Voices of Strength: Survivor Stories
Every survivor’s story is a powerful testament to courage, resilience, and hope. In this space, we honor the lived experiences of those who have endured and escaped human trafficking. Their voices shed light on the harsh realities of exploitation—and the incredible strength it takes to heal and rebuild.
By listening to these stories, we not only bear witness to their journeys but also deepen our understanding of the challenges survivors face and the victories they achieve. These testimonies remind us why advocacy, support, and continued action are essential in the fight to end trafficking.
We thank the survivors who have bravely shared their experiences to inspire change and foster hope for others.
The Unseen Reality of Trafficking in Colorado
In a recent CBS Colorado report, trafficking survivor Kelly Rogers courageously shared her story to help others understand how trafficking really works—and how easily it can happen to anyone.
Her trafficker, Randy Clark, was sentenced to 45 years for assault and trafficking. But Kelly’s experience shows how trafficking is rarely what people imagine. She wasn’t kidnapped. She was manipulated. It started with parties. Then with “free” drugs. Then came the coercion—“you owe me.” When she offered to pay, she was told, “I don’t want your money.” From there, she was forced to perform sex acts while intoxicated, threatened, and degraded.
This kind of exploitation is increasingly common. As Chief Deputy District Attorney Lara Mullin explained, traffickers like Clark use social media to prey on people’s vulnerabilities, especially those struggling with addiction. They build trust, then take control. And many victims, like Kelly, don’t realize what’s happening until it’s too late.
The Denver DA’s Human Trafficking Unit, now six people strong, has investigated over 150 trafficking cases in six years. But Mullin says many victims remain unseen—unable or unwilling to come forward, sometimes because they don’t even see themselves as victims. “They deserve to be seen and supported,” she says.
Kelly’s story challenges myths about trafficking. It doesn’t always involve kidnapping or physical force. Often, it’s psychological control—using fear, shame, or dependency to trap someone. That’s why her voice is so important. She shows us how trafficking happens quietly, through manipulation—not chains.
This commentary is not just about one survivor or one case. It’s about the need to shift how we understand trafficking and to stay alert, especially online. It’s about listening to survivors, supporting prevention efforts, and recognizing the signs—even when they don’t match our expectations.
Kelly said it best: “It doesn’t happen the way people think it does.” The more we listen, the more we can help.
Source:
CBS Colorado. “Survivor of Human Trafficking Case Shares Story in Hopes to Help Others.” March 14, 2025.
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/kelly-rogers-human-trafficking-survivor-randy-clark-denver/
Human Trafficking Isn’t Just About Sex—Labor Exploitation Is Rampant Too
A recent case in Merced, California, is a chilling reminder that human trafficking isn’t only about sexual exploitation—it often involves forced labor, especially among migrants from economically disadvantaged regions.
According to CBS News, deputies executing a search warrant at a black market marijuana facility discovered around 60 suspected trafficking victims, most of whom were smuggled across the southern U.S. border under false promises of “good-paying jobs” and safe housing. Instead, they were forced to live in “horrible” conditions and made to process marijuana to “pay back” those who trafficked them.
This case underscores a deeply overlooked reality: labor trafficking is just as destructive, just as coercive, and far more common than people think. Many victims come from poor or unstable regions and are misled by traffickers offering hope, only to be trapped into exploitative work once they arrive.
Sheriff Vernon Warnke described the situation as “heart-wrenching” and “one of the largest processing areas” his team has encountered. One victim was even a minor. While no injuries were reported, the psychological toll of such abuse is immeasurable.
This story serves as a call to broaden our awareness. Human trafficking takes many forms, and not all victims are locked in brothels—some are hidden in warehouses, farms, and factories. It’s crucial we recognize the signs, support labor trafficking survivors, and advocate for protections for the most vulnerable.
Source:
CBS News. “Dozens of suspected human trafficking victims found processing black market marijuana in California.” July 27, 2023.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dozens-human-trafficking-victims-processing-black-market-marijuana-operation-merced-california/