Ed in the News
Human trafficking survivors tell stories by Chris Haire for the Orange County RegisterA congressman honors women who tell their stories publicly in the fight to stop the crime.
Cody Foute placed her hand over her mouth, trying – and ultimately failing – to hold back tears. They were not, however, tears of sadness or grief – which would have been expected from the 27-year-old Riverside woman who had just explained to 30 people at Rep. Ed Royce’s Brea office how she became a victim of sex trafficking when she was 15 years old.
Cody Foute placed her hand over her mouth, trying – and ultimately failing – to hold back tears. They were not, however, tears of sadness or grief – which would have been expected from the 27-year-old Riverside woman who had just explained to 30 people at Rep. Ed Royce’s Brea office how she became a victim of sex trafficking when she was 15 years old. Her tears were of gratitude and happiness as Royce (R-Fullerton) handed her a certificate of Congressional recognition Friday afternoon for being a voice in the effort to end human trafficking. Foute received the honor with four other women who, over the course of an hour, also told stories, which collectively included manipulation, coercion, degradation, rape, torture, beatings and fear. |
