Knoxville Survivor Turns Trauma Into Hope for Others

Brianna Campbell ran without knowing where she was going, just that she had to get away. When she finally saw a house, she stopped and called for help, ending years of being controlled, manipulated, and trapped in human trafficking.

Campbell's nightmare began in 7th grade and continued at ages 15 and 17. She didn't understand what was happening at the time because it looked nothing like the chains and kidnapping stories people imagine when they think of trafficking.

"There were no chains," Campbell explained on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Knoxville. "It was manipulations, threats, and being made to believe I had no way out."

For years, someone watched her constantly. They drugged her daily, making escape even harder. Fear became her prison, and control became her cage.

Then one day, her captors stopped watching. Campbell seized the moment and ran until she found help.

Today, Campbell works with Together We Rise in Knoxville, a foundation that helps trafficking survivors find safety and start over. She knows firsthand that escaping is only the beginning of a long healing journey.

Campbell now focuses on rebuilding her life with her 5-year-old son Carson while honoring the memory of her late son Jasper. The healing she's found seemed impossible before, and she's watched other women in the program discover the same hope.

Why This Inspires

Campbell chose to break her silence despite the pain of reliving her past. She speaks publicly because staying quiet protects the people who hurt victims, not the victims themselves.

"Human trafficking is happening to children right now," Campbell said. "If sharing my truth helps even one person be seen or saved, then it's worth it."

Her advice is practical and potentially lifesaving: trust your gut when something feels off, share your location with people you trust, stay aware of your surroundings, and have a quick way to contact someone if you feel unsafe.

Campbell transformed her darkest moments into a lifeline for others still trapped in the shadows.