‍I’m a Mother on a Mission, Not a Victim

This is not easy for me to write. I’ve spent most of my life learning to stay quiet, to survive in silence. But today, I’m choosing to speak for myself, for my children, and for the countless others who have endured what should never have been asked of them.

The Truth I’ve Carried

I am a survivor of a human trafficking ring, whose leaders have since been federally convicted. My story is complicated. It spans years of abuse, manipulation, and fear. But it also includes hope, resilience, and the unwavering love of a mother trying to free her children from similar abusive conditions I was raised under. I’ve worked hard to create stability, to shield my kids from the darkest parts of my past, to establish a career and a life worth living. But healing isn’t linear. And justice doesn’t always come swiftly.

What many people don’t see is that surviving is expensive — emotionally, physically, legally, and financially.

Why I’m Fundraising

Because healing takes resources.

Because justice takes lawyers.

Because I won't truly be free until my daughter are.

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This isn’t a handout. This is a lifeline...

I never thought I’d ask for help like this. But I believe in the power of community, especially the one built by survivors, for survivors. If my story gives someone else the courage to speak up or get out, then it’s worth every uncomfortable word.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for seeing me.

If you'd like to see an itemized breakdown of what this campaign and your generous donations are funding, please CLICK HERE for details.

Yes, I was victimized — but I don’t carry a victim mentality. That mindset never served my drive to reclaim my narrative. My determination to free my daughters from this cycle of abuse outweighs any fear of victim-shaming or risking the career I’ve worked so hard to build.

If you can give, thank you, from the bottom of my heart! If you can’t, please share my story. Visibility matters. Advocacy matters. Support doesn’t always look like dollars; sometimes, it’s a comment, a reshare, or just letting someone else know they’re not alone.

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From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

~Mariah