An Iola woman hopes to use her story to raise awareness about sexual trafficking.
Chasidy Miller, age 24, shared her story Tuesday evening during a discussion on human trafficking at Allen Community College. Sociology instructor Anne Marie Foley kicked off the conversation by explaining the different types of trafficking and how to recognize their signs as well as how to prevent trafficking.
Trafficking uses force, fraud or coercion to induce someone to perform an act against their will. It could be for purposes of sex or labor. Foley discussed definitions and how governments recognize and enforce laws against trafficking.
There is no defining characteristic that all human trafficking victims share, Foley said. Victims and survivors span racial, ethnic, gender, class and national backgrounds.
However, there are some circumstances that make people more vulnerable to trafficking including poverty, limited English proficiency, lack of lawful immigration status, lack of stable or safe housing, and limited educational opportunities.
Marginalized communities are more likely to be affected, Foley said. That includes children in the welfare or criminal justice system, runaway or homeless youth, people of color, LGBT+ individuals, migrant laborers, persons with disabilities and individuals with substance use disorder.
MILLER’S STORY begins with substance use. She grew up in Yates Center among family members who used drugs and ended up using, too.
In 2019, she moved to Iola and began spending time with a drug dealer.
In no time, a woman warned Miller that he would try to traffic her and offered her a place to stay.
Miller took the woman up, only to realize it was a trap. Miller was forbidden to leave the home under threat of bodily harm.
“The first couple days, nothing too crazy happened,” Miller said. “She took me to the gas station, bought me drinks. I stayed at her house. I was not allowed to talk to anyone. I had to let her answer for me.
“The third night, things took a turn.”
Miller was offered what she believed were methamphetamines; she now suspects she was given fentanyl. She took the drugs and passed out, weaving in and out of consciousness. At one point, she was raped. Later, she heard the woman on the phone apparently making plans to take Miller to Houston and then to Mexico, and sell her for $5,500.
She waited until the occupants of the home went to bed, then fled.
She attempted to report the incident but because she was on drugs at the time, officers didn’t believe her. She was arrested on suspicion of filing a false report and spent two weeks in jail.
