We hear about human trafficking on the news, see the signs in airport bathrooms, and read headlines online — but rarely do we imagine it affecting the girl next door. The reality is, sex trafficking is happening in every state, including right here in Arizona.

Arizona ranks 13th in the nation for sex trafficking. 

Yet south of Phoenix, there is only one long-term restorative care sanctuary for survivors: Hope Rising Arizona. Executive Director Andy Thomas shares that 80% of women who don’t receive care end up returning to their abusers — a heartbreaking reality that highlights the urgent need for safe, restorative spaces. In this article, we share the story of Selena, a survivor who now serves as Hope Rising’s Residential Program Director.

Selena’s journey is both harrowing and deeply redemptive — a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the restoring power of God.

Selena grew up in a suburb of Phoenix. She was the girl next door: a straight-A student, an accomplished musician, and a self-described “orchestra dork.” But at just eight years old, her innocence was shattered by a family member’s exploitation — an event that was quickly swept under the rug.

Searching for belonging, Selena turned to the culture around her. Role models of her generation were celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears — figures whose chaotic lives glamorized rebellion and self-destruction. Struggling with instability and substance abuse, Selena eventually sought opportunities in the modeling world. Instead, she was pulled into the porn industry, believing it would offer freedom and success.

The reality was far darker.

Selena was quickly groomed and exploited. A porn agent eventually told her she wasn’t “good enough” for performing — but offered her a new opportunity: prostitution. Selena was sent on tours where she endured unimaginable trauma, and eventually was trafficked overseas. Controlled by violence, surveillance, and fear, she was trapped for nearly a year before courageously escaping, taking two other women with her.

Even after returning to the U.S., freedom was not immediate. Traffickers followed her, threatening her safety. Selena battled addiction, homelessness, and the scars of severe trauma. It wasn’t until she entered a long-term faith-based program that true healing began.

Selena’s story is one of incredible redemption.

Through her journey of recovery, she found Jesus — the One who rescued and restored her. Today, Selena is married, a mother, and a fierce advocate for survivors. As Residential Director at Hope Rising Arizona, she now walks alongside women who have survived similar horrors, helping them rebuild their lives with hope, dignity, and faith.

Selena’s advice to parents?

 Stay involved. Know who your teens are talking to, especially online. If someone claims to offer modeling or entertainment opportunities, research them thoroughly — and never let your child meet them alone.

Her message to young women?

“What seems glamorous is often a trap. One year in the industry can take a lifetime to heal from.” Selena’s story reminds us that trafficking isn’t a distant issue. It’s local. It’s personal. And it’s preventable. Through organizations like Hope Rising Arizona, survivors like Selena are reclaiming their stories — one life at a time.

You can hear Selena’s whole story on Episode #145 of Living the Reclaimed Life Podcast

If you or someone you know needs help, or if you’d like to support Hope Rising Arizona’s vital work, visit hoperisingarizona.com.