Transitioning Times

I am a survivor!  I have had a lifetime of sexual assault.  The first time was from an uncle that lived in my grandmother’s home.  He was my caretaker when my grandmother was at work.  He would have me fondle him and at times would touch me.  I never told anyone.  This started my journey of being victimized time and time again, the next time in my life was by a neighbor boy, he would touch me and make a game out of it, as I was a teen when I was babysitting, sleeping on the couch and the father of the children tried touching me and crawling on top of me, luckily his wife came out when I yelled and the man pretended that he was too drunk to know what he was doing.  After all this, a man I was dating coerced me to have sex with him after pleading with him on several occasions saying that I was not ready,  I just gave up.  Lastly, I married with not knowing what a positive sexual experience was; the sexual abuse I suffered with him was as devas...

Shyima Hall has been in the news before, for becoming a naturalized citizen in 2011.  She is currently in the news for writing her own story.  She has written a book, Hidden Girl: The True Story of a Modern-Day Child Slave.   Shyima was sold into slavery by her parents at 8 years old, approximately 2 years later, the family she was sold to smuggled her into the United States.  She lived in their garage and worked for the family, including children her own age, from morning until night, for as long as they needed her.  2 years later, a neighbor called authorities because they saw Shyima working but not going to school.  She has stayed in the United States, graduated high school, become a citizen and wishes to become a law enforcement officer. This is human trafficking .  Many people think only of sex trafficking, but human trafficking can also include anyone who is forced into performing labor or services against their will. Watch an interview w...