Real Life Real Crime | Queens Ep 3 – A Deep Dive into Human Trafficking and Survivor Empowerment

Release Date: June 21, 2025

Introduction

In the third episode of "Real Life Real Crime," hosted by Real Life Real Crime Productions, Richard Karn engages in a profound conversation with Zoe Saldana. The episode delves into the intricate and often overlooked aspects of human trafficking, emphasizing the critical need for awareness, support systems, and empowerment for survivors.

Understanding Human Trafficking Beyond Stereotypes

Challenging Media Perceptions

Richard Karn opens the discussion by addressing common misconceptions perpetuated by the media regarding human trafficking. Typically, trafficking conjures images of illicit border crossings facilitated by "coyotes," but the reality is far more complex.

Zoe Saldana Highlights Vulnerable Groups

Zoe emphasizes that a significant portion of trafficking victims comprises young American girls who are unhappy at home or entangled in the foster care system. She states:

"The meat of it is, is young American girls that are... unhappy at home, do not... or something is going on. They're in foster care. There's huge incidents of trafficking in foster care." [06:08]

Exploitation Within Foster Care

They discuss cases where foster parents exploit children for trafficking purposes. Zoe narrates a disturbing account of an older Christian couple involved in grooming and trafficking:

"They were moving kids to Mexico in their home for a little bit of a time... they kept them chained up or locked in the closet." [07:13]

The Strained Foster Care System

Lack of Oversight and Resources

Zoe underscores the foster care crisis, noting the insufficient workforce leads to oversights that traffickers exploit:

"There's a huge foster crisis, foster care crisis in this country right now, so there's not enough workers really to oversee them properly." [06:08]

Economic Pressures on Survivors

The conversation touches on how financial desperation drives survivors back into trafficking:

"If somebody needs to feed their kids and that's the only way they know what to do, they gotta. That's what they're gonna do." [28:43]

Queens of Digital Marketing: Empowering Survivors

Initiatives and Support Systems

Zoe introduces the work of Queens of Digital Marketing, an organization dedicated to assisting trafficking survivors through professional training and employment opportunities. She shares a success story of a survivor who progressed from a QA agent to an affiliate manager after receiving support and therapy:

"She really started brightening up. She still goes now and she's doing very well." [12:54]

Criteria for Participation

She outlines the prerequisites for survivors to join the program, emphasizing stability and ongoing case management:

"Now they have to be exited for a year. They have to be in a stable environment... and they need to be under case management." [14:16]

Challenges in Securing Employment Contracts

Competition with Overseas Markets

Zoe explains the difficulties in obtaining contracts that offer fair wages compared to overseas exploitation:

"But it's hard to keep get the contracts because the contracts are going overseas to where they pay $3 an hour." [17:55]

Efforts to Expand Nationwide

Through attending conferences like Shelter 2025 in Seattle, Zoe seeks partnerships to expand Queens' reach and secure necessary resources:

"Some of these programs are already have like a desk set, like a remote office environment set up... I'm just having to cover my salaries for the teachers." [16:21]

Breaking the Cycle of Trauma

Personal Reflections on Trauma

Both hosts share personal experiences related to trauma and its lasting impact. Zoe discusses using EMDR and brain spotting therapies to manage triggers from past abuses:

"I had trauma that needed to be treated. And the only thing that can treat that really well is EMDR, brain spotting." [32:24]

Intergenerational Effects

They explore how trauma perpetuates cycles of abuse, highlighting that many traffickers themselves are victims of past trauma:

"It's a vicious cycle... hurt people, hurting people." [32:59]

Raising Awareness and Supporting Survivors

Upcoming Fundraisers and Events

Zoe details upcoming events aimed at fundraising and increasing awareness:

• Silent Auction: Featuring items like Amazon and Target gift cards, call tracking credits, and a weekend stay at the luxurious "Cajun Queen" Airbnb. (Link to auction provided in episode) [50:14]

• Golf Tournament: Scheduled for January in Las Vegas, part of the Lead Generation World conference, to support Queens' initiatives. [52:28]

Call to Action

Richard urges listeners to donate and share to support the cause, emphasizing:

"Share equals awareness. And it's there probably if you walk in a Walmart and however many people are in there, probably at least one person is a victim of this." [62:05]

Conclusion

The episode culminates with a heartfelt plea to recognize the humanity of trafficking victims and the importance of providing them with the tools and support to rebuild their lives. Zoe reiterates the mission of Queens of Digital Marketing:

"We're not given a handout, we're given a hand up. We're giving a hand for somebody to help themselves become a better... to have a better life." [59:31]

Richard closes by reinforcing the significance of community support in combating human trafficking and aiding survivors in their journey to thrive.

Key Takeaways

• Human Trafficking is Complex: Goes beyond stereotypical images, deeply intertwined with systemic issues like foster care shortages.

• Survivor Empowerment is Crucial: Programs like Queens of Digital Marketing play a vital role in providing survivors with employment and therapy.

• Awareness and Support are Essential: Community involvement, donations, and sharing information can significantly impact the lives of trafficking survivors.

Notable Quotes

• Zoe Saldana on Media Misconceptions:

  "The meat of it is, is young American girls that are... unhappy at home, do not... or something is going on." [06:08]

• Zoe on Empowering Survivors:

  "She really started brightening up. She still goes now and she's doing very well." [12:54]

• Richard Karn on Sharing Awareness:

  "Share equals awareness. And it's there probably if you walk in a Walmart and however many people are in there, probably at least one person is a victim of this." [62:05]

Support the Cause

• Silent Auction: Participate in the online auction for a chance to win exclusive items and experiences. [Auction Link]

• Golf Tournament: Join the fundraising event in Las Vegas to support Queens of Digital Marketing. [Event Details]

• Donate: Every contribution helps provide essential services and support to survivors striving to rebuild their lives.

Stay Connected:

• Social Media: Follow and share using #QueensofDigitalMarketing to spread awareness.

• Website: Visit Queens of Digital Marketing for more information on how to get involved or seek support.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by human trafficking.