For more than a decade, Venezuela has been a place of profound instability. Political conflict has given rise to economic hardship and daily violence across the country, making life incredibly difficult for residents.
That’s why Angelica,* Genesis,* and Marian* left home.
They were accompanied by a recruiter who seemed ready to offer them the stability they longed for. Each woman was in her early 20s, entering adulthood with a bleak lack of options ahead of them. It was easy to jump on any chance to experience independent adulthood outside of a war zone.
When they arrived in another country far from home, their dreams of independence were shattered. Instead, they were locked inside a house. Food was withheld, doled out in tiny quantities that barely kept them alive. Man after man showed up at their door, buying them for sexual services.
Worst of all were the parties. Though the events were private, the content was recorded, adding digital exploitation to the layers of abuse. If Angelica, Genesis, and Marian tried to say no, their trafficker threatened them with death.
These young women had escaped the violence of their country — only to experience the most profound violence against their bodies and their selfhood.
The Exodus Road’s Latin America team heard about the girls from police partners, who asked for help. Their situation was dangerous, and it was difficult to infiltrate the residential home where Angelica, Genesis, and Marian were trapped. But our investigators applied creativity and ingenuity in tactics that allowed them to ethically collect all the evidence police needed.
These young women from Venezuela had been trapped in the house for months. They might have felt that no one could come to help them.
But police arrived. They arrested the man who had been profiting from selling vulnerable women. And our staff psychologist was ready to provide immediate follow-up care.
Angelica, Genesis, and Marian felt overwhelming relief when they were finally free from the house where they’d been held — finally truly independent. After the horrific trauma they had experienced, it would have been understandable and blameless had they chosen to stay silent about the crimes committed by their abuser. But these women were stubbornly, audaciously brave. Through formal interviews with law enforcement, they offered resounding accusations about their trafficker’s actions, giving the court system everything they needed to open a strong case against him.
This moment of freedom and solidarity with Angelica, Genesis, and Marian is only made possible by the support that The Exodus Road receives from our community of dedicated donors. Thank you for helping us to offer hope to these young women!
*Names and image representative
