Becky's Story
By Hailey Anderton
By Hailey Anderton
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19 years old. That's when Becky told me she started “tricking for dope,” or prostituting herself to feed her addiction to crack cocaine. She was three years younger than I am now. Now sitting on the couch in front of me at 34 years old, Becky recounts the details of her past, her demeanor unapologetic and unashamed.
Becky grew up in Gainesville. She never knew her father, and she felt neglected by her mother throughout her childhood. As a child, Becky told me she was molested by a close family member, joining the staggering 85% of women involved in prostitution report a history of sexual abuse in childhood. Becky has been in and out of the jail system since she was 12 years old, and by 16, she was addicted to powder cocaine. She described herself as promiscuous in her teenage years. “My relationships were based on how much attention the person gave me, because I had no male attention whatsoever growing up," she said. |
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Kay's Story
Kay* lived many years working as an exotic dancer, addicted to drugs, and trying just to make it. Today, she is involved in Created Care and is passionately seeking God's grace and shining face, discovering a new life for herself, filled with love, compassion, and serving others!
Through Created's housing sponsorship, Kay and her 4 year old daughter are living in a transitional home for women, where she is surrounded by a supportive community. She also has the opportunity to attend support groups, get more involved with her church, and participate in the various aspects of Created Care to draw closer to the Lord and gain new skills and restorative care.
"The Created ministry has given me the opportunity to renew my faith in humanity by providing a dedicated community of awesome women who love Christ as much as I do! I look forward to growing God's kingdom by ministering to women like me and help break the chains of addiction and abuse in their families."
Through Created's housing sponsorship, Kay and her 4 year old daughter are living in a transitional home for women, where she is surrounded by a supportive community. She also has the opportunity to attend support groups, get more involved with her church, and participate in the various aspects of Created Care to draw closer to the Lord and gain new skills and restorative care.
"The Created ministry has given me the opportunity to renew my faith in humanity by providing a dedicated community of awesome women who love Christ as much as I do! I look forward to growing God's kingdom by ministering to women like me and help break the chains of addiction and abuse in their families."
Paige's Story
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Paige* was a teenage girl who was raised by a great family in Ocala. She was a straight-A student, participated in sports, had many friends and eventually got into the university of her dreams. When she was 18, her friend got her a job at a country club and she was very happy with her new sense of independence. It wasn't long until her boss and various golfers would make very sexual comments to her. She felt uncomfortable, but her friend told her it was harmless.
The harassment did not stop at just words, as she was raped during a shift. Paige did everything she could to minimize the pain and stay in denial. But after that night, she continually got raped by her boss, his friends and other golfers. If it weren't for a therapist who cared for Paige so deeply, Paige would have been sold on Super Bowl Sunday. Her therapist got her out of town before the Super Bowl, and Paige began her long journey of healing. "I was fragile, broken and traumatized. I didn't know who I was anymore. I began to starve myself and over exercised. I wanted to die. I know I wouldn't have made it out of the cycle of depression and self-hatred if it weren't for my therapist, family, friends and pastor leading me to a relationship with God. I was able to get therapy and attend a residential treatment center for help. I now have so much hope and feel grateful for a second chance at the life God gave me. I have had to overcome a lot of shame and self-blame to finally accept I had been trafficked, even though my story doesn't fit what many would consider sex trafficking. What I want you to hear from my story is that anyone can get trafficked. They can come from a good family with money and be educated. By continuing to stereotype and group sex trafficking into one group, we are creating more harm, shame and isolation to the girls who have a different story. I know personally how damaging that can be. We must keep an open mind and realize victims will come from all walks of life. Each survivor is just as valuable and worthy as the other, which is why I am committed to finish college and become a therapist who can help bring real healing, restoration and love to survivors." |