Much like the horrors of war linger well after the last bullet is fired on the battlefield, the trauma of trafficking affects the lives of its victims for many years, if not for the rest of their lives. Thankfully, through groups like Saved in America, victims are given the help they need to increase their chances of living a normal, healthy, and even happy and productive life after they are rescued. However, it’s worth understanding that the experience of trafficking is not one to be taken lightly as it is a traumatic, life-altering experience as exemplified in this Mission Times Courier Top Story. 

Tricked into Running Away

This news story tells the true life events of a trafficking victim who believed she was leaving with a friend for a fun few days away. The victim, Lesley, was only 16 and was not world-wise enough to realize that she was walking into a trap when she agreed to run away with her friend, another 15-year-old girl, and that girl's 40-year-old male friend. When Lesley disappeared, her parents immediately sounded the alarm, knowing that something was wrong. However, because the girl was a foster child who had been adopted with previous issues, and was believed to have run away on her own, law enforcement was unable to do much in the way of tracking her down. Meanwhile, unknown to her parents, Lesley went to Los Angeles, in order to party with her friend. She didn’t think she would be gone long or be in any danger. 

Lesley’s Parents Sought Out Help

Thankfully, Lesley’s parents didn’t give up on their daughter and kept searching for where she might be by doing their own research. Saved in America thankfully found both girls when they rescued them off the streets of Compton as they worked in conjunction with the LA County Sheriff's office. Lesley’s mom recounts that though they were excited that their daughter was rescued, they realized that her fight was just beginning due to the trauma she had experienced. Thankfully, she was able to get treatment from a group that specializes in treating girls who have been traumatized by trafficking. Her residential treatment facility ended up being in Utah, and she stayed for months of rehabilitative therapy before she was able to come back home and rejoin her family.