Melissa Leía on becoming ‘Warrior Strong’ while fighting human trafficking and sexual exploitation

Melissa Leía knows a lot about becoming ‘Warrior Strong.’ From a young age, her life was painfully painted by sexual abuse, exploitation, and addiction. Now she advocates for sincere and honest change in our society when it comes to talking about human trafficking, sexual education, and the real changes that need to happen to protect some of the most vulnerable. While the problem is rampant across the real and digital world, she advocates for cultural changes right here in Utah, where the problem is obscured by apparent conformity and shame-based biases. Melissa is working with organizations like the Anti Trafficking Organization: EXITUS, the Utah Trafficking in Persons Task Force, schools of higher and lower learning, lawmakers, officials, and more to break the cycle of abuse and exploitation. She joins this episode of Relentlessly Resilient to educate listeners on how to educate and reach out in kindness on the issue of human trafficking because “People are not for sale.” 

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, you can get confidential help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or online at HumanTraffickingHotline.org.

Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.