**This episode contains depictions of violence, including sexual violence. This episode was recorded in conjunction with a breakout session on storytelling at Proclaim Truth. How does God redeem a life spent in slavery? Rebekah (Bekah) Charleston was trafficked for 10 years as a teen and young adult. Her story of rescue and healing inspires thousands around the nation as a warrior, rather than a victim, for those still in bondage. Bekah Charleston is a nationally respected leader and a dynamic public speaker whose story of survival, triumph, and determination has been featured in communities across the United States and at the national level by numerous media outlets including Deadline Crimes, Daystar, Dallas Morning News, and the New York Post. After enduring a decade of abuse and exploitation, she built a career dedicated to the empowerment of Survivors and focused on community collaboration at all levels. In 2013, she launched Bekah Speaks Out to provide customized training and consultancy services to law enforcement, service providers, and community leaders alike. Since then, she has earned degrees in criminal justice and criminology, filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Nevada over the legalized prostitution industry, and worked with senators to advocate for the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act which provides victims the opportunity to vacate or expunge federal convictions resulting from their victimization. She previously served as the executive director of a non-profit that provided emergency housing, advocacy, and customized care to sexually exploited individuals and their families where she managed daily operations, programming, and community outreach initiatives. She has been an active member of the Fort Worth and Dallas Human Trafficking Task Forces for several years, has been publicly recognized for her critical work in the anti trafficking field, and has delivered a passionate talk at TEDx entitled “Tragedy to Triumph” that focused on the importance of resilience. In her current role, Bekah serves as the Strategic Initiatives Director at The Jensen Project, where she manages projects, partnerships and strategic initiatives that help fuel the end of sexual violence by identifying best practices and leveraging resources to raise the bar at a local and national level. Through her personal and professional platforms, she provides guidance and coaching for program development, strategic planning, and economic empowerment initiatives for survivors of trafficking. Dedicated to creating sustainable changes in policy, culture, and victim-centered responses, Bekah continues to educate audiences on the evolving dynamics of survival, from trauma to healing to community reintegration, and all of the challenges in between. In 2020, her advocacy efforts came full circle when Bekah herself was granted a full pardon by the President of the United States for crimes she was forced to commit during her victimization, reminding us all to hold steadfast to hope and to never stop fighting for justice. Speaking from the heart, she delivers a message of hope rooted in science, empathy, self empowerment, and transferable skillsets that every audience can grasp. Bekah’s goal is not only to change perceptions, but to leave a legacy that demonstrates the dignity and strength of Survivorship. For more about Rebekah : http://www.bekahspeaksout.com/ Proclaim Truth Conference : https://www.proclaimtruth.com/conference2021 Other Resources: www.valianthearts.org Music Written By Andrew Dean Piland ; Performed By Gold Coast; Produced By Gold Coast https://app.soundstripe.com/songs?filter%5Bq%5D=retreat+gold --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/redeemedpod/support
