps to turn my life around. RDS has been a tremendous source of support throughout this journey. They’ve helped me find shelter when I needed it most, and their guidance has been invaluable. They’ve provided me with resources and advice that have made a real difference.
With RDS’s help and my determination, I’m ready to create a stable, independent life for myself and my son. I’m committed to making positive changes and moving toward a brighter future.