When No One Else Would Take Her: A Survivor’s Journey to Healing Against All Odds
When No One Else Would Take Her: A Survivor’s Journey to Healing Against All Odds
When our hotline rang that day, it was like many others—someone desperate for a way out, unsure if help would even come. But this survivor’s situation was especially complex, according to Senior Exit Strategist, Ivonne.
The woman on the phone had survived unimaginable trauma, lived in fear, and carried the weight of severe medical complications—both physical and psychological. And she needed help now.
She had a car. She had an advocate supporting her from another state. But what she didn’t have was a place to go. Not one single safe home would take her. Why? Because of the long list of medications she was on and the pending surgery she required due to years of unaddressed trauma to her body.
Some calls are hard. This one was heartbreaking.
“Her case required so much care—she had a surgery coming up and no place to go,” said Ivonne, Senior Exit Strategist at Rescue America. “Most shelters just weren’t equipped for that level of medical need. We tried everything.”
For over a week, Ivonne and her team worked tirelessly, calling placement after placement. But the answer was the same every time: “We can’t take her.”
Still, they didn’t stop.
A Deep Need for Holistic Care
This survivor isn’t alone. According to research by the National Survivor Network, many victims of sex trafficking suffer from chronic illnesses, complex PTSD, untreated infections, and reproductive trauma. Their bodies carry the stories that their voices are often too afraid to speak.
Trauma-informed care isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a lifeline.
“Many safe homes aren’t equipped to handle the acute medical needs survivors come with,” Ivonne explained. “They need stabilization, wraparound services, and spiritual care. And that’s why Rescue America exists—to help bridge that gap and never give up, even when it seems impossible.”
In this survivor’s case, she also struggled with dissociative identity disorder (DID), a condition often linked to severe, sustained childhood trauma. For her, safety wasn’t just about getting out—it was about being in an environment where her mind, body, and spirit could begin to heal.
The task felt impossible. But God had a different plan.
The Breakthrough
Just when doors seemed to close, a trusted partner called: Her Campaign had an opening.
They were ready and willing to meet the survivor’s needs—if she could get medical clearance in time.
Miraculously, the survivor’s next doctor visit aligned perfectly. She received the green light for surgery and stabilization, and her intake was confirmed at the safe home.
“It felt supernatural,” Ivonne said. “Everything lined up within days.”
The woman was accepted into the program, where she began her healing journey—one that included therapy, spiritual support, and a medical care plan tailored to her needs.
She wasn’t just another number. She was finally seen.
Trauma Recovery Takes Time—and Trust
For survivors like her, recovery doesn’t look like a straight line. It often requires patience, adaptation, and a support system willing to walk the long road.
“She had been turned away so many times,” Ivonne said. “But when she arrived at the home, she was welcomed in love. She had space to rest. To heal. To be human again.”
The process of stabilization began—physically through post-surgery recovery, and emotionally through trauma therapy and DID-specific care.
“It was beautiful to watch her begin to come back to herself,” Ivonne shared. “She was fragmented, traumatized, and unsure of her identity. But slowly, through the care she received, she began to feel whole again.”
This is the heart of Rescue America’s work. Beyond the exit, beyond the logistics, beyond the flight arrangements and phone calls, we are committed to the full journey of restoration.
When the World Says No, Rescue America Says Yes
We live in a world that often turns away from messy stories. Survivors who need more time. More help. More resources.
But at Rescue America, we are called to something deeper. We are called to see people the way God does—worthy of love, healing, and dignity.
“There’s always a solution,” Ivonne said. “It just takes time and faith. The Lord opens doors we can’t. We just have to keep showing up.”
According to the Polaris Project, survivors who are matched with trauma-informed, long-term care are significantly less likely to be retrafficked. Yet complex cases like this one often fall through the cracks in the system.
That’s why your support matters.
A New Beginning
Today, this survivor is receiving continued care in a long-term program. She’s stable. Supported. And starting to hope again.
Her story is a reminder that every survivor deserves the opportunity to heal—no matter how complex their needs are. And that through partnership, prayer, and persistence, we can help make that possible.
How You Can Help
Survivors like her are reaching out every day.
But we can’t do this work alone.
Your donation empowers us to say yes when the world says no. It helps fund emergency placements, trauma-informed care, and exit strategies designed for each individual’s journey.
Will you stand with us?
👉 Give now and be a part of someone’s rescue story.
If you or someone you know have been sexually exploited and want out of the life, please call Rescue America’s 24/7 Rescue hotline number at 833.599.FREE.
To report a trafficking tip, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888.373.7888.
Save these numbers on your phone for later reference!
