The Signs We Missed: A Mother's Story of Her Daughter's Trafficking

In this powerful and necessary episode of Groove with Portia, I honor Human Trafficking Awareness Month with a conversation that many families live, but few feel safe enough to share.I’m joined by Monica Estevez, a mother whose daughter survived human trafficking. Monica shares her family’s journey after her daughter was trafficked following connections made in New York in 2022. Despite widespread social media efforts and community support, her daughter was missing for over a year before finally being located and brought home.Monica speaks openly about the reality that survival does not mean healing is complete. She shares the signs of exploitation many people overlook, the severe trauma her daughter experienced upon returning home, and the challenges families face when mental health care is refused or unavailable. We talk about hallucinations, violence, drug use, and the emotional toll placed on parents who are desperately trying to protect their child while honoring their autonomy.This episode also explores the role of social media in reuniting families, the dangers young women face in certain environments, and the grooming tactics used to control victims. Monica emphasizes that awareness alone is not enough. Survivors need proper mental health care, medication, and long-term support, and families need education and community resources.Throughout our conversation, Monica returns to faith as a source of strength and hope. She shares how prayer and persistence have helped her witness a slow but meaningful turnaround in her daughter’s life. Monica also speaks about using social media to connect with other parents and caregivers walking a similar path.This episode is for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone who wants to better understand the hidden realities of human trafficking and the long road to healing that follows.