Sex Trafficking – How One Woman Survived and How she has turned Hell into Hope | POW18

In this episode we are talking with January Riggin, she shares her story, the truth about sex trafficking, how she has survived sex trafficking, drug addiction, loss of a child and prison. She is a true survivor and is giving hope with her incredible work on the streets of Salt Lake City. We are not the same after this episode and we are grateful to her for this, we know you won’t be either.

About the Guest:

January Riggin is the Founder and Executive Director of Soap2Hope, which builds awareness, offers resources, and advocates for women, men, and teenagers who have been sexually exploited, sex trafficked, and are working in the sex trade.  Soap2Hope’s Social Prevention Program provides weekly night outreach that includes harm reduction strategies and peer support with mobile crisis intervention, victim advocacy, case management, and community resources.  January, who was trafficked as a teen, battled addiction, criminalization, and trauma, is passionate about serving this vulnerable population working to bring hope and awareness to this forgotten population. 

Soap2hopeut.com

About the Host:

DeAnna Robbins - is a lover of learning and connecting with REAL people. A Grandma of 4, mom of 4 and wife of one. Her role of being "middle aged" is the current Life Lesson. How to take care of aging parents, be a mom, step mom, wife and professional woman, oh the fun. DeAnna has seen the dark and ugly side of abuse, alcoholism and suffering but believes you are either a victim or a player. She chose to be a player. DeAnna has been in Real Estate since 1997. Serving as President of the Salt Lake Board of Realtors and President of the Utah Association of Realtors. Currently serving on the board of directors for UtahRealEstate.com and two Committee's for the National Association, she remains heavily involved. DeAnna is managing a successful Sotheby's International Realty office in Draper, Utah. DeAnna's passion for people and commitment to personal development has inspired her to do a podcast. "I would not be who I am today, were it not for great authors, entrepreneurs, therapists and incredible humans I call friends".  She is excited for this new journey to grow, learn and live inspired for the next half of her life. 

Cristie North is a wife, mother of 6 and grandmother of 2.  She just turned 50 and is learning to navigate the reality of empty nesting.  She has endured trials of divorce, alcohol abuse, blended family and grief. She celebrates every part of her journey as her belief is that each challenge makes us the remarkable, complicated beautiful souls we are today. She has been in the mortgage industry for over 28 years and currently manages a top producing mortgage company in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She is also the founder of the Taylor Hagen Memorial Foundation which brings awareness to suicide prevention and mental health awareness, the foundation was started in honor of her son Taylor after losing him to suicide.  Since losing her son she has committed to being more present in living her life, to honor herself and to be more open to every opportunity. This podcast is a way for her to continue her journey and commitment to learning and growing in this next chapter.

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