Shivering, Anna fastens her jacket around herself, hoping to curb the cold, empty darkness coursing through her veins. It's a familiar childhood feeling, an iciness that took years of unconditional love and countless therapy sessions to thaw. I shouldn't be doing this, she thinks, shivering again.
Everyone warned her about what rehashing old memories might do. Her therapist even said it would set her progress back, but Anna knew she had to tell her story despite the personal cost. Years ago, she realized her mission in life was to be the voice for the helpless and to make sure the death of the fallen wasn't in vain. No, I'm going to do this, she thinks.
Crippling memories suddenly come to mind. Anna tries to push them aside, but no matter how hard she tries, they wouldn't go away. It was like all the horrors of her past came back to haunt her. Her legs become spaghetti-like as the visions continue to play in her head. She grabs the small table for support. Her head began to pound, and her stomach churn made her feel like she was about to get sick. I can't throw up now. I can't, she thinks, swallowing the fluid rising in her throat.
Anna then pictures all the innocent children whose lives were lost the day she ran. They made the ultimate sacrifice, so I could be free. She glances at the audience again. I have to do this for them. Taking a deep breath of courage, she begins.
Anna quivers as she presses the remote in her hand. A picture of battered children barely holding on to life brightens the dark auditorium. A collective gasp echoed through the crowd. Anna knows several of the images are disturbing, but she also knows they will get her message across.
"300,000 children are at risk of being trafficked. They include runaways, kids in foster care, juvenile delinquents, and children in unstable homes.
She clicks the remote again. Images of renowned men pop up on the screen. The audience stirs in their seats. "Many are family, friends, people with authority like clergymen, teachers, or coaches. People you know and respect who'd you'd least expect. Children oblivious to this fact have a higher risk of being victimized."
Anna changes the picture to a group of young children. "Some of the girls at our farm were there to pay off their family's financial debt while others were there to support them. A few girls were in exchange for drugs. Some pimps promise the girls a successful modeling career for a few favors."
"Others are approached by what's known as Romeo Pimps. They're the ones who give their victims expensive gifts or woo them with money. Making them believe they are a couple. The pimps take the girls to fancy restaurants and exquisite parties. The targeted victims are more than happy to do a few favors to continue this lavish lifestyle. Before long, they are in too deep. They want out, but their daddy, their pimp, threatens to show their family and friends incriminating footage if they leave. Sometimes the pimp threatens to hurt their family, beat, and rape their younger siblings if they don't fulfill his demands."
"Some sexual predators will get their workers addicted to drugs and then order them to entertain a certain amount of men for their next fix."
"My handler is a gorilla pimp. He cuts to the chase by beating their workers down mentally and physically, then threaten to kill them if they act out.
"Seeing how broken these girls are, I knew any hope of being rescued was up to me. This is why I kept trying despite the anguish. The personal cost."
Anna changes the picture to a girl running down the sidewalk. "My first opportunity to escape came a few months later. Finding the owner preoccupied with the delivery driver, I quietly slipped out the back. I planned to run to the hospital because they're obligated to notify the authorities of any suspected abuse."
Anna glances at the image and then says, "I remember it being a chilly mid-January in 1992. The sun is bright. The sky is a beautiful clear baby blue. The birds are chirping all around, encouraging me to run. The morning air is so crisp, so clean that I feel like I'm in a dream.
A heavy stream of morning traffic zooms past while pedestrians dodge to and fro, trying to get out of my way. Some people told me to slow down while other onlookers gasped, but no one bothered to ask if I needed help. Their reaction confirmed what I already knew that I was on my own in my quest." Anna wipes a tear from her cheek and then continues. "I was determined to make it, despite the odds."
I glance up and see the towering hospital. My gateway to freedom is less than a mile away. I picture myself being home again, back to the land I love. I then imagine mommy and pappy holding me tight. My parents tell me how sorry they are for what they did and how happy they are to have me home. This fairytale image gives me the willpower to push on." She glances up to see the audience anxiously stir in their seats. Gulping back the emotions threatening to escape, she continues.
"I'm almost to my destination when every muscle in my body begins to ache. It starts in my legs and quickly moves up my body. My heart is thumping so hard that I feel like my chest is going to explode." Anna reaches up to her neck. "My mouth and throat are painfully dry like I haven't had anything to drink in weeks. The sweat that poured off me moments ago stops. Everything around me becomes fuzzy, dim. I felt like I was going to collapse right then and there. Horrid memories of being locked in a cage and the severe abuse I endured suddenly come to mind. I then picture some of the nasty old men I'd recently serviced. I have to make it. I have, I think, glancing at the earth-toned brick hospital just a few blocks away. Realizing I'm almost there. I quicken my pace. My bare feet begin to burn like someone set them on fire. I look down to find all kinds of muck. I glance back to see a trail of bloody footprints behind me. I grit my teeth and push on. Images of me making it to freedom run through my mind as I continue.
I'm running so fast that my feet get tangled, sending me face-first to the ground. I start to get up when I notice two shadows on the sidewalk. My dream of freedom shatters. Tears fill my brown eyes as I stare at the oversized silhouette, too frightened to move. I almost made it this time, I think, wiping the tears away. A hand squeezes my shoulder. Yelping, I turn to find an officer towering over me. My hope rises once more. Gulping back, my emotions threatening to escape, I quickly explain. "Please help us, officer, before it's too late."
I was lucky to make it out alive. Many traffic victims don't. If you see something, please report it to the police. Or call the national hotline 1888-373-7800. They are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also text befree to 233733.
Those of you with children, please warn them about the dangers. Be proactive in their lives, and watch for these signs. A list pops up on the screen. They're using more makeup than usual, buying or having expensive things. Change in their demeanor angry, sad or withdrawn, acting out, a drop in grades. The child shows a lack of interest in their favorite activities. I hope it never happens, but if it does, please reach out and get them the help they need. Anna wipes a tear away and then says, "Thank you for your time.