After experiencing an uncomfortable situation at her home, Tanya Gould-Street made her way to the mall to meet a man. She began to fall in love and committed to helping him make money through an unconventional method.
Two years later, she joined the 4.5 million known victims of human trafficking in the U.S.
To spread awareness about human trafficking Virginia Wesleyan University hosted Gould and the organizations Freekind and Fear 2 Freedom for an impactful event. Freekind, a local nonprofit organization that supports victims of human trafficking and works to restore humanity within adult victims, partners with Gould to show her story.
Participants listened to “Groomed,” a 20 minute docudrama that detailed her story followed by a Q&A session with her. “I was able to find a way,” Gould said. She said the docudrama is important for every college student to watch because it gives those being trafficked hope and shows others how traffickers are masterminds of control and manipulation. She said people saw her being trafficked but didn’t do anything.
Her mission is to spread awareness across the U.S., specifically on college campuses in Virginia. Once individuals turn 18, they must report human trafficking themself. Incidents are unreported because of fears of losing scholarships and because others don’t know how to assist them.
She said she wants victims to be “empowered to self-disclose.” Victims that self-disclose have many different options and organizations to provide them aftercare kits and support.
Fear 2 Freedom is one organization whose mission is to restore hope to sexual assault victims. One of the ways they do this is through their AfterCare kits and iCare kits which are provided to sexual assault victims everywhere and specifically at the hospital after physical evidence is collected.
AfterCare kits are designated for those going through a physical examination. They are packed with clean clothes, toiletries, coloring supplies, resource cards, handwritten notes and most notably a Freedom Bear.
The Freedom Bear is a project that the founder of Fear 2 Freedom, Rosemary Trible and Molly, a 7-year-old survivor created in collaboration with hospitals to create therapeutic recovery methods.
The bear features a backpack containing dissolvable paper on which survivors can write down words of healing. These papers can then be placed in the bear’s secret compartment. When survivors are ready to heal, they take the paper out and dissolve it in water.
Judah King, senior, a participant of the event, said the backstory of the bears was devastating to hear but serves as a beautiful tool to aid in the healing process.
Participants of the event spent time packing each kit and writing notes which are later being delivered by Freekind.
Elliot Fylstra, a sophomore and Wesleyan Engaged student worker, has the task of helping to put on and attend many community events on campus.
“We need to talk about these things,” Fylstra said. They added that of the many events they have helped with this one was the most impactful and informative one.
Editor’s Note: Elliot Fylstra, quoted in this article, is an illustrator for the Marlin Chronicle.
By Grace Harriman
