
Rachel New York City
In order to escape an alcoholic family Rachel dropped out of school at 13 and like so many girls who end up on the streets was recruited into the sex industry. After a failed suicide attempt she vowed change her life and help empower young women in need. She returned to school, earned a Master’s degree, and founded GEMS an organization at the forefront of the movement in the U.S. to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children. GEMS’ success is due to Rachel’s understanding of young victims and her ability to work with community leaders to change perceptions of commercially sexually exploited girls.