Having a Voice

Hey, I'm Starr, and I've been at Safehope for 10 months, and I finally feel that I'm at a place where my voice could help others but can also be a way to keep helping myself, and that's why I wanted to start writing for the blog. For years, my voice has been shut down by my traffickers and other people due to the life I was forced into. Since being at Safehope, I've learned that I have a voice and that my voice matters, and just by sharing my thoughts, my past, or things that I'm even just thinking, I could possibly help someone else maybe want to leave or understand that there's a place and people that will actually help you get out. I'm new to writing, so I'm just learning and exploring this creative part of myself, so I'm hoping that whoever decides to read what I have to say, it brings them some kind of hope and understanding of what human trafficking really does to someone, how there is a way out, and the life that you can and deserve to have.

You never think that you are going to end up in a situation with someone you loved and thought loved you, ending up being the very person that leaves you scared and broken, but it happens, and it's the scariest thing you'll ever live through. Those broken nights can turn into happy days if you believe in yourself and believe that there are people out there that will hold you when you can't hold yourself and actually help you. I was trafficked for over 10 years, and I never thought that I was going to have the life that I do today. Getting here was not easy. Changing everything I knew to be a life and making a new one was not easy. Finding a place and people that I can actually say that I trust was not easy, and I'm not going to say the life I live today is easy, but it's not scary anymore. I don't have to worry about getting beat or not having food or a roof over my head. I'm not worried that if I say the wrong thing, I'm going to get hurt. I don't have to numb myself with substances to get through the days anymore. I can have dreams again, set goals, and work at achieving them, and it's such a beautiful thing to have back in my life.

I can picture myself living a sober life, being a part of a community that builds you up and cheers you on. I'm open and willing to make connections again and can actually start to trust people again. I know I take care of my body because I want to be healthy and not because some man is telling me how I should look and that how I am isn't good enough. I can now picture a life where I go to school for something that I want to do, not work countless hours doing something that wasn't my choice. I can now picture having a life and finding a partner that worships me and wants to start a family with me. I now have a life where I know my worth and don't settle for less than what I deserve. I picture being able to live my life and finally being free.