"I was 23 when everything changed...

 

What started as a seemingly innocent night out with a friend became a nightmare that would consume my life. We met two men who showed genuine interest in us and offered to help me advance my business. Instead, I was drugged and put on a bus to a faraway city. I realized it was all a trick when I woke up in Cape Town and was picked up by a different man. I was sold into a world of forced prostitution and beaten if I didn't comply.

 

Each moment was a fight for survival. The trafficker controlled every aspect of my existence and required that I pay back my travel expenses. What I earned every night went directly to the trafficker. My body had become someone else's source of profit.

 

After suffering severe wounds to my head, I convinced the trafficker to take me to a clinic. He dropped me off with three others who were supposed to “watch me.” Thankfully, the doctor noticed something was off. He picked up on the red flags, saw my desperation, and inquired about my situation.

 

I knew it was my only chance for hope.

 

The doctor called the National Human Trafficking Hotline, and they identified me as a victim of human trafficking. The hotline arranged for the police to pick me up so I could be taken to safe housing, where A21 provided warm clothes and hygiene essentials—small things that helped me begin to feel human again.

 

The moment I entered A21's Aftercare program was the first time I felt safe in months. They prioritized my physical and mental health. Through counseling and support, I began to understand that what happened to me was not my fault. I took several Life Programs, learning about sexual health, job readiness, and essential life skills. Each session was a step towards rebuilding my confidence and independence.

 

Today, I’m back home and have reconnected with my family and friends. I am proof that the awareness of others paired with the right support can bring hope to a desperate situation.

 

​

 

Adeya’s story, originally shared by A21, highlights the importance of awareness and frontline intervention in identifying and rescuing victims. We are proud to support A21’s mission through initiatives such as the Walk for Freedom and local awareness campaigns in Shasta and Tehama counties.

 

Story shared with permission from A21. For more information on their global efforts, visit A21’s website.