"This is unacceptable; this is crazy," said Rosemary Trible (pictured), founder of Fear 2 Freedom (F2F) as she spoke to Regent University students on Friday, Oct. 3. "And tonight, we're going to be able to do something about it—we're going to restore that joy."
Trible shared these statistics at the university's second gathering to assemble 200 kits of toiletries, letters of encouragement, and clothing for survivors of human trafficking and assault in South America.
F2F and Regent partnered with Orphan's Promise, a ministry born out of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) to deliver the packages to women and children in the nations of Peru and Costa Rica. They are meant to restore joy and dignity in the lives of those who have been affected by sexual trauma.
F2F will continue to travel throughout Virginia, Texas and Colorado to spread its efforts in universities and hospitals across the nation. And though the students were serving hurting people from nations far away, Trible reminded volunteers that these issues strike everywhere, even close to home.
"Our mission is to empower college students to change the cultural understanding of sexual assault in our city, state, country and around our world," said Trible. "We're going to make a difference one person at a time."
Trible's passion for bringing relief to victims of assault began when she was 25 years old. She was at the height of her career as a television host in Richmond, Virginia.
And when she featured a show on sexual assault, Trible was astounded by the number of phone calls and letters revealing women eager to share similar stories of their own experience.
She couldn't have known that just a few days later she would have a story of her own to share.
While she was preparing to shoot footage for shows to put "in the can" during the Christmas holiday, she was interrupted by an intruder who held a gun to her head.
"He tore my body; he stole my joy, and my heart was frozen," said Trible. "But I made it through; I got my joy back, and I want others to know how good God is."
Through time, and her reliance on God, Trible was able to release her fear and trust and encourage others who have undergone traumas similar to her own.
"No matter what has happened in your life, no matter what has broken your heart, this cycle of fear can be broken," said Trible. "Be the change and make a difference one person at a time."
By Brett Wilson