Survivor Speak

Survivor Story: Four Children and a 16-Year Relationship

Blog Post — May 3, 2015

With four children between them and a 16-year relationship, Mari couldn’t imagine leaving Darrell. She didn’t see any viable options, even though he was physically abusive and forced her into commercial sex when money was tight.

Survivor Story: Boyfriend Turned Trafficker

Blog Post — April 14, 2015

Sarah met a kind and generous older guy after running away from a broken home. But once she moved in with this new boyfriend, he forced her into commercial sex to pay his rent.

Survivor Story: From Foster Care to Sex Trafficking

Blog Post — March 17, 2015

After running away from her foster family at 14, Keisha met an older man who offered to help her find her biological family. Then he forced her into commercial sex to repay him.

Survivor Story: Forced at Gunpoint

Blog Post — February 23, 2015

Brittany met a man at her local mall who offered her a job at his restaurant. Instead of working as a waitress, Brittany was forced to sell sex in a hotel room.

Survivor Story: Genocide Survivor to Labor Trafficking Victim

Blog Post — January 31, 2015

Upon coming to the United States with a wealthy family, Sabine was imprisoned in their home; unable to leave, she was made to work around the clock.

Survivor Story: Tricked by a Man She Trusted

Blog Post — January 5, 2015

Gabriella worked at a grocery store in Colombia. After moving to the United States in search of a better job, she was forced into prostitution by a person she trusted.

Survivor Story: He Dreamed of Working in the United States

Blog Post — November 8, 2014

Cristopher was thrilled to be fulfilling his lifelong dream to work in the United States, and he paid his labor recruiter nearly $5,000 for the opportunity.

Survivor Story: Samantha Shares Her Story

Blog Post — September 4, 2013

Our National Human Trafficking Hotline referred Samantha to our Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area Client Services. She shared her story at the launch of the Global Human Trafficking Hotline Network.

Survivor Story: Letter to President Obama

Blog Post — September 26, 2012

Iris is a client at our Polaris New Jersey office. After President Obama spoke about human trafficking at the Clinton Global Initiative a number of our clients wrote him. Shared with permission.

Survivor Story: On the Road to College

Blog Post — March 26, 2012

Claudia was a young woman from Latin America. She was picked up by local law enforcement who referred her to Polaris’s Client Services program.

Need help? Polaris operates the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline.