Moxie Talk with Kirt Jacobs #233: Amy Leenerts

Sexually abused as a young child, Amy was told that she was to blame for what happened to her-which set off something in her mind, & made her believe that whenever something negative happened, it was her fault." Abuse followed her throughout childhood including a traumatic rape at age 19. Amy often felt "marked," as though something inherently evil in her allowed abusers to find her. It was years before she gave up her rights to being a victim & began to live a healthy, restored life. Her perspective widened, & she began to notice others who suffered the effects of sexual abuse, exploitation, & human trafficking. Now she devotes much of her energy to finding new approaches to prevent human trafficking & other sex crimes against women & children throughout KY, & ultimately to help victims begin their journey toward health & wholeness. Through this perspective, she founded Free2Hope Inc., a non-profit devoted to prevention programs & public training on human trafficking with the long-term goals of mentoring survivors, job programs, a drop-in ctr, & establish a safe house for abused women & children in KY. On the way to that dream, she has garnered a number of awards, including In 2017, the Innovative Program Award from KY. Assoc. of Sexual Assault Programs & Nominated to the Survivor Council of KY. in 2016, The Voices for Victims Award from the Indiana Atty. Gnl. & in 2015, the Human Rights Award from the United Nations Assoc. Ky. Div. Kentucky Division & Liberator Award from KY. Rescue & Restore.