Woman Rising: Surviving Human Trafficking

When people hear that someone was trafficked, it’s often assumed they were kidnapped and forced into labor against their will. Trafficking can be much more insidious. People are often exploited by someone they already know.

In this photo documentary, we listen to the story of Cary Stuart, an American survivor of forced commercial sexual exploitation, who was lured into the world of trafficking by a romantic partner or, “Romeo Pimp.” In the series she reflects on her experience, the way it has impacted her mental state, and the ongoing challenges of working through drug addiction while being a mother.

Cary Stuart stands at the threshold of her childhood home in Kennedy Park, a neighborhood nestled in East Bayside, Portland, Maine.

Trafficked into ‘the life’ at 23 years old, Cary Stuart spent the next seven years isolated, beaten, drugged, and frequently moved between states, forced to sell herself. Despite enduring the most difficult of circumstances, Cary emerged from the horrors of trafficking strong and determined to rewrite her story. The series follows Cary over a four-year time frame as she strives to reclaim her truth. The mother of a teen son, and two young boys, 3-year-old Tristin and 1-year-old Jay, Cary’s love and dedication to them are evident and one of the focal points of the project. She says her goal is to model confidence and self-worth, teaching her sons to respect and defend girls and women — and it’s this passion that sets Cary apart.

Portland, Maine, like many urban areas, faces its own set of challenges when it comes to poverty. In recent years, the city has grappled with rising housing costs, homelessness, and limited access to comprehensive healthcare and social services. These socio-economic factors create an environment where individuals and families can become vulnerable to exploitation.

For those caught in the web of human trafficking, like Cary Stuart, these vulnerabilities are magnified. Trafficked individuals often come from backgrounds marked by poverty, lack of social support, and limited access to economic opportunities. This precarious situation can make them more susceptible to manipulation and coercion by traffickers who exploit their need for stability and security.

Cary showcases a feather tattoo on her left wrist, a symbol of her resilience, which she explains conceals scars from past attempts to take her own life. It serves as a symbol within the "Woman Rising" narrative.

Survivors of sex trafficking face an alarming rate of mental health challenges, including a high risk of suicide. While specific statistics can vary, studies indicate that individuals who have endured sex trafficking are significantly more likely to experience depression, PTSD, and other severe mental health issues, which can lead to a heightened suicide risk. Research suggests that the prevalence of PTSD among trafficking survivors is exceptionally high, with some studies indicating rates comparable to those of war veterans. The trauma experienced by survivors of sex trafficking can profoundly impact their mental health, leading to an increased risk of suicide attempts and ideation.

In the quiet sanctuary of her bedroom, a resilient survivor of sex trafficking thoughtfully selects earrings, preparing herself for the day's journey to the methadone clinic. This moment, captured in the morning light, symbolizes not just her battle against addiction but her commitment to healing and reclaiming her life, step by step.

Cary's childhood was spent in DHS custody. Both her parents were alcoholics. At age 14, she was committed to the Maine Youth Center. "I was held there on a tracking program till I was 18. I was the worst kid in there because, I figured, I couldn't go home. I felt like, I wasn't wanted and nobody loved me. I would sit by the window every Sunday for visits and nobody would come. I would go to my room and breakdown. I became very self-destructive and became my own worst enemy there. I would try to escape but that just got me more time. I caused riots and just didn't care anymore. I became hurt, angry, and felt so abandoned. I became suicidal. I tried to hang myself and cut myself often."

At age 23, Cary met her first trafficker. "I was standing in front a hotel when this man started talking to me. I could not belief that he was interested in me. He was dressed really nice and drove a black Mercedes. I was really impressed and was seriously deceived. Before I knew it, I was in his car going to NYC. He promised he we would travel and he would help me with my modeling career. But none of that happened.” She agrees to go to NYC with him. When she arrives in what she thought was NYC- turns out to be Atlantic City, there she is sold and forced to prostitute herself.

Cary Stuart and Mary Irace, Salvation Army's Tools for Life Director, shop for presentation attire for Cary to attend a panel discussion for her upcoming film Woman Rising at the Portland Salvation Army store on Aug. 2023. Cary receives ongoing support from the Tools for Life Program and though the years has developed a close relationship with Mary.

Cary, trying to dress herself while under the influence of illegal substance in her home, Biddeford, ME. Addiction to drugs and alcohol can be both a vulnerability to trafficking, and a common tactic used by traffickers to make victims more compliant. "I ended up getting really heavy into drugs when I was being exploited with my pimps. They would either dose or withhold to keep me coming back " January 2019, July 2021, and January 2022 Cary relapses. Each time she is admitted to a drug rehabilitation facially for 3 months.

Cary, during a drug relapse in her home in Biddeford, ME. "Once an addict always an addict. I'll always struggle with my addiction. I must take it one day at a time. I just feel like a part of me has died."

During a visit to the Maine Youth Center, Cary reflects on the challenging chapters of her early life, marked by a childhood under the custody of the Department of Human Services. By the age of 14, she found herself committed to the Center, embroiled in a tracking program until she turned 18. Cary shares, "I was labeled the 'worst kid' there, driven by a sense of abandonment. The belief that I was unloved and unwanted enveloped me, shaping my actions and my view of the world."

The National Center for Juvenile Justice highlights a stark reality: approximately 60% of child sex trafficking victims have had interactions with the child welfare system. The lack of stable family environments significantly heightens the risk of exploitation, making youth like Cary prime targets for traffickers. Her story, while unique in its specifics, echoes the vulnerabilities faced by countless others in Portland, Maine, and beyond—vulnerabilities rooted in the trauma of neglect, abuse, and the profound disruption of being removed from home.

