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Survivors have many different stories of pain and abuse. The brave women who are speaking out here are some of the thousands who have come forward to share their journeys of courage and survival.

Through the end of the year, we’ll be sharing the individual stories of six inspiring survivors who, with Sanctuary’s help, escaped domestic violence and sex trafficking, rebuilt their lives, and are now using their experiences and Sanctuary’s platform to educate their communities about gender-based violence.

Stormie's Story

From a young age, Stormie and her mother suffered abuse at the hands of her father. Having grown up in a home where intergenerational violence was the norm, Stormie, like so many children exposed to violence, found herself trapped in her own abusive relationship. Finding Sanctuary helped Stormie and her children heal from their trauma and rebuild a life free from violence.

Ava's Story

After escaping from an abusive marriage, Ava found herself in a physically and emotionally abusive relationship at the hands of her new partner. Soon after, she became trapped in a complicated legal battle that her abuser perpetuated to manipulate and control her. Working with Sanctuary, Ava found the support she needed to find freedom, heal from her trauma, and find her voice.
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Monica's Story

For years, Monica suffered severe physical and psychological abuse from her then husband. After he attempted to shut her arm in a door in front of her daughter, Monica worried for her and her children’s safety and sought a divorce. Sanctuary’s counseling services enabled Monica to get to where she is now: a survivor of domestic violence, a mentor, and an advocate for survivors like herself.

Deyanira's Story

By the age of 15, Deyanira had already been victimized by a culture of violence and abuse. The abuse, however, worsened after she met her significant other and gave birth to her two youngest daughters. Her partner resorted to every form of violence to manipulate, control and threaten her life. Through working with Sanctuary’s individual, family and group counselors, Deyanira and her daughters found a safe place to process and heal from the trauma they had endured.

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Carmen's Story

Carmen was 14 years old when she met her trafficker in a park near her home in Oaxaca, Mexico. After offering her a ride home, he instead kidnapped her and took her from her hometown to the United States and forced her into prostitution. Working with Sanctuary, Carmen found the support she needed to begin healing from the darkest moments of her life and see a way forward into a brighter future.

Ana's Story

Ana was a successful businesswoman living in her home country of Brazil when she met her American partner on a dating website. He was warm, kind, supportive and sweet. He fit in perfectly with her family and they soon began to fall in love. He convinced her and her son to move to the United States and the day they married, the abuse began. Working with Sanctuary, Ana and her son found safety away from her abuser and healing for the trauma they had endured.