Human trafficking is slavery. It is using people for their bodies and their labor.
Men, women, and children are being sold and used like objects to be thrown away when they break, as if they were never a person to begin with.
Victims of trafficking often struggle with feelings of guilt and shame, thinking that being abused makes them less of a person, less worthy of love.
The Dressember Foundation recently posted the story of a young female victim called Naseen.
Naseen grew up in India, playing hide and seek, dancing, singing, and attending school. She had to drop out of school after eighth grade when her parents could no longer afford the tuition. Instead, she began working to help support her family.
Her need made her vulnerable, and a trafficker used that vulnerability to convince her to travel hundreds of miles to Mumbai for a chance to act in a Bollywood movie.
When she arrived in Mumbai, she was sold to a brothel.
Forced to sleep with up to 20 men a day. Beaten and tortured if she refused.
This was her life. Her hell. For nearly a year.
Finally, she was rescued by a joint IJM and police operation. But the damage had already been done. She felt dirty and ashamed, unworthy and incapable of recovery.
"I want to forget, but I cannot."
Survivors of human trafficking, like Naseen, are in desperate need of support as they transition from a life of slavery to a life of freedom. Many do not have the support and resources they need to help themselves, emotionally, physically, and legally.
That is where you enter the story.
You can give help directly to girls and boys in need by donating today.
The most immediate gift that you can give a survivor to help them emotionally is an aftercare kit. Aftercare kits provide a survivor with the essentials to make them feel safe, loved, and cared for.
Please contribute to this first step of survivor restoration by giving $20 today.
Visit Dress For Freedom's team advocacy page, Freezing Sisters, to give the gift of freedom, love, and safety today.
