My name is Megan Escoto. I grew up in an abusive household alongside my many siblings. At the age of eight, I was removed by child welfare services and placed up for adoption. I was separated from my siblings and relocated two states away. At 19, I was lured into human trafficking through grooming. I was held captive for over five years, forced to perform unpaid labor, and experienced many forms of exploitation. I escaped in July 2015, determined to reclaim my life and serve the public. In 2018, I became a certified Emergency Medical Technician. Around the same time, I began speaking publicly about my experiences and decided to press charges against my trafficker. No arrest was ever made, so I made it my mission to make everyone aware of this issue and try to stop it from happening to others. While working as an EMT, I began pursuing my college education. I now hold associate degrees in Criminal Justice, Behavioral Science, and Social Justice, and I am currently earning my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at California State University, Sacramento. I chose this field to better understand the systems that failed me, and to help reform them. Today, I work in child abuse prevention, educating the public, law enforcement, and service providers on how to identify and respond to child abuse and human trafficking. I focus on addressing the root causes through community-based solutions that promote strength and resilience. I serve on the Board of Directors for Redemption House of the Bay Area, a nonprofit that supports survivors in rebuilding their lives after exiting trafficking. I also sit on an advocacy panel that evaluates proposed legislation related to child welfare, sex crimes, and violence against women. In this role, I provide feedback and testify before state senate committees when I support relevant bills. In addition, I have authored two books. The first is an anthology co-written with four other survivors, sharing our personal stories to help others recognize red flags. The second is a guidebook for California law enforcement that details various forms of human trafficking and provides practical strategies for effective response and prevention. If awarded this scholarship, I would use the funds to help cover travel expenses and to offset income lost when I need to take time off work, either to complete schoolwork or to speak at the Capitol when asked to advocate on legislative issues. I commute over an hour each way to attend classes, and this financial support would ease that burden significantly. I believe I am uniquely qualified for this scholarship because I am improving my community by offering my lived experience, but also obtaining the formal education to back it up. I’ve turned personal trauma into a lifelong commitment to protecting others, and I’m determined to make meaningful change within the systems that we are all living in.

As a someone who experienced chidhood abuse, being a foster child, and human trafficking, my personal experience has shaped my dedication to making a positive impact on the world through my criminal justice career. I am deeply committed to advocating for justice, empowering survivors, and effecting systemic changes. My current accompishments include being on the board of directors for a nonprofit organization devoted to empowering survivors of human trafficking. I currently engage in public speaking engagements and presentations, actively working to educate communities about the prevalence of human trafficking within their neighborhoods and industries. My focus lies in training law enforcement personnel to approach human trafficking investigations with a trauma-informed perspective. By emphasizing empathy and understanding, I strive to ensure that survivors are met with the support and care they truly need. In 2022, I was honored with a recognition award from the Archdiocese of San Francisco for my commitment to my work. Moreover, my story was featured in a documentary that same year, shining a light on my journey as a survivor of sexual assault. Furthermore, my writing will be published in an anthology centered around surviving human trafficking, amplifying my voice and experiences to inspire others. Through my work in the criminal justice field, I plan to focus on several key areas to contribute to a safer and more equitable society. I will prioritize raising awareness about the prevalence of human trafficking and working towards its prevention. I aim to collaborate with law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and educational institutions to develop and implement educational programs that shed light on the signs, risks, and consequences of trafficking. By equipping individuals with knowledge, we can collectively identify and intervene in potential trafficking situations. Another crucial aspect of my impact will involve improving the response to human trafficking cases. I plan to further advocate for trauma-informed approaches within law enforcement and the legal system, emphasizing empathy, sensitivity, and support for survivors. By championing survivor-centered practices, I aim to ensure that their voices are heard, their experiences are validated, and their rights are protected throughout the criminal justice process. I will work towards enhancing collaboration between various sectors, such as law enforcement, social services, and healthcare, to provide comprehensive support to survivors. This includes establishing and strengthening partnerships, sharing resources, and implementing coordinated approaches to address the complex needs of survivors. In addition to direct advocacy, I plan to use my voice and platform to raise awareness on a broader scale. Through public speaking engagements, media appearances, and writing, I will share my story and experiences to inspire others and encourage a broader understanding of the systemic issues that perpetuate human trafficking. By fostering empathy and compassion, I aim to mobilize communities, policymakers, and individuals to take action and create lasting change. My mission is to empower survivors, promote justice, and eradicate human trafficking. I believe that through a multifaceted approach, combining prevention, intervention, and support, we can build a society that prioritizes the well-being and rights of every individual. By using my criminal justice career as a tool for change, I can work towards a world where no one has to endure the pain and suffering I experienced and where every person has the opportunity to thrive.