End Human Trafficking

Change.org Reader, Survivor Finds Justice After 10 Years

Published August 21, 2009 @ 11:22AM PT

Even in the darkness that human trafficking casts over the world, we occasionally find a bright ray of light.  That ray shone on me today from a survivor named Privilege, whom I have been very lucky to correspond with.   

Privilege first contacted me last March, hoping to find a way to share her story with the world.  She had been brought to the U.S. by a husband who brutally abused her.  And against all odds, she had managed to escape that abuse and ask for justice.  Yet years later, she was still waiting for the U.S. government to grant her a U Visa, which would give her temporary legal status and work eligibility in the United States for up to 4 years.  Without that visa, Privilege couldn't get a job to support her children.  She couldn't truly feel free.  She asked me to publish her story and I did, because it needed to be told.

Today, after an almost decade-long struggle, Privilege received the news that she was a U visa recipient, and her new life in America could begin in full.  She says,

Today my attorney called me to inform me that I am now a U Visa recipient!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can now earn a living for myself and decide how my life will go!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been waiting two months short of ten years for this moment. There is a God out there and He has smiled on me! Thank you to everyone who prayed for me and called and wrote to USCIS on my behalf. A new day has dawned. I hope and pray that the waiting period will be even less for those that follow in my steps!

Good luck to you, Privilege, and to your family.  I know having overcome so much, you will continue to do great things.  We at Change.org are happy to have been of service to you in your quest for justice.   

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Comments (44)

  1. Ben Rattray

    Congratulations, Privilege!  We couldn't be happier for you.

    Posted by Ben Rattray on 08/21/2009 @ 11:51AM PT

  2. Martele Banks

    This is a great story and a testament to collective efforts. Thanks for sharing and I wish Privelege the best of luck beginning her new life.

    Posted by Martele Banks on 08/21/2009 @ 02:05PM PT

  3. Vish Ganapathy

    Cogratulations Privilege!  We hope you can live life to the fullest!

    Posted by Vish Ganapathy on 08/21/2009 @ 02:35PM PT

  4. judith meskill

    congratulations indeed, Privilege! we are so happy that you came back to share this excellent news with us!

    Posted by judith meskill on 08/21/2009 @ 05:41PM PT

  5. Gina Puggioni

    Privilege, keep your strength, never lose faith, sweetie!! Yes indeed, there is a God..BUT, it is also Women empowerment that is helping to change the world, and as a survivor of Domestic violence against my Son & I, we have stayed strong, and are finally free from what I thought was a hopeless situation. Congratulations, keep moving forward, don't ever stop. Life gets even better, you'll see!! Your life has JUST begun!! Stories like ours help other hopeless victims fight hard and keep their strength when they feel lost. God Bless you & yours, and the best for your new life!! I share my joy & gratitude with you, and Bless all the people who helped you reach this far!!!

    Sincerely,

    Gina & Nelson Joseph F.

    Posted by Gina Puggioni on 08/23/2009 @ 06:51AM PT

  6. Mary Ann Thompson

    Congratulations Privlege Best to you and yours. With your incredible strength I know God has alot of good in store for you. Write a book. Everyone of us that has survived domestic violence is a candle illuminating the goddess within us. God bless you and may you have alot of happiness.

    Posted by Mary Ann Thompson on 08/23/2009 @ 09:02AM PT

  7. Christina Schumaker

    I am so happy for you Privilege, Congratulations!!  I am so inspired by your strength and my heart leaps with joy that you and your children can now live a life free of violence and full of hope.  Best wishes in your present and future, God Bless You.

    Posted by Christina Schumaker on 08/23/2009 @ 09:18AM PT

  8. Christina Danley

    Congratulations, Priviledge!  I wish you so much happiness and good luck to you!  Love, Tina D.

    Posted by Christina Danley on 08/23/2009 @ 10:21AM PT

  9. Cheri Hample

    When I was a in private practice as a therapist I worked with many women from other countries who married men in the US military, had children and came to live in the US. Abuse, psychological, physical and sexual was very quite prevalent, I am grateful Privilege and her family were able to find support to live a different life. We all need to be diligent and steadfast in our local and global efforts to promote a non-violent world....and what about our military????

    Posted by Cheri Hample on 08/23/2009 @ 10:40AM PT

  10. DAN MURRAY

    Privilege, you are an inspiration to others who are facing similar life experiances. Thank goodness also for the wonderful people who heard about Privilege and were able to help her out of a terrible situation! Thanks and let's build momentum in ending this horrific practice of human trafficking.

