When Debra Rush was a teenager, a violent gang member kidnapped her and took her to an undisclosed location. He then forced her into sex trafficking. After surviving this nightmare, Debra managed to rise from the ashes and earn a degree in Human Services. She went on to co-found Breaking the Chains, a non-profit organization that rescues women from human trafficking. She partnered with Tiffany Apodaca to build the first safe house in California’s Central Valley which helps women forced into sex trafficking. Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez talk to Debra about her experiences and how she coped with post-traumatic stress and how she managed to overcome shame and guilt left by her trauma. They discuss the dangers that young women face now a days being pray of sexual predators. According to the U.S. State Department, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year. 80% are female and half are children. Approximately 80% of trafficking involves sexual exploitation. 19% involves labor exploitation. Human trafficking is the third largest international crime industry (behind illegal drugs and arms trafficking). It reportedly generates a profit of $32 billion every year. Of that number, $15.5 billion is made in industrialized countries. Debra Rush was named State of California Woman of the Year in 2018. If you would like to know more about Breaking the Chains, go to their website: www.btcfresno.org or call 1-888-858-2021