Statement from Faith Robles, Survivors’ Council Member

As a survivor-centered anti-trafficking organization dedicated to the prevention of child sex trafficking and exploitation, PACT is guided by its Survivors’ Council, which consists of members of diverse backgrounds with lived experience who inform our curricula, training materials, and legislative initiatives. Their contributions are integral to advancing PACT's work and mission. 

Faith Robles, who joined PACT’s Survivors’ Council in 2020, embodies strength and resilience. While her path was riddled with challenges, she emerged thriving thanks to the support and guidance she received. This past Spring, she celebrated a significant victory after learning that her traffickers’ appeal was denied, ensuring their continued imprisonment as initially ordered by the court – a major triumph not just for Faith, but survivors everywhere. She also credits PACT’s Survivors’ Council, who supported her when she took a stand at the trial and at the sentencing of her traffickers.

In her own words, she shares her reaction: 

“I am marking the 10th anniversary of my escape from my traffickers. No one rescued me. This was achieved through my own strength and determination. I want to thank the New York Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security for ensuring my safety during that chapter of my life. In addition, I am thankful to PACT and the PACT Survivors’ Council for their constant support throughout this journey. 

On April 30th, 2024, I learned that my traffickers’ appeal was denied and that they would remain in jail as initially ordered by the court. While this felt like it would take forever to end, the prosecutors remained in communication and informed me of my case's status throughout the entire process. Because I shared my testimony, this helped pave the way for law enforcement to identify and assist several other victims of my traffickers, which was a family-run trafficking ring. I am looking forward to continuing my work in the anti-trafficking movement. I want to thank PACT CEO, Lori Cohen, for her representation and all of her contributions towards this major victory, a process that has been ongoing for 10 years. Her relentless advocacy efforts have been a true inspiration.  

I also thank the PACT Survivors’ Council, which I joined in February 2020, shortly before I testified at trial. Members of the Survivors’ Council supported me when I took the stand at the trial and again at the sentencing of my traffickers. As a member of the Survivors’ Council, we work on public policy, criminal justice reform, and lobbying for better legislation in the anti-trafficking movement. It is an honor to be part of this community. I will continue advocating for legislation to help victims achieve justice by sharing my testimony. My work will not stop. In 2019, I helped create Dahlia’s Hope, a comprehensive aftercare program that provides services like outpatient clinical therapy, case management, transitional housing, life skills training, and educational resources for sex trafficking survivors in Utah County. 

By working together, we can make a difference. If we do not educate ourselves and the youth, we can become vulnerable to exploitation. No human being should have to endure what I did.”