IBA SUCCESS MAGAZINE Issue 3 Vol 3 | Page 21

Florida Abolitionist... Tiffany* is a sweet teenager filled with hope for her future.  However, you would not expect this if you knew what she has been through.   A couple years ago she met a woman who pretended to be her friend. This older woman was extremely kind to Tiffany. She bought her things and acted like a true friend by caring for her, but it was all a pretense to earn Tiffany’s trust. After three short weeks, she introduced Tiffany to a street gang that raped, drugged, and trafficked her. They held her hostage in 2 disgusting homes, keeping her locked in a bathroom when she was not being abused. In her captivity, they took pictures of her and posted them on websites to sexually exploit her.   For two weeks, Tiffany was raped repeatedly by multiple commercial sex customers. Every penny the customers paid went directly to the gang leader who controlled her. Thankfully, law enforcement came to her aid and brought her out of her misery but her recovery was just the beginning of her journey to complete healing and freedom. Florida Abolitionist’s victim services program was there from the start. Immediately, she received a rescue backpack that caused her such joy it brought her to tears. She has received placement in a residential facility to begin to treat her substance addiction and her psychological condition from the trauma she endured. Over time, her wounds are healing. While the journey has not been easy and has been met with setbacks, she is growing and is now doing a lot better.   Law enforcement arrested Tiffany’s traffickers and justice was served. Florida Abolitionist continued to care for Tiffany throughout the grueling court proceedings. Upon learning that she is a huge basketball fan, Florida Abolitionist went to work to grant her with a gift that she would love - a basketball autographed by the Orlando Magic!  She also expressed the interest in reading the Bible but didn’t have one, so she was given one thanks to the generous donation of a local church. These are small gestures, but Florida Abolitionist hopes that they communicate to Tiffany that she has value and is loved. There is nothing like the hope seen in Tiffany’s eyes and the organization is humbled to have played a small part in her restoration. Now Tiffany is safe and growing while her traffickers have been sentenced to multiple years in prison. She has hope for tomorrow. Tiffany’s story is not uncommon. During 2016, Florida Abolitionist assisted 275 victims** of human trafficking. The names and faces are different, but one thing remains: people are being exploited and sold for sex in our communities. Globally, human trafficking is the second largest criminal enterprise behind drug trafficking and is estimated to be a $32 billion industry. Florida Abolitionist is committed to rebuilding the lives of victims and preventing the crime from taking place. As war is waged on human trafficking, we must have an army of abolitionists - people who will stand together to stop modern-day slavery. You can join us by becoming an Abolitionist Partner with your monthly donation. Visit www.FloridaAbolitionist.org/donate today! Don’t stop there! Give of your time. Volunteer with us and change the world! www.FloridaAbolitionist.org/volunteer *Pseudonym used to protect the survivor’s identity **verified and unverified Volume 3 • Issue 3 | 2017 21