We Are All Vulnerable

Nobody likes to think of themselves as being vulnerable. When DHHS initially investigated reports of exploitation, they asked me if I was vulnerable. I replied that I wasn’t. I didn’t think of myself that way even though I was admittedly housebound at the time. I was ‘brainwashed’ yet my answer probably would’ve been the same regardless. It’s just human nature.

The hard truth is that being trafficked can happen to anyone at any time. We had family, friends and associates who were helpless to stop what happened to us. We had assets of $500,000. We had plenty of income coming in. Our only vulnerability was in our disabilities. We hired a caregiver from a service who was unknowingly a human trafficker and groomer. She brought in others to help control, manipulate, exploit and destroy us.

In the end, my mother was murdered and our assets were stolen. I fought for well over a year to survive and stop the destruction but I was helpless and still am. Human trafficking is investigated by the FBI because of its organizational structure and reach into different states and countries. These investigations take years to complete, destroying lives in the process. Our traffickers remain free years after the first reports of exploitation were made.

Absolutely nobody rescued me or helped me along the way. I was ignored and still am. The evidence is overwhelming and in the hands of the United Way. It remains untouched to this day. In the end, it doesn’t matter when our traffickers and their associates are finally arrested. They are known to many. I have told my story to the world numerous times over for years as my amnesia clears. I am protected because of it.

While I am alive and safe, I worry for others who might fall victim to these predators. Although my Islamic faith and queerness were used to abuse me, they weren’t our vulnerability. They are for many others though.

Anytime a person is shunned from society and loses community, they are vulnerable. It could be due to poverty, addiction, criminal history, family ties, youth, old age, disability, religion, sexuality, skin color or anything else. They use the victim to exploit others, gain blackmail and serve them in whatever way they desire. When they no longer serve their purposes or are believed to be trying to escape, they are tortured more, moved or disposed of. I was fortunate. My mother, along with countless others were not.

The best defense is a strong, understanding community that values all of its people. They uplift the vulnerable until they are no longer vulnerable by being a part of the community. They refuse to accept abuse of any kind towards anyone. They counsel those who are abused and abusers alike before it grows out of control, ending in tragedy. They help their neighbors and even strangers so that human trafficking can’t gain a foothold in their community because

Every life matters, especially yours.

God bless Nebraska and especially Her people.