Courtroom Testimony: From Exploitation to Transformation

October 23, 2024

story

“Lucy” was facing several criminal charges. Her past was painful. Her future grim. She was considered high risk for future sexual exploitation, given multiple traumatic abusive relationships that resulted in her being sex-trafficked as a child.

Thankfully, Lucy was eligible to participate in a specialty docket in Franklin County known as the Youth Empowerment Court Program. As part of the court’s education and intervention services, the program helps divert youth from further involvement with the juvenile justice system through effective treatments to strengthen families and restore the lives of troubled youth.

Specifically for youth offenders who have been exploited by human trafficking, Empowerment Court provides in other ways as well, such as counseling, schooling and the sealing of charges.

Like other teens in her situation, she was also referred to Gracehaven for case management services.

“We started meeting weekly to build rapport and work through relevant topics such as healthy relationships, appropriate online boundaries and managing conflicts,” explained Gracehaven case manager, Elisabeth Prentis. “Lucy asked me about my faith, and I was able to share the Gospel and what it means to be a Christian. She even asked to get involved in a youth group to make her faith her own.”

After Lucy completed the Empowerment Court program and her Gracehaven treatment plan, she credited her success to God. With newfound freedom and hope, Lucy shared a powerful message of transformation with the entire courtroom at her recent graduation ceremony.

“She told everyone what she had learned throughout her time in the Empowerment and Gracehaven programs, and she shared her future goals,” said Elisabeth. “She concluded her graduation speech by boldly sharing the Good News about Jesus and how she felt the Lord had been with her throughout every part of her story. She stated that she is convinced now more than ever that she is loved unconditionally.”

Not only was Lucy’s criminal record completely expunged, but she has also since been accepted into several colleges! She is set to graduate high school in the spring. Lucy has a passion for sharing her story and hopes to encourage many others to take a similar, positive direction in their lives.