Elizabeth Quiroz on Clubhouse

Bio

I am a 36-year old OVERCOMER of human trafficking, and I am determined to use my experience to help others escape the demoralizing and tormenting victimization of human trafficking. Not only do I want to help victims, but I also want to help improve how law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the community can support them with compassion and understanding.
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My childhood was a life of physical abuse and a family of gang members, drug addicts, and alcoholics who spent time in and out of jail. Inevitably, I ended up in foster care and soon found myself on the same path as my family. I ran away from foster care right into the arms of my trafficker. For years, I was addicted to drugs and trafficked on the streets of San Francisco. I was arrested numerous times and eventually lost custody of my son. That was a pivotal moment in my life, the day I took a stand. Never again would I be victimized.
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Simply breaking away was not enough. I was determined to use my experience with traffickers and the criminal justice system to help other victims of sex trafficking. First, I needed to go back to school, establish relationships with community leaders, and educate others about sex trafficking. I received an Associate in Arts degree in Social Advocacy, Behavioral Science, and Human Services, all with honors. I am obtaining my B.A. degree at Sonoma University and then transferring to UC Berkeley’s Public Policy Graduate program. In 2018, I received a full and unconditional Pardon from Governor Brown. I serve on the Sonoma County Human Trafficking Task Force and speak nationally about sex trafficking.
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I wholeheartedly believe that a compassionate and trauma-informed approach from people working with trafficking victims can increase positive outcomes.

Today, for individuals like me, we are given two paths. We can move on with our lives and never speak of what God has brought us out of, or we can go back into the burning building and save as many souls as we can and bring them to freedom with us. This is the path I choose today!! #humantraffickingawarenessmonth #humantraffickingsurvivors #overcomer #endhumantrafficking #redeemed #PraiseGodAlways #speakyourtruth #beconsistent