From victim to survivor

After years of abuse and forced prostitution in New Orleans, Margarite Landry (her real name) is now in her third semester of culinary school in Baton Rouge. She works as a prep cook at a local restaurant and lives happily with her teenage son. She shares with 225 how she finally broke the cycle of abuse.

Tell me about your childhood.

I was raised by my grandparents in the 6th Ward, New Orleans. My mom was gone most of the time in prison—but I didn’t know that’s why she was gone—and my father was killed when I was young. They were both drug dealers, big time.

What about school?

I stopped going in the ninth grade. I’d smoked weed the first time at 10 years old.

How did you get trapped in human trafficking?

At 17, I started dating this older guy. Six months later I’m driving—my first time on the Interstate—and out the blue, he power-punches me in the face. I held control of the car, but he was screaming, ‘If you ever try to leave me, I’ll find you and kill you! You’ll do what I tell you!’ And prostitution lasted from 17 until I was 39 years old.

Did you ever try to escape?

I was basically terrified for my life. I felt like I was doing what I needed to stay alive. There were times I did resist going out to work, and he would beat me like if I was a dude.

What was the turning point?

One night, I’d been kidnapped and raped in a car. I was running for my life, running from this black Chrysler. This was deserted, post-Katrina New Orleans, and I ran to the only house I could see with lights on. I banged on the door, and a little old lady opened the door, and gospel music was playing in the back. ‘God led me to the right house,’ I thought. I, of all people, asked her to call the police, and she did.

And you came to Baton Rouge to see your child’s father?

He told me if I was serious about getting clean there was a church here that could help. One day the white vans and the red shirts (Healing Place Church volunteers) pulled up to the apartment complex, and they were knocking on doors, but they didn’t have to knock on mine. I ran down to them, and I just poured it out, my whole story, to the first person I saw.

What would you say to someone in a similar abusive situation?

That I’m a survivor not a victim, and you can be a survivor, too. I have peace today, praise God. I’m comfortable. God brought me out of my situation, and he can bring you out, too.

What are your plans now?

Right now I’m working till 3 a.m. a lot of nights then getting up for 8 a.m. class. I used to not sleep much, but now at least I know if I’m not sleeping it is for something good. Eventually, I want to own my own restaurant. Wouldn’t that be something?