Author: Jessica Concepcion
My mom influences my life tremendously. Growing up, she’d share campfire-worthy stories about her childhood, family, and culture! After learning about human trafficking in my teenage years, though, I could almost assure her that she had almost been recruited in her early 20’s.
At the tender age of 21, my mom migrated to a new country. In the 80’s, there were no social networking sites to allow her to connect with family back home. Therefore, she primarily relied on far-off relatives and other generous people. She formed new connections in Venezuela, but her financial situation remained stagnant. She would visit the public dining hall to buy reduced-priced meals during the week.
One day as she sat eating, two gorgeous men approached her. My mom’s sweet and outgoing personality did not make her wary of them. They introduced themselves as businessmen in mining, with a start-up down south by the border between Venezuela and Brazil. They showed her fine jewelry and told her to keep it. Inquiring about her skillset in accounting, they offered her a job with a promise to double her current salary and provide her with housing. But she would need to leave immediately the next day. She was ecstatic! They advised that there was a group of women who would be leaving with her as well.
My mom returned to work that day and announced to her supervisor that she was leaving for the new city! He asked why and where? She explained. He said, “There’s nothing in that city besides prostitution”. Her heart sank. Because someone intervened, my mom didn’t leave with those businessmen. Because of a conversation, my mom would one day lead a life that brought her to a new country, where she married and raised 3 children. Building relationships both enables trafficking but is also the solution against it! My life wouldn’t be the same without the incredible relationships I’ve enjoyed. Knowing people take advantage and exploit others through what should be a privilege to have, a relationship, is quite disturbing. It’s one of the reasons why I feel it’s important to advocate against this crime.
A trafficker’s schemes unravel when people join conversations on how to spot human trafficking. The issue becomes less mysterious when education helps someone spot the cues and red flags. Without organizations like STAC, important work and active support of survivors would still be missing in our state. Learning about trafficking can be difficult because it touches on the worst in humanity, but it’s incredibly vital if you believe in the power of community. Light shines brightest in the darkness, so don’t be afraid to lean into how you can take part in the solution.
Jessica Concepcion
About Me
Jessica is a native Floridian with South American and Caribbean Latino roots. Presently pursuing a JD at FSU College of Law, where she is the President of the Human Trafficking and Policy Law Society. Before law school, she was a social worker, podcast host, and avid community volunteer.
