Chosen: Stephanie’s Story

Editor’s note – This post covers material that is not your happy, good news type of stuff that you usually read on the Update. Stephanie’s story is disturbing, and it illustrates why this upcoming community education event on June 24th at SJCT is so important. More on that at the end of the post…

Stephanie’s Story

On my 13^th birthday I was invited to a party where a handsome older boy took an interest in me. After that, he seemed to turn up everywhere I went. I was convinced this was fate, and soon we began a relationship.

My mother worked day and night to support our family while my father was in Iraq. I had little supervision. This charming, older boy said he loved me and wanted to marry me; he bought me nice things and took me to nice places. However, in just a few months he demanded that I dance in a strip club. He was in a financial jam and needed my help.

It was degrading, but I did it “for us.” Then he demanded I sell myself for sex. I refused, but he threw me out of the house on a bitterly cold night, telling me to make money or freeze. After a few hours of misery, I finally climbed into a car…

So began endless nights of selling myself to make the money my trafficker demanded. I descended into depression. I drank and took drugs to dull the pain. By 15, all I wanted to do was die. Police picked me up, recognized me as a reported missing child, took me home – but fearing what he would do if I didn’t return, I ran back to my trafficker. Later I was arrested; as I was being put in the police car, I watched the buyer leave in his truck. I remember being so angry – how wrong! I am being arrested and he is driving away! I refused to talk and again was sent home on probation – where my trafficker came to get me, brutally assaulting me in front of my own house.

While I was hospitalized, my probation officer asked Linda Smith of Shared Hope to find a safe place where professionals had the skills to address my many needs. The closest such place was 3,000 miles away.

Sadly my story of seduction and exploitation is not unique. I saw victims as young as 10, and some much older, trapped since they were my age.

But the story of my restoration is unique. Shelters and services to address the needs of child sex-trafficking victims are scarce.

My journey has made me strong enough to be a voice for others. My faith in God and His way of making beauty from ashes has emboldened me to speak on their behalf. Funding for organizations like the ones that helped me is vital. The journey from victim to survivor and advocate – the journey I was able to take – depends on it.

* * *

On Wednesday, June 24, Shared Hope International will present the first screening of a new sex trafficking film on San Juan Island – Chosen. The San Juan Community Theatre will open its door to students, parents, and concerned community members to help spread awareness of an often hidden crime happening at alarming rates to U.S. children: sex trafficking.

Between 100,000 to 300,000 children each year are victimized in prostitution in America. Regardless of skin color, home life, social and economic status, ANY child can become a victim of domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST.) These children are not imported from other countries; they come primarily from Small Town USA – towns like Friday Harbor and East Sound. Sex traffickers target small towns because people are more friendly, more trusting, and have little knowledge of how children are lured into the trade.

The gripping film tells the shocking true story of two All-American girls who, through deceptive, manipulative relationships, were tricked into trafficking. Brianna and Lacy explain how pimps targeted them in their seemingly secure Southwest Washington small-town neighborhoods and how they were rescued. They were vulnerable simply because they didn’t know about trafficking.

A survivor of DMST will share her story, and a panel discussion will follow the 20-minute documentary.

Admission is free.

This event will equip our community with information to protect our children. Education is a defense; learn how to protect friends and children by recognizing trafficker’s tactics and what to do about it.

Shared Hope International, founded by former Washington Congressman Linda Smith, was established in 1998 to prevent, rescue and restore, and bring justice to women and children in crisis. They provide leadership in awareness, training, prevention strategies, restorative care, research, and policy initiatives.

Support for this program is provided by San Juan Community Theatre and Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor.

For more information about Shared Hope International, go to www.sharedhope.org. For more information about this event, contact [email protected].

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