Rescuing a victim of human trafficking is never as simple as it sounds. It’s not just about pulling someone out of a dangerous situation—it’s navigating a long, complicated process that involves legal hurdles, safety planning, emotional barriers, and ongoing support.
Many people believe that once a woman asks for help, she can immediately walk away and start a new life. But the reality is far more complicated. The story of Tessa reveals the many obstacles that stand in the way of freedom and restoration.
Tessa’s Story: The Long Road to Freedom
A Desperate Cry for Help
Tessa first connected with us through digital outreach early last year. She responded quickly to our message, saying she needed help—but she was hesitant.
She had been in the industry for years, struggling with addiction and the weight of past trauma. But what held her back most was her husband—someone she believed cared for her, even though deep down, she knew the relationship was unhealthy.
At first, she said she wanted out, but when it came down to actually leaving, she couldn’t imagine walking away from him. Then, one day, he moved her to a remote town in North Carolina, and we lost all contact.
For nearly half a year, we heard nothing. Then, out of the blue, a message came through:
💬 “Emma, I need help right now.”
When I called, she was crying.
💬 “If I stay here, I don’t think I’ll survive. I need help. He’s gone for two days. Can you help me?”
The man she once thought she couldn’t leave had become her trafficker—controlling her every move, taking her money, and using violence to keep her trapped.
This time, she was ready to go.
The Legal & Logistical Barriers to Rescue
Helping a trafficking victim escape isn’t as simple as buying a plane ticket and picking them up. There are legal, safety, and systemic challenges that make leaving incredibly difficult, often creating roadblocks that survivors must navigate before they can truly find freedom.
One of the first challenges is law enforcement and legal barriers. Many survivors don’t trust the police, fearing arrest due to past drug charges or prostitution-related offenses. Even though federal laws like the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) provide protections, accessing those resources often requires cooperation with law enforcement—something that many women are too afraid to do. Their criminal records, often a direct result of their exploitation, can also prevent them from qualifying for the very support systems designed to help them.
Another major hurdle is finding emergency housing. Many domestic violence shelters won’t accept trafficking survivors due to safety concerns or strict entry requirements, such as sobriety or proof of identity—both of which are often impossible for a woman in crisis. Faith-based and survivor-led shelters tend to be the best option, but space is extremely limited, and waitlists can be long. This leaves many women with nowhere to go, forcing them to remain in unsafe environments.
For those who do find a way out, lack of identification and legal documentation becomes yet another barrier. Many victims have no ID, Social Security card, or birth certificate, making it nearly impossible to secure housing, employment, or medical care. In many cases, traffickers have stolen or destroyed these documents as a control tactic, and replacing them can take weeks or even months—time that many survivors don’t have when trying to rebuild their lives.
Substance use is another complicating factor. Many women escaping trafficking struggle with drug dependency, often because traffickers force them into addiction to maintain control. Most rehabilitation programs require detox before entry, but without healthcare access or stable housing, detoxing safely becomes an impossible barrier to getting help. The lack of immediate support leaves many women trapped in a cycle of addiction and exploitation.
Even after escaping, survivors face ongoing safety risks. Leaving a trafficker is dangerous, and many traffickers use phone surveillance, GPS tracking, and financial control to monitor and manipulate their victims. Survivors often need restraining orders, relocation assistance, and security planning to stay safe, but obtaining legal protections can be complicated and time-consuming. Without the right support, many women end up back in the hands of their trafficker or vulnerable to new forms of exploitation.
The road to freedom is long and full of obstacles. It’s not just about getting out—it’s about staying out. This is why ongoing support, trauma-informed care, and long-term housing solutions are critical for survivors. It’s not enough to remove someone from a harmful situation; we must walk with them as they rebuild their lives.
Tessa’s Escape: Navigating the System
The moment Tessa reached out, we had only a few hours before her trafficker returned. We needed to move quickly.
In just five hours, we secured:
✔ A one-way ticket to Charlotte
✔ A spot in an emergency safe house
✔ A plan to meet her upon arrival to ensure her safety
Everything was set. But, as is often the case, rescues rarely go as planned.
Tessa made it to her first stop, and I even arranged for her to receive a warm meal along the way. But when it was time to board her final ride, I stopped hearing from her.
Silence.
I feared the worst—that she had changed her mind, been found, or was too scared to keep going. I kept praying, begging God not to let this be the end of her story.
Then, on Saturday morning, my phone rang. An unknown number.
💬 “Emma, I’m so sorry. I lost my phone at one of the stops. I had no way to call you. My ticket was on my phone, and I had no idea what to do. I ended up sleeping at the station last night.”
She had scribbled my number on a piece of paper earlier that week, found a kind stranger, and used their phone to reach me.
By God’s grace, she got on the next ride out and arrived in Charlotte, where we met her at the station and walked her toward a new beginning.
A New Beginning
When she arrived, I was already waiting nearby. As soon as she saw me, relief washed over her face, and we hugged tightly.
For the first time in a long time, she knew she was safe.
I walked with her to the designated meeting spot, where a trusted advocate from the shelter was waiting. She took a deep breath, stepping into a car that would take her toward a new future—one free from fear, trauma, and control.
The next afternoon, I got a call. Her voice sounded lighter, filled with something that had been missing for so long—hope.
💬 “I said yes to the full program! I’m going to have a safe place to stay, get sober, and actually start over. For the first time, I really feel like I can do this.”
For the first time in years, she was free.
The Reality of Rescue
This is what rescue really looks like.
- It’s not instant—it can take weeks, months, or even years for a woman to finally be ready.
- It’s full of barriers—fear, unhealthy attachments, addiction, and control all make leaving incredibly difficult.
- It requires consistency—Tessa didn’t reach out for six months, but when she did, she knew she could.
- It’s God’s timing, not ours—we often want things to happen quickly, but God is writing a bigger story than we can see.
You may think your prayers, your presence, or your words don’t make an impact. But they do.
Tessa’s story is a testament to why we never stop showing up.
Even when it feels like nothing is changing. Even when we don’t see the results right away. God is always moving.
How You Can Help
So many women are still waiting for their moment of rescue.
Would you pray for Tessa and the countless others still trapped in trafficking?
If you want to be part of this mission, learn more at ScarletHope.org.
