“I remember so many times thinking, ‘God, where are the people? How come these people can see me walking the street with a black eye, and I imagine I look terrified. Why is no one stopping?’ I remember thinking that so many times. I’ve had encounters where I was in a store with my abuser, and I was clearly beaten up, and I had people look at me and just walk away. Not one person thought to ask me if I was okay or needed help. I’ve heard people say, ‘That’s not our business,’ and walk away.”
Kendra Gracia, a pastor’s daughter, grew up in church but chose to enter into the party scene at a young age. After years of stripping and commercial sexual exploitation, she became a victim of human trafficking and domestic violence who feared for her life. She was able to break free from her abuser and has chosen to dedicate her life to bringing hope and healing for others.
Nicole Phillips is the Founder & Executive Director of Lavished Ministries Inc, an organization that works with women who currently work or are transitioning out of the commercial sex industry. She also actively serves as the Executive Chair of the Florida Circuit 14 Human-Trafficking Task Force under the Florida Attorney General. Consulting in numerous city, state, and federal human trafficking investigations, speaking in over 200 churches and training over 5,000 individuals on how to spot and stop human trafficking.
They join us on the latest edition of A Savage Perspective podcast.
They can be reached through https://www.lavishedministries.com/.
Lavished Ministries also has a podcast. It’s called Stripped Christianity and is available at most podcast sites such as Spotify and Anchor.
If you know or suspect that someone is trapped in sex trafficking and needs help, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.