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About this book
The True Story of How a Trafficked Teen and Her Advocate Changed the Justice System and Found True Freedom.
When Andrea Powell, founder of Karana Rising and a longtime advocate for victims of sexual exploitation, received a letter from a desperate female inmate in Georgia's Pulaski State Prison, she had no idea that her life was about to radically change.
Tiffany Simpson, a teenage mother who’d been pimped out by her boyfriend, had been disappeared by the system. Now, she was doing thirty years for the crime of being trafficked. She had written to ask Andrea, “Am I a victim of sex trafficking, or am I a prostitute?”
As their relationship grew, it became Andrea’s mission to correct this miscarriage of justice and help Tiffany win her freedom. But, as she soon learned, some cases aren’t so simple – and, far too often, the systems we count on to protect victims of trafficking and violence silence them instead.
This poignant and harrowing memoir brings to light the truth of what survivors endure, and how often those we villainize are themselves victims and casualties. However, the ultimate message is one of hope, and love, because when compassion and truth take center stage, two people really can change the world.
About the Author
Andrea Powell is the Director of the Image-based Sexual Abuse Initiative at Panorama and the cofounder of Karana Rising. For the past 18 years, she has led national and international efforts to develop services, housing, and policies to advance the rights and healing of survivors of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse.
In 2004, Andrea co-founded FAIR Girls, where she led her team for 14 years in providing case management services and establishing a safe home for survivors in Washington, D.C, and played a leadership role with the DC Human Trafficking Task Force. At Karana Rising, co-founded by Andrea in 2019, survivors lead to advance justice and healing with and for survivors who have experienced arrest and incarceration as a result of their own trafficking. Through these efforts, Andrea has served and interfaced with over 2,000 survivors of trafficking and gender-based violence in the United States, the Balkans, Russia, Bangladesh, India, and Uganda.
Andrea has a master’s degree from the University of Bonn, Germany. In her spare time, she is a multimedia artist, author, and bunny mom living with her daughter on the beach in San Diego. This is her first book.
Learn more at karanarising.org.
Endorsements
“Andrea Powell’s book is more than a book about justice; it’s also about infusing social change with love and a fierce commitment to compassion. A must-read.” - Justin Baldoni, author, actor, filmmaker, and podcast host
“Believe Me is the extraordinary story of two women: Tiffany, a teenage victim of sex trafficking sentenced to jail for thirty years, and Andrea, a passionate advocate fighting for Tiffany’s freedom. I have had the honor of witnessing their ten-year journey together. A journey of trauma and healing, courage, and ultimately, Revolutionary Love. Read this book for these women to inspire you, as they have me.” - Valarie Kaur, bestselling author of See No Stranger and founder of The Revolutionary Love Project
“Believe Me is an honest accounting of what trafficking looks like today. Not the sensationalized stories you hear in the news but the real stories and real voices of this issue. I met Andrea over a decade ago when I was first beginning my own journey into the anti-trafficking world. I learned much from her. She is a fierce advocate, fighter, and expert in this world. I am honored to know her and support her work and her story on behalf of women and children everywhere.” - Marisol Nichols, actor
“Andrea Powell’s book is urgent and vital. No one should be incarcerated because of crimes committed against them. This book is a story of fierce love leading to justice for so many survivors. It’s a call to action and proof that when women come together, change happens.”
- Carmen Perez-Jordan, CEO and President of the Gathering for Justice Foundation
“As a former prosecutor, I have worked alongside advocates like Andrea to ensure that survivors are protected, not incarcerated, as a result of their own trafficking. Believe Me is the true story of a courageous survivor and her tenacious advocate’s enduring fight for justice. Andrea is the real deal, and this book is a must-read for anyone wanting to make the justice system more just.” - Maggy Krell, author of Taking Down Backpage
“I have known Andrea for fifteen years, and her passion to ensure that no survivor of trafficking is left alone to suffer has always moved me. I hope everyone reads her words and feels their calling to support survivors. I truly am excited to see the impact Andrea’s book will make for survivors and, honestly, anyone who has felt unheard, disbelieved, and simply discredited because of their past. This is a must-read and a true story of love overcoming fear.” - Geena Roceri, model, writer, producer, transgender advocate, and public speaker