Read Time: 1 min.

Abused & Sold at 11 Years Old

“Hola, my name is Yocasta and I am 21 years old. I currently live at Casa Azul with my four children. My life was very bad before I became an Artisan. I was sexually abused my entire childhood by my father and was sold at 11 years old to a man I did not love.

“Over the past two years my life has changed dramatically, and my life has been restored, but I know this is only the beginning to the work ahead of me.” – Yocasta

Her New Normal

My favorite color is green, and my favorite food is Dominican rice and chicken. I want to be a police officer when I am older, and I hope to empower and protect other young girls who have been victimized by abuse and trafficking. Now, I’m free, I’m happy and my life has changed. 

“My four beautiful children will be the first generation in my family to grow up in a safe home without poverty, violence, sexual abuse or trafficking.” – Yocasta

Empowered by Hope

I know my story has power and I want to help others in the future. I’m currently working on my education in order to return to school and gain my high school diploma. I came into the program not being able to read or write and now I can write my own name.”

“I love my four children: Jael, Enrique, Domingo and Johanna. Everything I do is for them and to provide the best quality of life.” – Yocasta

“My dream is to have my own home and to keep moving forward, leaving the past behind.”

– Yocasta, Trafficking Survivor & Artisan in the Dominican Republic