    Posted by DAN MURRAY on 08/23/2009 @ 11:08AM PT

  11. H.Marie Ostrander

    Congratulations Privilege for your escape from the abusive husband.  I too was extremely abused by my exhusband.  Sadly to say my children also suffered abuse.  Abused women are some of the strongest women I have known and I cheer whenever a woman has the strength and courage to escape.  Welcome to our great country and I hope you are able to create happiness and prosperity for you and your children.

    Posted by H.Marie Ostrander on 08/23/2009 @ 11:12AM PT

  12. Jamaka Petzak

    Prayers for you to continue to be strong, Privilege, and to raise your children to be free of the terrible crimes which you were subject to, which all too often are generational, and must be stopped.  It takes all our hearts, and all our strength, and all our prayers to make a better world.  Surely it can hardly get worse -- we must start to heal it.

    Posted by Jamaka Petzak on 08/23/2009 @ 11:14AM PT

  13. Sandra Mathews

    Your story moves me to tears, that you could have endured so much and waited so long, yet reached one of your goals with the help of others.  Bless you.

    Posted by Sandra Mathews on 08/23/2009 @ 11:29AM PT

  14. J T

    Amazing!  See, you never know how big a ripple your little stone thrown in the pond may create.  Sometimes a small effort can move mountains!

    Posted by J T on 08/23/2009 @ 11:35AM PT

  15. Barbara Frederick

    So happy for you, Privilege!  Now you can tell your story and help us rescue other women.  And don't forget to start studying for the Citizenship exam.  Those of us who were born here don't realize how privileged we are, but you do. 

    Tell people it's worthwhile to reach out for help, especially on the Internet, where there are lots of people who can help, even if they would be hard or even impossible to find any other way.  And helping makes us feel good.

    Posted by Barbara Frederick on 08/23/2009 @ 11:54AM PT

  16. Amanda Stinchecum

    Your courage and persistence will help make life, and change, possible for many women.

    Heartfelt thanks,

    Amanda

    Posted by Amanda Stinchecum on 08/23/2009 @ 12:12PM PT

  17. Stella  Solomons

    Cheers, Priviledge.

    Posted by Stella Solomons on 08/23/2009 @ 12:39PM PT

  18. Dawn Grib

    May God richly bless you and your children, dear lady.  Congratulations!

    Posted by Dawn Grib on 08/23/2009 @ 12:44PM PT

  19. Suzanne Hornbeck

    So happy for you!  I wish you the best of luck for a great future.

    Posted by Suzanne Hornbeck on 08/23/2009 @ 12:51PM PT

  20. James Berry

    Amazing. Always great to see good things happen to good people.

    Posted by James Berry on 08/23/2009 @ 02:05PM PT

  21. Lee Dorsey

    So gratified to hear your dreams/wishes can now safely become reality. 

    So gratified to be a part of CHANGE.Org.... as we are now reaching a critical mass of numbers and connections to allow this sort of thing to happen.

    Posted by Lee Dorsey on 08/23/2009 @ 02:15PM PT

  22. Alex Macdonald

    May the best wishes and luck come your way Privilege!

    Posted by Alex Macdonald on 08/23/2009 @ 03:13PM PT

  23. Paula Bourgeois

    Good for you! Best wishes for you in all your endeavors.  Thanks to Change.org for reaching out to lend a helping hand.

    Posted by Paula Bourgeois on 08/23/2009 @ 03:14PM PT

  24. Tom Sanchez

    Congratulations on your visa and your freedom!  May further blessings come your way!

    Posted by Tom Sanchez on 08/23/2009 @ 04:01PM PT

  25. Congratulations Priviledge!!! I'm excited for you. :)

    many blessings

    Posted by nadia s on 08/23/2009 @ 04:33PM PT

  26. Crystal Cuevas

    CONGRATS PRIVILEGE!!!!!!!! WONDERFUL!!!!

    Posted by Crystal Cuevas on 08/23/2009 @ 05:14PM PT

  27. molly brewer

    me too keep it up yo.

    Posted by molly brewer on 08/23/2009 @ 05:14PM PT

  28. Pamela Voras

    Congratulations, Privelege, on the long hard battle you fought...and won!

    Posted by Pamela Voras on 08/23/2009 @ 05:49PM PT

  29. Jesus isLORD

    I am sooo happy for you and your children, I am out of a similar situation safely, one of my children was taken from me and sent to live with her abuser when she disclosed the abuse to me and in turn I tried to protect her and tell the authorities, I never would have believed in he USA this would EVER happen, sadly even though I am safe my child is not!

