How Twitter Saved My Life
by Mindy – Sex Trafficking Survivor
For the last 5 years, I have been trafficked. I never really knew the name for it, nor did I put the label on myself. The person who trafficked me always followed everything I did online, but when I found out that they weren’t on Twitter, I got an account. Mainly, I just wanted to feel normal…to have something like a normal person.
Anyway, as I was following people, I added a guy named Tim who posted about a film called In Plain Sight. It kept popping up, and on the night of the showing in my area, I wanted to go, but I got scared and sat at the Starbucks up the street. I ended up seeing the film, and everything in my body wanted to kick and scream. I knew that I had to get out of the life, but I just couldn’t leave.
A few months later, things got to the point of me just wanting to be shot or beaten so I would die. But, I had to try to get out, so I just sent a Twitter message to Tim and told him that I wanted out. He asked a couple of questions, and then told me he was good friends with someone from Hope for Justice and asked if I would be willing to chat. Not 30 seconds later, she called me. Within 20 minutes, I was in a parking lot in the car with someone from the FBI.
In a whirlwind of 48 hours, the women from Hope for Justice and the FBI were so kind and worked so hard to find me a place to go. I am ever so grateful for them – all of them. Like tears fall down type grateful. I am now in a safe house, and they are still working with me.
Thank you for making the In Plain Sight film. Had I not seen it, I never would have had my eyes opened to what I was involved in. When you are in it, you are just in it – surviving. Without Twitter and everyone’s help and prayers, I would not be here…I may be dead…I would still be auctioned off to the highest bidder.
I am so so so so grateful for all that got me here so I can be safe…and where I can be me again.
(Permission to post granted by survivor, and names have been changed to protect the safety of individuals.)
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If you’re interested in hosting a screening of the In Plain Sight documentary in your area, click here, and learn more about all five resources.