​​About Barbara

​Barbara Amaya is an award-winning advocate, speaker, human trafficking consultant, trainer, and a survivor leader in the movement to end human trafficking and all violence against women. Barbara has dedicated her life to combating human trafficking and violence against women and children. She holds a background in education, a credential in early childhood development, and a PhD in psychology. Barbara has been actively raising awareness of the sexual exploitation of children and domestic sex trafficking since 2012.

Awards:
ATI Survivor Leadership Advocacy Award 2021
James B. Hunter Human Rights Award, 2014
TAZ Author Award (Biography/Autobiography Category), 2015

Barbara is also author of Amazon best-selling award-winning memoir Nobody's Girl, which describes her experiences growing up in (and eventual escape from) "the life" from age 12 to 24 on the streets of New York City as a victim of domestic minor sex trafficking.
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Her graphic novel series, The Destiny of Zoe Carpenter and its accompanying curriculum, is aimed at educating middle school, high school students, and anyone else who will benefit from such a series.

Barbara shares her compelling story of overcoming trauma and adversity as a source of inspiration in all of her keynotes, presentations and trainings across the United States.

    Let me share my experiences, my story, and my multiple trainings at your next event. I have personally experienced the juvenile justice and child welfare/foster care systems. As a vulnerable child, I experienced the horrific extreme violence of child sexual abuse, then the trauma and violence of domestic minor sex trafficking and exploitation, when I was trafficked on the streets of Washington D.C. and New York City for over a decade.

​Today, I offer the education, the awareness, and specific information to event attendees that only the expert survivor voice can. I bring awareness of the extreme adversity survivors of violence and trauma truly have to overcome, and I train all attendees including service providers, law enforcement, health care professionals, teachers, and counselors on how to interact and interview victims in a truly trauma-informed manner. ​I share my multiple experiences of overcoming trauma, DMST (domestic minor sex trafficking), domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, drug (heroin) addiction and abuse, prison, uterine cancer, and infertility in hopes of uplifting others while they are educated and learn that overcoming horrific mind-numbing adversity in one's lifetime is truly possible."

Praise for Nobody's Girl

"A must read on the subject of teen trafficking - Barbara Amaya's story of how she went from a young girl growing up in the DC suburbs to a still-young girl working the streets of DC and New York under the control of pimps and traffickers is powerful, moving, heartbreaking, horrifying, and ultimately uplifting. She was painted as a criminal and a throwaway, and blamed for 'choosing' the lifestyle she became trapped in. Barbara shows how she and others were groomed, manipulated, coerced and threatened into it, and into remaining a part of it, and how she was blamed for something for which she bore no fault. The list of resources at the back is particularly helpful. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about the problem of teen sex trafficking."
- Joni Langevoort ★★★★★

"An important and touching read. I don't think that most people have any idea just how serious the human trafficking issue is in this country. It is memoirs like author Barbara Amaya's "Nobody's Girl" that are so important in getting the message across that this is happening in our backyard every day. The incredibly powerful story of Amaya's experiences as a teenager who was forced into prostitution and living on the streets in several major cities, while also being addicted to heroin. The fact that she was able to break free from this life is amazing in itself but that she is now putting her story to good use is even better. Definitely recommend."
- Messages For The Soul ★★★★★

"It’s an unflinching, gritty and real inside look at what survivor and advocate Barbara Amaya endured in her life. Her writing brings you inside “the life” that sadly, is still alive and well today... It happens to children who live in your neighborhood, no matter where you live. It is so important that survivors like Amaya tell their stories, and share what they’ve been through so we can keep our eyes open and be more compassionate to the people around us. You never know when you might save someone from what Amaya lived through. It is because of her strength that she made it out alive and well and is helping others. This is an important read."
- Debra Alfarone ★★★★★

Book Barbara For Your Next Speaking Event

Barbara offers a unique perspective on the mindset of victims and motivates every audience with her positive outlook on life today. She speaks to several topics and sub-topics, including sex trafficking, the opiate epidemic, how to overcome extreme adversity, how to interact with trauma victims, and much more. Barbara can tailor her talks to meet your theme, your expectations, and your agenda.

BOOK BARBARA NOW

Need to talk with Barbara?

Send Barbara an email if you'd like to chat or ask any questions.