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Health & Fitness

Why Tampa Needs a House

Listen in as Michelle Walker, of Miracles Outreach, explains the urgent need for a house in Tampa that's specifically designed for girls who have been commercially sexually exploited.

I shifted my weight on the oversized recliner, trying not to knock over the boxes of files stacked in Michelle Walker’s office.

She was poised and calm, and in spite of her crowded calendar, Michelle had generously carved out an hour to talk with us about the mission and future dreams of Miracles Outreach, Fresh Start Residential Program, a local non-profit comprised of group homes for teenagers within the foster care system.  A couple girls popped in and out of the office, a hot pink cell phone was needed by one, a few documents filed in a cabinet by another.

I wondered what the stories were behind the pretty smiles, underneath the seemingly innocent laughter that drifted into the office while we talked.

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“We really need a house that’s just for girls who were in the life.” Michelle stated.

I knew that “in the life” meant what’s commonly called “prostitution,” but more accurately understood as “commercially sexually exploited.” At Miracles Outreach, they’re dealing with children, girls under the age of 18, who were removed from their homes for one reason or another and are now under the protection of the state.

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“Some of the girls here were in the life.”

I tried not to gasp, just nod and pretend I wasn’t shocked.  I wanted to gawk, crane my neck to see out into the living room where the Justin Bieber fan sat with legs crossed on the couch next to the hot pink cell phone owner, texting away.

“Dominique? The girl who was just in here with the file? Her pimp was actually a woman. She would make her clean houses with her during the day and then would pimp her at night.”

“Why didn’t she run?” This is probably the most commonly asked question around this topic.

“She was afraid. Her pimp threatened her. Told her she’d kill her if she ever attempted it. She threatened her family as well.  She pimped her all up and down the Florida Panhandle before Dominique finally ran.”

Dominique eventually was placed in one of Michelle’s houses at Miracles Outreach, where she progressed well, got her GED and successfully “aged out” of the program. Now, Dominique works in Miracles’ Leadership Academy, alongside other girls, mentoring, helping, and even accompanying Michelle to events to share her story at times.   

Dominique is a success story.

But not all are.

“We just had a girl, like three months ago, who was in the life up in Jacksonville. Her pimp got arrested and is serving time up there. DCF transferred her down to us because she’s still trying to work for him, bail him out, send him money. They were trying to cut her ties with him, but she wouldn’t have it. She’d beg me for an hour of free time to leave the house.

Whatcha wanna do with just an hour, Melia?’ I’d ask her.

‘Ms. Walker? I can make more money in one hour than you make in a week!’”

We’re laughing now, an unintended response to the shock and audacity of it all.  

“Some girls, they just stay bonded to their pimps. Can’t see that they’re abused, taken advantage of.  They’re still recruiting for him, still working for him in their heads.”

Michelle sobered up, lost the smile she had only moments before.

“When Melia ran, she took two girls with her. That’s why we need a house for these girls.”

Michelle explained that a house that’s exclusively tailored for commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC) would be able to meet their unique needs—needs that the current model cannot.  When the girls in the house all share the common experience of having been exploited, there’s more openness, more vulnerability, less judgment. The group sessions can focus on healing and restoration, the facilitators can be more direct and specific with their therapy.

“There will be more resources available for these girls. We’re partnering with Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and other local agencies. These girls’ stories are more complicated and we need trained psychologists who understand how to work with girls with trauma bonds, girls who might still care for their pimps.”

Michelle also pointed out that a home for CSEC girls would protect girls who weren’t exploited and are  in the system for different reasons.

“When you have a girl like Melia who’s been in the life, but isn’t ready to leave, it puts other girls at risk for recruitment. A house exclusively tailored for CSEC girls eliminates that risk. They’ve all been there—there’s no illusion, no fantasy, of what the life might be like.”

Location is another important factor. Michelle’s current houses are scattered throughout urban Tampa Bay. A house for CSEC girls would be more removed from city life—nowhere near strip clubs or other hot spots for recruitment by pimps.

The good news is that a house for CSEC girls is finally becoming a reality. Michelle is working closely with Redefining Refuge, a non-profit in Tampa that’s working to raise awareness about domestic minor sex trafficking and is raising money for a house. Natasha Nascimento, founder of Redefining Refuge, has been working towards the goal of a house for over two years.

Would Melia have run if she had been in a home, in a program, designed just for her? We would hope not. The journey from victim to survivor is a long and arduous one and is not quite linear. Girls will run at times, but when they’re exposed to unconditional love and are connected with adults within a safe and caring community, the hope is that they’ll come back. Dominique and Melia are just two stories of girls exploited in our own backyard, each with a different ending, for now.  

With a house on the horizon, it’s Michelle’s and Natasha’s hope that the tide will slowly turn, one success story at a time.

Want an easy and fun way to help with the housing project? Redefining Refuge is hosting their 2nd Annual Derby Day Do on Saturday, May 5, at the Martini Republic in downtown Tampa, from 5-10 p.m. Tickets are $20 online; $25 at the door and all proceeds will benefit the 2012 housing project. Click here for more information and to buy your ticket.

 

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