Liana was 14 years old the first time her mother sold her for sex.
Liana’s mother left when she was too young to remember, and her father was killed in a motorcycle accident when she was 8.
Orphaned and alone, she was taken in by her grandparents.
"In our home," they promised, "you will never suffer.”
Though her mother would visit occasionally, she would drink heavily and use drugs.
"I didn’t want to talk to her anymore”, Liana shared with us.
To protect Liana, her grandfather tried to keep her mother away, but eventually, Liana went to visit her mother.
Almost overnight, the house became a prison.
At 14, Liana was enslaved and sold for sex by her own mother.
Every day—often multiple times a day – Liana was raped by men young and old.
Liana’s stepfather also helped with the lucrative sex business, hauling her to different men around the country.
If she refused, her mom threatened to kill her.
"I obeyed," Liana remembers. "I didn't want her to hurt me."
After nearly five months of constant abuse, Liana returned home and told her grandparents about what she had been through.
Her grandfather immediately contacted the police and, within weeks, officials arrested Liana’s mother and referred the case to IJM.
We took on Liana’s case and sent her to a safe house where she was provided with counselling and trauma-focused therapy.
Because of your support, Liana’s mother was convicted for sex trafficking and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Her stepfather was also arrested and convicted for his role in her exploitation.
Today, Liana is safe and continuing to heal.
Will you give today to ensure safety for girls like Liana?
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