Cassie's Story
PCA believes strongly that understanding and responding to the needs of commercially sexually exploited youth in Philadelphia is critical, and we are committed to providing every child victim of sex trafficking with the same comprehensive care and coordinated response as other referrals to our facility.
PCA conducts forensic interviews of the younger victims, and our partners in the Human Trafficking Task Force conduct the interviews for older teens. While PCA does not conduct every forensic interview of these child victims, we work closely with police and the Department of Human Services (DHS) to make sure that every child still has access to the full constellation of services including medical and mental health treatment.
Due to a long and complex history of abuse, Cassie had exceptional
challenges to overcome. After multiple cases of assault in a home
she shared with her biological mother, Cassie was in and out of foster
care, struggling to settle and find her place.
Unfortunately, things for Cassie got much worse before they started to
get better. Cassie ended up on the run for almost a full year, an active victim
of child human trafficking. While she thought she would be better on her
own, Cassie ended up stuck in a vicious cycle.
With support, PCA was able to help Cassie access a consistent treatment
schedule and resources. Every week in therapy, Cassie showed more of her
smiles, laughter, and truth. PCA still might not know Cassie’s full
story, but our staff has the skill, patience, and compassion to help her
find her way.
***
"Cassie’s weeks and hours of silence were spent in preparation for
the moment in which she felt safe, seen, and heard in therapy.
After she began to open up, she began to heal. The road ahead
of Cassie will not be easy, but PCA will be here for her as long as she
needs us."
"Cassie’s weeks and hours of silence were spent in preparation for
the moment in which she felt safe, seen, and heard in therapy.
After she began to open up, she began to heal. The road ahead
of Cassie will not be easy, but PCA will be here for her as long as she
needs us."