    Posted by Jesus isLORD on 08/23/2009 @ 06:30PM PT

  30. Donna Martin

    You are an example of what determination can do....it resounds in my ear "yes we can" and gives me hope for my grandchildren and all the children of the world that we can make a difference  - we can fight abuse and win - we can help others when there seems to be no right answer....its faith and belief in what is right and good and how important it is for us to provide safety and protection for the victims....God Bless you lady....May your abundance and joy be unending and thank you for sharing and believing in fighting the fight...

    Posted by Donna Martin on 08/23/2009 @ 07:52PM PT

  31. Eunice Robertson

    I am so glad to hear you have escaped your desperate situation. May your future life be all you wish it could be. Here in South Africa spousal abuse is accepted as "normal" among the indiginous population. As far as I am concerned, any form of abuse - physical, emotional , elder abuse - is never acceptable, and this world will never have peace until violence within the family is eradicated.

    Posted by Eunice Robertson on 08/23/2009 @ 09:46PM PT

  32. Srestha  Roy

    Thats great! Wish u Privilege all the best in your years to come. We are near in prayers and hope that the Almighty gives you the strength and confidence for all the good that you do

    Posted by Srestha Roy on 08/23/2009 @ 11:45PM PT

  33. Pam Steele

    Congrats! Privilege! As a survivor of Domestic Violence myself, I know a great deal about the strength, the courage, the tenacity, and self-confidence it takes to get out, and make a new life for yourself. You are a wonderful example of all of those. May you be blessed and overflowing as you continue to walk your new journey in life. 

    Posted by Pam Steele on 08/24/2009 @ 04:32AM PT

  34. Angie Binner

    Congratulations, im so happy for you!Thank you for sharing your story, it gives me hope when I hear stories like yours. I hope one day we will have the courage and determination that you do. I will be pray for you and your family. God Bless!

    Posted by Angie Binner on 08/24/2009 @ 09:06AM PT

  35. I am so proud of you! I wish you and your family the best. I pray that you will be safe and continue to be strong. Best wishes!

    Posted by christy johnson on 08/24/2009 @ 10:37AM PT

  36. sunshine forever

    CONGRATULATIONS Privilege!!

    Posted by sunshine forever on 08/24/2009 @ 11:03AM PT

  37. Matthew Cloner

    It was great to read about this story. Congratulations, Privilege! There is a God in Heaven who answers our prayers.

    Posted by Matthew Cloner on 08/24/2009 @ 11:20AM PT

  38. Romy Carver

    Well I just congratulated you on the original post before realizing that this was the place to go.  Anyway, I am so happy for you and your family!  Stay strong, your children are lucky to have a mother who never gave up.  I will never forget your story.

    Posted by Romy Carver on 08/24/2009 @ 02:39PM PT

  39. vicki boguszewski

    You go Woman!!! Congratulations Privilege and thank you for being inspiring to me, to women, and to daughters everywhere. Through faith and perseverance we shall supercede! Today is National Women's Equality Day, marking the anniversary of women's right to vote and universal suffrage. Celebrate Sisters!

    Posted by vicki boguszewski on 08/26/2009 @ 08:34AM PT

  40. Linda  Melder

    God loves you, Privilege!  And so do I.  May God bless your future with him as you guide and protector.  

    Posted by Linda Melder on 08/27/2009 @ 06:35PM PT

  41. Rob M.

    AMAZING victory---CONGRATULATIONS,, I hope things continue to improve for you AND I sincerely hope this will HELP others to find HOPE AS WELL AS SUCCESS in similar difficulties they face:-)

    Posted by Rob M. on 08/31/2009 @ 04:06AM PT

  42. brett messner

    This is so amazing and happy it brings a tear to my eye. I am very happy for you. You have heart. Keep persevering.

    Posted by brett messner on 09/03/2009 @ 09:47AM PT

  43. Thomas McHugh

    I thank the great spirit for your good fortune privelege...

    Blessed be to you and your children.

    Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/08/2009 @ 03:38PM PT

  44. Bukola  oriola

    Congratulations Privilege. I am happy that you were granted justice, even though, it took so long. As a survivor of human trafficking in the United States myself, I knew what your pain felt like. Now,I would like you to join other advocates of victims of human trafficking to set others free as I am doing by educating the public.

    Posted by Bukola oriola on 11/14/2009 @ 04:39PM PT

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Amanda Kloer

Amanda has been a full-time abolitionist for six years. During that time, she has created reports, documentaries and training materials on human trafficking in the United States and around the world.

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