Survivors of human trafficking are speaking up in these novels about their experiences. While their stories may be difficult to read, it’s important to understand what happens in the world. February is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, so stay educated and use your resources.
Trigger Warning: This article mentions books and topics about human trafficking. Please proceed with caution.
Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd
Rachel Lloyd took her hardships and founded GEMS — Girls Education and Mentoring Service in New York City. Founded in 1998, Rachel wanted to do more for the survivors. She wanted to help train professionals on how best to talk to and assist survivors, change legislation for the guilty, and raise more awareness. She opens up about her story in this powerful memoir and spurs readers into action with her perseverance.
The Slave Across the Street: The True Story of How an American Teen Survived the World of Human Trafficking by Theresa Flores
Theresa Flores talks about her story from just 15 years old, when she unknowingly accepted a drive home from a sex trafficker. She was held for two years in this criminal ring that let her go to school alongside her captor, Daniel, and his friends during the day. She would then be called into duty at night, unknown by her parents. Her resilience and eventual escape is a story you don’t want to miss.
Trafficked by Sophie Hayes
Sophie Hayes went on a vacation with her apparent boyfriend in Italy, but she never returned. He trapped her and threatened her brothers if she didn’t help him pay off his debts. She was forced to work as a prostitute in a country where she didn’t know any of the languages, and no one knew where she was. She comes down with a terrible illness and has the chance to call her mom. Purchase her memoir and see exactly how she was able to escape this inescapable situation.
I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali, Delphine Minoui, and Linda Coverdale (Translator)
Nujood Ali was forced into an arranged marriage at just 10 years old by her father with a man three times older than her. She was abused and treated terribly by her husband, but with the help of local advocates and the press, she was able to escape. This occurred in Yemen, where almost half of all girls living here are married under the legal age. Nujood’s story is helping other young girls in Yemen fight back the best they can against this treatment.
The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State by Nadia Murad
Nadia Murad lived in a small village in northern Iraq with dreams of either becoming a history teacher or opening her own beauty salon. At 21, her dreams were shattered. Islamic State militants massacred people in her village, and Nadia was taken to Mosul and forced into the ISIS slave trade. She was heavily abused along with other girls from her village before she finally escaped. Nadia’s story shares the reality of genocide still going on in the world and hopefully spurs people into action.
We applaud these authors who have survived such horrific circumstances and are telling their stories. It’s incredible to see their strength and important for us to hear them and know the realities. We need to stand together in the fight against human trafficking.
Human Trafficking Resources
Please call 911 if you are ever in an emergency, but otherwise, utilize the free hotline at 1-888-373-7888, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in any country and in more than 200 languages. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Justice website here for additional resources should you or someone you know need them.
Take a look at some other books told by more strong trafficking survivors.
Check out our non-fiction bookshelf to read more true stories.
