Kaya* and Sierra* were so much farther from home than they’d planned.
When they were offered a job in a neighboring country, it felt like a great opportunity for the two women in their mid-20s to work in an environment that would be fun and exciting. But when they arrived, they found themselves shuttled between brothels in a capital city, forced to provide sexual services while their wages were withheld by their traffickers. The situation was terrifying. They just wanted to get home to their families.
Meanwhile, across the ocean, two sisters were living a similar nightmare. Eloísa* and Gracia* were from the same country as Kaya and Sierra, and like them, they’d pursued a chance of exciting work. They both had boyfriends who offered them enticing jobs as models.
When they flew to the country to meet the men who supposedly cared about them, they were forced into servicing 15 customers a day in brothels. If they didn’t meet their quota, they had to live stream sex acts instead. Every day, the boyfriends-turned-traffickers drugged and abused Eloísa and Gracia to keep them defeated and under control.
These situations seemed desperate. But help was coming.
International law enforcement contacted The Exodus Road’s Latin America team, asking for assistance. Through careful investigation, our team was able to determine where these young women were, even though their traffickers were moving them constantly.
Kaya and Sierra were desperate — and they were brave. When they saw a chance to run, they took it, getting on a bus to another country. But their traffickers followed closely behind them. Law enforcement and our team coordinated to meet the women and take them beyond the traffickers’ reach. The Exodus Road transported them safely home while law enforcement ultimately arrested several perpetrators.
Image Representative. Kaya and Sierra were able to escape and make use of public transportation to flee the country their traffickers brought them to.
Meanwhile, Eloísa and Gracia were able to talk to a family member once every other week. Operating under intense threats from their traffickers, the women couldn’t say much. But they courageously communicated all of the information they could, and it was enough for our investigators to work with a family member to track their whereabouts. We gave the girls instructions on how to get away.
The chance came for Eloísa when she had a brief few hours away from her traffickers. That moment of freedom allowed her an opportunity to run, and we immediately got her to safety and transported her back to her family.
We stayed in touch with Gracia, assuring her: hold on. We’ll get you home.
Finally, the chance came when Gracia was required to work a private party in a nearby city. The difference in routine gave her a chance to escape. We immediately coordinated to get her home.
The network of traffickers who exploited these young women preyed on them through relationships. They used their close bonds to manipulate and exploit girls who just wanted rewarding work.
But fortunately, some relational bonds create safety, not abuse. Kaya and Sierra are back with their families, and The Exodus Road is funding their studies in cosmetology while also providing counseling. Sisters Eloísa and Gracia have been reunited with the family member who connected us to them, making freedom possible.
As one of The Exodus Road’s supporters, you are a part of the community that brought these young women home. Thank you!
