From survivor to support: Local counselor shares path to healing

As Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close, Jackie Carlino, founder of Joyful Ranch Counseling, shares her experience of being trafficked and the path she took to overcome years of abuse, highlighting how trafficking occurs and the importance of early awareness.

Carlino’s abuse began very early — when she was a child — by a man who was in a relationship with her mother.

“He was not a good person,” Carlino said. “He sexually abused me, but he also trafficked me. He died when I was 4 years old, but by then it was too late — I was already in traffic rings and things like that. I was essentially trained to report to these people and do certain things.”