In July 2000, the sky over the coastal city of East London, South Africa was bright and cloudless; the air roared with the sounds of seagulls and laughter—a beautiful day for a surfing competition. Fifteen-year-old …
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Choose How You Will Be Remembered in a Shark Attack
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Are You Ready to Roar with Me?
I am a one-percenter. No, not that one percent. This one: one percent of children who were trafficked for sex survive to adulthood. Even fewer of us thrive through the briars of the trauma to …
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Success & Fear: When Exhaustion Whispers
There is an ancient story that tonight, I feel in my bones. The moment after a great victory can be a time of intense need. It’s like rawness intersects with both truth and our vulnerability …
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Advocacy Out of Reach?
Four years, four months, four days ago. Everywhere I looked, the news, articles, social media, and tv, blasted the pictures of the two men who raped me and beckoned anyone who knew anything about them …
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No Man’s Land
I was reminded today that some of my posts might imply I’m on the other side of the battle—risen and racing ferociously through to advocacy for survivors. Having it all together. Strong. Warrior. Clean post-battle …
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Today I Gave Up
Today I gave up. My soul crashed. What am I fighting for? What are we kicking at? The deep wells of anguish rose in my voice as I left my advocate a message: the uphill …
BilliJoy 