21-Year-Old Survivor Helps Fight Human Trafficking

A young woman who survived three years of sex trafficking starting at age 12 is now helping others escape the same nightmare.

April, now 21, met her trafficker on social media when she was just a child. She thought he was helping her escape problems at home. Instead, he took her to hotels where he threatened to kill her family and dog if she told anyone what was happening.

"It happens to many girls around the area including Indianapolis," April said. "It doesn't just happen in big cities. It happens everywhere around the world."

After finally getting help, April connected with Allies, an Indianapolis nonprofit that pairs trafficking survivors ages 12 to 24 with volunteer mentors for 18 months. She's been with the organization for five to six years, finding community and healing through their programs.

"We work with survivors of trafficking, providing mentorship and a supportive community," said Jessica Evans, founder and executive director of Allies. The organization hosts monthly gatherings, outings, and experiences for survivors while also supporting their parents through a program called Thrive.

April recently got baptized, marking another milestone in her recovery. "At the end of the day, Jesus has got me. Jesus is what saved me," she said.

The Ripple Effect

Allies has served nearly 120 girls through their mentorship program, creating long-term relationships that slowly transform lives. Evans emphasizes that real change happens when you walk with someone for years, not just months.

The organization works to educate communities about what trafficking really looks like. "It's not an unmarked van snatching a girl out of a parking lot," Evans explained. It's when someone trades sex for something of value, whether that's a place to stay, drugs, or anything else. Often it involves blackmail, like threats to share intimate photos.

April and Evans both urge parents to monitor their children's phones and social media closely. Keep devices in public areas, use parental controls, and know who kids are talking to online. That's where many traffickers first make contact with vulnerable young people.

"Watch what their kids are doing when they're on the internet, if anything," April said. She wants parents to understand how easily predators can reach children through screens.

April's message to other survivors shows remarkable strength: "Just because a situation happens, that doesn't mean that you can't move on in life or learn from it." Her courage in sharing her story is helping protect the next generation of kids online.