A 19-year-old girl who was trafficked across the U.S. by a truck driver is now safe and receiving long-term aftercare.
The teenage girl, who we have given the pseudonym name Lily* to protect her identity, is believed to have been sex trafficked for approximately one year across various states.
She was found by law enforcement officers as they carried out a spot-check at a truck station weigh-in center on a rural interstate highway.
Lily was being trafficked across the U.S. in a semi-truck – a commercial vehicle. Officers observed several red flags which indicated she was being trafficked. She had virtually no personal belongings, hygiene items, or clothing.
Law enforcement interviewed the survivor and then conducted an initial review of digital investigative evidence. They then contacted Hope for Justice’s team of investigators requesting our assistance to find the survivor safe accommodation.
Mark Herbst, our Senior Investigator based in the Midwest, said: “This female survivor has been subjected to horrible abuse, exploitation, and trafficking. Our primary goal was to get her to safety. Hope for Justice was able to find her a place in a long-term aftercare program for sex trafficking survivors. Thankfully she is now far away from this perpetrator. She is in a safe place where she can receive love, care, and compassion, and be supported to rebuild her life and pursue a journey to freedom.”
Our team is trained to provide a trauma-informed response to potential victims and survivors of human trafficking. We also ensured that Lily received essential clothing and personal items to support the beginning of her aftercare and her journey toward freedom.
Mark Herbst said: “Having a strong working relationship with law enforcement is essential for Hope for Justice investigators. In many cases, officers are simultaneously building a criminal case for court while also trying to support a victim who has endured significant abuse and trauma and urgently needs safe placement and therapeutic care. We help bridge that gap, supporting both law enforcement and the survivor.”
The truck driver, a man in his 40s, was arrested by state law enforcement in the Midwest. He has been charged with human trafficking and maintaining a premises used for human trafficking. These are both felony charges with a penalty of up to 30 years in prison.
*Name and image changed to protect the identity of the survivor
