About Marie

Trigger warning***  content may be too disturbing for some***

But this is my life!

At 13 years old, I was trafficked internationally after being taken in by a trusted family friend who drugged and sold me multiple times a day out of a tiny bedroom in their 2 bedroom apartment for about a year until I finally escaped.  My struggle continued when I narrowly escaped one trafficker only to be captured by another, who sold me alongside 30 other children as "party favors" during their nightly parties.  These children's age ranged from 3 to 17.   Each night we would be positioned in a room that was set up like a showcase with red carpeted stairs.  They would position us kids on the stairs with nothing on but a number sticker on our chest.  It had a large one way mirrored window for them to see in so they could pick their child for the hour.  I sat in between a 3 year old boy and a 4 year old girl.  They were picked often- sometimes twice a night.  The little boy always had a red matchbox car with him.  He would come back to the room after being abused and just start playing as if nothing happened. The little girl had a doll with no eyes.  It was so worn out because she hugged it for dear life.  

I was rescued when I turned 16.  I was the only one.

Shame, survivors guilt and fear of judgement kept me silent for over 40 years.  

 I survived so that I could speak for the boy with the Matchbox car and the girl with the ragdoll. We need to put an end to childhood sexual abuse once and for all!  I invite you to join me. We are a new non-profit and could really use your support.  

Through the Bondage2Freedom Inc, a Florida 501(c)(3) non-profit I founded in March 2025, I am committed to:

• Raising Awareness through Prevention Education:  We cannot be with our children 24/7. We need to arm them with the knowledge to protect themselves.  We are creating prevention education videos for children from preschool through 12th grade. These videos teach body safety, boundary, what to do when someone makes them feel uncomfortable and who to tell. Our goal is to provide these videos to every family, FREE of charge.  Our children are vulnerable to predators, so let's give them the tools they need to protect themselves in our absence.  Prevention is their only protection.
• Providing Support: We offer anonymous, peer-to-peer support groups for adult survivors, both locally and online, using a 12-step program to aid in the healing process.

The #Shame2Strength Movement

"As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I've walked a journey of pain, shame, and healing. But I've also discovered a profound purpose: to break the cycle of shame and empower others to do the same. Through my work with the #Shame2Strength movement, I'm dedicated to reframing shame as a societal issue and creating a community of support and solidarity. My goal is to help others transform their shame into strength, and to advocate for a world where survivors are heard, believed, and supported. I'm a passionate advocate, a dedicated listener, and a fierce believer in the power of community to heal and transform."

My Goal

My goal is to achieve the perfect balance between prevention education & aide in healing adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse that were not treated. To end the vicious cycle from abused to abuser.  I aim to create a world where survivors are heard, believed, and supported. Together, we can work to prevent childhood sexual abuse and end this vicious cycle.

Get in Touch

If you are looking for support or want to learn more about our work, please reach out. I am here to listen and to help in any way I can.