Human Trafficking Victim Receives Diploma

Almost two years ago she was living in the streets, a victim of human trafficking. Today she received her diploma. It’s a story of success not only for the young girl but also for an organization called Mollie’s House in Fresno, a place that helps young victims of human trafficking.

It’s an achievement a 17 year old didn’t think possible when she felt she was in a dark path lost and confused, but today she’s excited for a bright future ahead.

Among 130 graduates receiving a diploma after completing independent studies is a 17 year old girl with a unique story of pain and suffering. "I never thought in a million years I would be graduating, let alone going to college."

That’s because at age 16 she became a victim of human trafficking. She’s chosen to remain anonymous but wanted to tell her story, one that begins with meeting a man at a party who treated her like a queen until "He put me on Redbook and I had to flip tricks every day sleeping with strangers for money."

The man turned out to be a pimp who would force her to have sex with at least 20 men a day. Without a supportive family, she felt obligated and feared for her life.

"It was very horrible, I felt like I was a walking dead person. I didn’t have a soul, I didn’t have an identity. I didn’t know who I was because I was a different name every day."

For months which to her felt like years, she was pimped in Sacramento, San Francisco and Las Vegas. It was there she was caught by police and taken into custody.

"I told my lawyer what was happening, she told me and identified human trafficking I had no idea what that was."

Back in Sacramento she was told about Mollie’s House in Fresno, a home for young teens who are victims of human trafficking. She got counseling and independent studies until she accumulated all the credits to receive a diploma.

"It felt unreal, I felt whole and blessed and if it wasn’t for God I wouldn’t be there because there’s a purpose for me."

She now has a job, will move into her own place and hopes to major in business when she attends college.