She’s currently on full scholarship studying criminal justice

It took Victoria years to realize she was trafficked by someone she loved.

Victoria grew up in a household where she “knew she wasn’t wanted.” Her teenage mother was forced to marry an abusive, alcoholic man, creating a toxic home environment, and at the age of 9, Victoria was sexually assaulted by a family member. Victoria’s homelife was a catalyst for her to “look for love in the wrong places.”

Victoria (far right) with her mom and sister in Sausalito.

Despite her upbringing, Victoria graduated high school, became a CNA, married, and had children. But after the tragic loss of her husband, a devastated Victoria met another man. “He knew exactly how to be a con-artist. He came into my life, isolated me from my family, manipulated my mind, and made me think he loved me,” Victoria said.

“It was at the Lighthouse I learned just how manipulated, coerced, and controlled I actually was. In the beginning, I thought, ‘There’s no way he could be my pimp. He’s my boyfriend.’ But later I realized he was both. I could finally start healing once I recognized that.”

Victoria graduated from the Life Recovery Program in August 2023, reunited with her three older children and moved into the Lighthouse’s transitional housing. In January 2024, she received public housing in Marin County and was “incredibly blessed” to be gifted a car by a partner nonprofit.

After an underage loved one was recently trafficked, Victoria was motivated to act. “I lost my mind, but in a good way. I’m so determined to get help for these kids now. There’s really no help in legislation. There are more minors on Figueroa Street than adults. My goal is to create legislation that actually helps.”

Lighthouse Director Leslie Painter connected Victoria with a contact at Vanguard University, where Victoria interviewed and received a full scholarship. In the fall, she’ll be working towards a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with a minor in women’s justice and an emphasis on human trafficking. “I’m using all that I went through to help others. I want to push myself and my potential,” Victoria shared.

Victoria is happily engaged to a man that she met at church, and she’s reconnected with her mother and her sister, Reyna. Victoria is focusing on gaining custody of her two youngest children. She’s also collaborating with human trafficking organizations to get past criminal charges dropped from her record, a current barrier to employment, as they occurred while Victoria was being trafficked.

“Honestly, it’s been hard to find work,” she said. “People don’t want to hire anyone with felonies. God says you are born anew but the world doesn’t work like that.

“But I’m doing so good. I can see where God is going. I have my own place, my own car, my oldest children, and I’m starting school. I’ve been sober for two years. I haven’t sold myself in two years. I’m in such a good place.”

Victoria’s “ultimate vision” is to start a nonprofit. “I want to help the world,” Victoria laughed. “I would like to see more programs that help single dads, especially those with partners suffering from addiction, trafficked minors, families, because everyone experiences trauma from this.

“I want everyone to know they’re not alone, and to accept help when it’s there so they can pull themselves out, because there’s always another you out there that needs you. I tell myself there’s another ‘Victoria’ out there that needs to hear my story to help them, so they can help the next person, and the next person, and the next person. You have to fight for them. So, fight.”