Lifehouse

I came to Lifehouse on Friday, February 6, 2026 absolutely terrified. I couldn’t feel safe from our traffickers and their associates anywhere because of how persistent I was in finding justice. It felt like absolutely everyone was involved sometimes. I even accused Miss Amanda of The United Way, the only person I could trust of being involved as she drove me here.

I couldn’t face anyone. I thought that I wasn’t someone who deserved any kind of respect from anyone after what happened in the hospital. I was a wild, rabid dog who needed to be put down. Every ounce of confidence and determination that I had gained was gone. I was defeated.

I emerged from a much needed break from absolutely everything on Monday, February 9th. I attended classes where I met a variety of people. I faked the confidence and stifled many tears to cope.

On Wednesday we heard the story of Mollie Christ, a domestic violence survivor. We come from two completely different situations but understood each other completely. When she was asked by a more gruff sounding man why she stayed, she explained it beautifully even through the nerves and emotions that come with it.

It’s the first thing everyone asks, even women who have been through it. It’s understandable but it hurts, especially in the beginning when it feels like nobody is being truthful and you can’t trust at all. The gentleman was honestly wanting to understand so I explained my situation as well.

I didn’t have any ties to our traffickers at all yet they made me believe and proved that they were our only hope of survival. I believed that I was as worthless as they said. I didn’t even deserve a piece of garbage.

The gentleman engaged us and understood how it could happen. He was genuine and sincere about it. He showed me that not everyone is listening to our stories with a perverse sense of excitement like others have done. He genuinely cared.

I have had many conversations with the men here who are the same as him. They have shed tears and proved that they would never allow anyone to hurt me in their presence. They have shared their struggles, admitted to their faults and are on a path to a better future.

I have been far stronger and more capable than the various men in my life. I blame it on the VFW where I was raised. They knew that I questioned everything so military service was out but gave me every survival skill and instinct that I ever needed.

I flippantly told a man that I don’t need a man to protect me because of it. He looked at me and said that a man is supposed to protect me though. I looked into his eyes and smiled. I couldn’t respond even though he was right.

Several men reminded me the rules of men after that. They said that nobody should ever be allowed to harm me because they have absolutely no cause. They know that women have instigated or been violent with men who have had to defend themselves. They have gone to prison for it. I am not like those women though.

On Friday February 13, 2026, I went to sleep peacefully. I awoke at 4am after my first good night’s rest in years. I immediately went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for them. I thanked them in note and word. One woman noticed that I wrote “Benefits Trafficking Victim” on the note and reminded me that I am a survivor.

She is right. I gained my freedom on February 13, 2026 thanks to the staff, volunteers and residents of Lifehouse. They have my eternal gratitude and respect for all that they have done for me. I love you all.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Darcy Mohamed - a free woman once more