This book is the story of Barbara Amaya based on her recollections. The horrors that she dealt with in her life will make you cry. The fact that she was able to save herself and use what she lived through to help save others is heroic.

Barbara left home at the age of twelve after being sexually abused by her father and older brother. She did not think anyone would believe her and that she was not loved or wanted. After heading off to Washington DC and getting involved in drugs, she was returned to her parents. After repeatedly running away, her parents were convinced to give up their parental rights to the state. That started in motion the sex trafficking that became the life for the next 3 to 4 years. Being beaten by her pimp, becoming hooked on heroin, being arrested and eventually sent to Riker's Prison finally resulted in her telling them her real name and age. This still did not get her to return home. She continued to use drugs off and on for years and eventually got mixed up with an alcoholic that almost killed her. It was not until her daughter ran away from home and she saw a news report of local teens being caught up in human trafficking that she realized she had to tell the truth to her daughter and get some help for herself so that she could help others.

Barbara Amaya is an award winning advocate and survivor of human trafficking helps vulnerable populations, potential victims and those who work with them learn how to avoid falling prey to human traffickers. The back of the book contains resources and suggestions for Parents, counsellors, teachers, Medical Personnel, Law Enforcement and Young Women and Men.

This is a great book to be used in highschool health classes, college and universities training any number of professionals. The average person could gain insight into the problem as well as to see how easily a young person can get caught up in "the life

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )