With the love and support of her family, Jenna made the break. Still, she never told anyone about the true extent of her trauma. The fact that her husband had abused her was enough of the story to share. Any hope she held that a doctor or nurse would pick up on the glaring signs of abuse during her visit were dashed when she was rushed in and out of appointments. Jenna assumed nobody cared, and decided she would just move forward as if it never happened.

For the next few years, on the surface, it appeared she was thriving; She married a Marine, had a baby, started college, and looked like the vision of health and happiness. But untreated trauma and post traumatic stress were wreaking havoc with her, inside.

Jenna went through years of struggles, with mental health hospital stays, an overdose, a divorce, and being a single mom. Her path to healing and rebuilding a better life for herself and her son was long. It was painful, exhausting, and full of opportunities to give up. But Jenna pushed through it all.

Today, Jenna McKaye has her own foundation that serves survivors of trafficking. 

She opens those services to at-risk youth as well, who are prime potential victims. She’s been invited to speak at the United Nations. She travels the country training hospital staff and law enforcement professionals how to recognize signs of abuse and trafficking, and she savors every moment with her son.

In this episode, Jenna shares her story of being lured into abuse, her life with her trafficker and her life after. She offers powerful lessons for parents on how to protect their kids, professionals on how to recognize abuse, and survivors on how to overcome their pain.