One day, after a huge fight with her mom, sixteen year old “Kate” decided to run away. She ended up far away from the stress at home, but when she found another place to stay she realized it was far more dangerous than what she had left.
Kate was trafficked, forced to exchange her body for shelter and food over and over again. After a month she finally was able to leave her traffickers, and shortly afterward she heard about Second Story’s for Teens in Crisis.
Kate found safety and counseling at the center. Once she left, she moved into a residential home for girls who have been sexually exploited. She shared just how grateful she was to Second Story for being the first step on her path to healing, and how eager she is to take care of herself and restore her relationship with her mom.
According to a recent study from the University of Pennsylvania and Loyola University New Orleans, 1 in 5 homeless youth in the U.S. are victims of human trafficking.