Cary's journey into the dark world of commercial sexual exploitation began with the allure of a modeling career in New York, a dream dangled by a trafficker who preyed on her need for acceptance and belonging. This narrative is all too common among children in the foster care system, who may already carry the heavy burdens of prior sexual abuse and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including homelessness, a history of running away, or neglect. Cary's story is a powerful testament to the complex interplay of factors that contribute to the risk of trafficking, underscoring the critical need for awareness, intervention, and support for those most vulnerable.

Cary Stuart, engaging in trauma therapy, women's groups, and drug counseling weekly " I dedicate myself to these steps, all for the well-being of my children and myself. The road is long, marked by mental illness, night terrors, PTSD, and dissociative personality disorder, scars from a past that tried to break me. Despite the critical need, survivors of gender violence in the U.S. face a stark reality: a significant lack of funding for mental health services. This gap in resources often makes recovery feel like an uphill battle, yet I persevere, driven by the hope of reclaiming the life and peace that were once stolen from me."

In a heartfelt reunion, Cary, a survivor leader, shares a warm embrace with Sgt. Tim Farris, co-founder of the Greater Portland Coalition Against Sex Trafficking and Exploitation, marking their first meeting in seven years. Reflecting on their history, Cary credits Sgt. Farris with not only her education about the dangers of trafficking but also with saving her life during her darkest times. "He saw hope in me when I couldn't," she says, recounting how his stark warning and unwavering support ignited a transformative journey. "His words catalyzed my path to becoming the survivor leader I am today." Grateful for his profound impact and dedication to shifting from enforcement to empowerment, Cary expresses deep appreciation and love for the man who played a pivotal role in her survival and advocacy. This moment of gratitude and recognition underscores the powerful bond formed in the fight against trafficking and the significance of support and understanding in the healing process.

Cary nulls her 4-week old son, Jay, to sleep in her living room, Biddeford, Maine.

Cary and her 1 year old son, Jay, play in the living room, Biddeford, Maine.

At age 30, Cary was arrested for prostitution in New York. "When the Office of Affairs brought me in, I ended up getting extradited to Florida. I got 18 months in prison there. That changed my life forever. I had to do a lot of self-help and as I read more books I wanted to know more and more. It helped me make sense of everything. I started to recover and heal. I had to go way back to childhood and deal with everything. I was able to heal from all my childhood trauma for the most part while I was in prison. While serving time in prison, I was chosen for a new recovery group. While there, I worked on developing integrity, morals, and self-worth. The only thing was I couldn't talk or recover from what I went through in human trafficking. There was too much stigma and people are so ignorant. I would be looked at as a hooker and a whore. For the longest time, I blamed myself and felt dirty and degraded. I had to learn to love myself and forgive myself."

Cary and her son, Tristin, play outdoors at their home, Biddeford, Maine

Two-year-old Tristin is Cary's second child. Tristin was born without a cochlea in his left ear. He is hearing impaired. "I had Tristin when I was 'in the life'. In the back of my mind, I think his disability is from being choked during my pregnancy till I was unconscious more times than I can remember and punched in the stomach. But docs say it's genetics. Tristin is most likely the son of one of my pimps either Ramey or King. King was the worst pimp of all. He tried to kill me a few times by strangulation and was the pimp who started drugging me. King would lock me up in a room and leave me there for days. He had a bottom bitch who came to collect my money each morning. I had a quota of $1000.00 per night. Men came in constantly and I would have to have sex with them any way they wanted." After her 18-month prison sentence, Cary participated in an 8- month recovery program at Hope Rising in Maine. In recovery, she was asked to attend AAA meetings and domestic abuse support groups. At this point, it becomes clear what has happened to her is human trafficking. She then begins reading self-help books about trafficking survivors- one particular book is the Survivor Guide to learning by Racheal Lloyd. Cary quickly realized her clinical therapist, who runs the support groups, had very little experience working with trafficking survivors. Cary took it upon herself to start running the support groups using Rachel Lloyd’s guide book. She finishes the program at Hope Rising 8 months later. " I felt very proud. This felt important to me. It was during this time I could finally see myself – Self-realization. Until this point in my life, I was in constant worry about others. But now I felt I could worry about myself and help myself."

As a Human Trafficking Subject Matter Expert, Cary shared her profound journey during a workshop aimed at preventing human trafficking, hosted by the Salvation Army's Tools for Life Program. This initiative, part of the Salvation Army Citadel Maine Corps, offers a comprehensive series of life and career skill-building classes to participants in the Greater Portland, Maine community. With an array of topics such as stress management, career discovery, internet safety, and more, the program is designed to empower individuals with the skills needed for job seeking and personal development.

Cary's participation brought invaluable insights and positive takeaways to the workshop. Among the many empowering messages, she highlighted the therapeutic power of journaling in navigating through trauma and underscored the significance of owning and shaping one's narrative. Cary's story and guidance offered a beacon of hope and a toolkit for resilience, illustrating the profound impact of personal agency in overcoming adversity.

Cary and her 4-month-old son, Jay, find moments of happiness and reflection together in front of a bathroom mirror in Biddeford, Maine, a symbol of Cary's journey from darkness into light.

Having survived the brutal realities of sex trafficking, Cary has risen with a newfound purpose: to support other women, educate her community, advocate for legislation that aids survivors, mentor the vulnerable, and train law enforcement on compassionate victim identification.