2020-11-08T02:48:38+00:00

Life Blood

November 8, 2020/Jess de la Beauty/Leave a comment

Today the local Trafficking Coalition held a blood drive. So grateful to be a part of a truly life saving event.

I remember the first time I saw someone wearing a t-shirt that said give blood, give life. I wanted to be a part of it. Of course I was still in elementary school and was unable to do it at the time. Then life happened…

During the part of my life when I was being trafficked I gave a lot of blood. But that was just to make sure that I hadn’t contracted an STD. It was shameful. But necessary. And I am grateful that I never did contract anything.

But when I was rescued out of that life, I tried to pursue that lifelong dream to save a life by giving blood.

It crushed me to have to answer yes to the at-risk behaviours of having sex for money, and realising that my past had limited what I could give in the future.

It was yet another thing that had been stolen, along with my virginity. And I would be reminded of it every time I heard about the great gift of life others could give.

Today I followed my curiosity and asked the lady in front of the bus. If I was unable to give because I was a prostitute. She said not if you don’t have HIV.

I learned that as long as it had been over 12 months, it was no longer a disqualification. As long as my blood was clean, I could give.

I think its something about being like Jesus. And how He gave his blood for the world. I want to be like him and give my blood to save. I cried the whole time and for quite some time after.

Just grateful to have the freedom to save a life.

If you can, give blood. Do it for those that can’t.

Sleeping Problems after Trauma

May 29, 2020May 29, 2020/Jess de la Beauty/Leave a comment

For most trafficking survivors, sleep is not an easy or pleasant occurrence. Especially upon first escaping their captors. Nightmares will plague their restless nights for some time. Unfortunately that is the PTSD that comes from that experience.

But there are treatments and medications that may help with this issue. Because if you’re like me, sleeping is something you want to avoid, but there are things that make it better!

Therapy – EMDR

Therapy can help to process the dreams and the trauma. While this can seem to aggregate the issue initially, dreams are also the brain’s way of processing. Most people can sleep through their dreams. However, for those who are lighter sleepers or more hyper vigilant, the dreams can often disrupt the sleep.

As therapy progresses, and the brain continues to process through the trauma, nightmares should begin to subside. Additionally dreams can become the focus of the therapy.

Medications

For me, I have found help sleeping with an anti-depressant that has also been used as a sleep aid called Trazodone. You can ask your psychiatrist about this medication and if it is right for you. Another I have tried unsuccessfully was Prazosin, but have met other that do have success with that drug.

Essential Oils

I have personally found lavender to be extremely soothing and beneficial to me in helping fall asleep and stay asleep.

You can try getting an oil diffuser and setting it up on your nightstand. I love it.

Prayers and Psalms

One thing that ALWAYS helps me get my mind off the intrusive negative thoughts is prayer. Speaking to God like He is my friend, my Good Father, and my Protector.

I like to say the Lord’s Prayer from the Bible.

“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:9-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

My other favorite mantra is Psalm 23

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭23:1-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Our bodies need rest to heal. Find something that works for you! Feel free to share your personal favorites or results in the comments.

Stay Safe. Stay Out. Here’s what it takes.

May 28, 2020May 29, 2020/Jess de la Beauty/1 Comment

In order to stay safe and stay out of the life, some extreme measures need to be taken. It takes dedication, support and resilience. Contact the human trafficking hotline for a list of local resources for assistance. INCLUDING safe place.

Get to a safe place.
Connect with a safe person.
Get rid of phone.
Don’t go back to old places.
Don’t talk to friends in the life.
Find a new legal way to make money, outside of the sex industry, there is government support and non-profits.
Get therapy.

These are the most important things to accomplish straight away in order make a clean successful break from a trafficker. It is imperative to cut off communications with the trafficker, if that means dumping your phone and getting a new one I promise it is worth it to NOT have them talking in your ear trying to get you to come back.

Loved ones of survivors.

Be patient.
Be firm, but understanding.
Get support and be supportive.
Speak truth to the survivor. Tell them they are safe, loved and they will make it through this.
Assist them with finding work. Encourage them when it kills their sense of self-worth.

Human trafficking hotline 1-888-373-7888 or 711.

Text 233733.

Stripping => Trafficking. How it happens.

May 28, 2020May 29, 2020/Jess de la Beauty/Leave a comment

With the focus and acceptability of sexuality our society, stripping is viewed as common. What people don’t know, is that strippers are often being trafficked.

How is that possible you ask?

The short answer – pimps.

Pimps and hoes are not something cool that anyone should aspire to. Pimps are manipulators that control people and take advantage of their actions. The next time you go to the club think twice if that stripper is keeping your money or giving it to her “daddy”

They do not always introduce themselves as pimps, in fact they will often present themselves as a boyfriend, or money manager. This fraudulent representation starts off the relationship while they convince their targets to give up their money. Once this has happened they will establish control in other ways, including taking ids, car, and phone.

They must be getting something of value from the relationship. They think they’re getting guidance, being protected or even loved.
Why do girls get with pimps?

Can a hoe CHOOSE to be a hoe?

In the brainwashed mind of a hoe, she has chosen to be in the life. And depending on the depth of the deception, they may truly believe that it is their choice to be in the situation. TRUTHFULLY, they may have chosen to strip, prostitute, or participate in porn, but that DOES NOT MEAN they CHOSE to be taken advantage of.

What makes a stripper or hoe a trafficking victim?

They have been exploited for labor, services or sex. This includes stripping, porn, and prostitution.

They do not have identification.
They are not allowed to make their own schedule.
They are limited in who they can talk to.
They do not have control over money.
They are expected to perform sexual acts for money.

If you or someone you care about is stripping and seems to be in a questionable “relationship”, they may need help getting out. They may think there is no getting out. They have probably been told they will be there for life.

Report suspected trafficking the the local police as well as to the national human trafficking hotline. It is not SAFE for you to intervene on your own. But they will need your support once they get out.

Check out my other blog post to see steps to stay safe and stay out, for trafficking victims and loved ones.

Just Confident

Faith to build health and gain confidence.

Tag: trafficking