Carson City survivor of human trafficking shares story for Trafficking Awareness Month, Advocates detail warning signs

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and according to Carson City’s Advocates to End Domestic Violence, the best thing you can do is be informed of the warning signs.

The blue bows now decorating Carson City’s downtown sector are a reminder that human trafficking exists even here, and that we can all do our part in its prevention.

Advocates to End Domestic Violence joined Xquisite, a local agency that aims to empower sexually exploited and trafficked women, in hanging blue bows downtown to help raise awareness for National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. 

One Carson City local is a survivor of human trafficking, and chose to share her harrowing story as a way to highlight the dangers and abuse associated with human trafficking.

Erin Wright was 14-years-old when she became a runaway in San Fransisco. She met an older man who took her in, brought her into his house and she quickly became his girlfriend.

Things started to change shortly after and soon, Erin found herself a victim of sex trafficking.

“He would have me gang raped,” said Erin. “Every time it happened (he said) it was the last time because he loved me.”

Things continued to become more dangerous and abusive for Erin.

“There were days, sometimes weeks, that I would be tortured and held in the crawl space under the house,” said Erin. “The more I would fight, the more he would punish me.”

Erin said that the abuse continued up until she found out she was pregnant. Her abuser sent her away to have her baby and then she returned to the house.

“I wanted the fairytale,” she said. “When I went back with the baby, things were different.”

There were three other girls living in the house when she returned. She was put to work in the strip clubs. When she went to work, the other three girls took care of her baby.

“This continued until my child was almost three,” said Erin. “At that point, I was sold to a different pimp.”

The situation for Erin became increasingly dangerous. Her new abuser was very violent, and beat her constantly.

“He took me to concerts, sporting events. I was turning tricks in outhouses and in bathrooms,” said Erin. “I was beaten over and over. I wanted to die.”

She did not die, however, for the sake of her child.

“So I stood there and took the hits and kicks,” she said.

When she finally escaped from her abuser, she immediately went into hiding.

To this day, Erin said, she struggles with trauma and PTSD due to her abuse.

“I’m thankful for the help from counseling services, and by my amazing boss at Spirit of Hope, Ellen Jackson.”

Spirit of Hope was founded in 2010 and has provided long-term living arrangements for at-risk populations, providing housing for those who do not have access to it. They currently manage nine homes and around 50 clients within the Carson City area.

According to Erin, Spirit of Hope is looking to expand their services to working with victims of human trafficking and their families, and Erin sees herself helping others who, like her, are working to overcome their trauma.

“Ellen sees a future in me working with victims and survivors of trafficking,” said Erin. “As a leader in the community and to bring awareness to what trafficking looks like and how it is different depending on where you live. It’s not like it looks in the movies.”

As a member of National Survivors Network and certified in Ending the Game curriculum, Spirit of Hope will be bringing classes to the community starting in the spring. 

Spirit of Hope is always looking for funds to reach more people, said Erin.

“As we go into this journey of my continued healing and assistance to others, we ask that you join us financially and in support of a new chapter of 2021.”

To learn more about Spirit of Hope, click here.

According to Advocates to End Domestic Violence, Red Flags for Human Trafficking to be aware of include the following:

• Unexplained injuries
• Branding or tattoos
• Hotel keys, rolls of cash, multiple phones, or refillable gift cards
• Sexually provocative clothing inappropriate for weather or situation
• Claim of having an older boyfriend or girlfriend
• Unable to make decisions without approval

To learn more about human trafficking, visit: https://polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center provides help for victims nationwide. Call 1-888-373-7888 or text "HELP" or "INFO" to BeFree (233733). Visit the National Human Trafficking Resource Center website for more information.

To report suspected human trafficking nationwide, contact the US Department of Homeland Security at 1-866-347-2423. For additional information, visit their Blue Campaign webpage.