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Fainess’ employer took away her passport, locked her in the house, and disconnected the phone whenever they left home. Fainess had to sleep on the basement floor. The boss shouted, and physically and sexually abused her.
She worked — literally — all the time. Fainess cared for children, cleaned, and did household chores. At night, she was put to work at the family’s commercial cleaning business. Her employer didn’t pay Fainess for three months. When they finally did pay her, she received less than 40 cents an hour.
She reflects:
I was used, like I was not a person. I became sick. I thought I would die alone. I was so isolated, I had no idea there was help available. I didn’t speak English well, and I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know what trafficking was.
Fainess took brave steps to eventually leave her trafficker. It took a long time to find safety, support, and physical recovery. And she is still fighting for the restitution she deserves.
She shares:
Today I’m working, and I’m advocating for survivors of human trafficking. I am healing. I want to help others do the same.
As a monthly donor, you become a North Star Guide and help:
- Fight for a Washington, D.C. Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights to give workers the tools they need to protect themselves and make it more difficult for traffickers to exploit them;
- Advocate for a federal Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights so workers across the nation are protected.
You can open a path to freedom — protecting vulnerable people. Please give today, joining Fainess to help others heal.
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