Jennisue’s Story: Surviving Trafficking, Becoming an Advocate

Hey friends! today’s episode features Jennisue Jessen, the founder of Compass 31. She was tragically sold into the sex trade at just four years old. She’s lived through more than most of us can imagine, but instead of letting it define her, she’s built her life around fighting human trafficking.

At Compass 31, Jennisue and her team focus on three main areas:

• Helping survivors heal and rebuild their lives
• Educating people to stop trafficking before it starts
• Training new leaders so this work keeps going

She talks openly about her own journey, what it’s like to trust again, to sleep without fear, and to smile after years of hiding her pain. Her story isn’t polished, it’s real, raw, and full of hope.

You’ll hear how she and her husband started by taking in teenage moms they met overseas, which eventually grew into Compass 31’s work across dozens of countries. You’ll also get a look into the hard parts, like how traffickers gain trust, why it’s tough for survivors to speak up, and what recovery really looks like day to day.

This conversation is honest and eye-opening. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of trafficking and feel inspired by what one brave, determined person can do to make a real difference.

Jennisue Jessen’s main website and platform is:

Compass 31 – the nonprofit she co‑founded focused on fighting human trafficking: https://compass31.org/

She also maintains a personal site offering healing resources and her books:

Jennisue Jessen’s personal site, where she shares her story and offers guidance: jennisuejessen.com

These two sites are the best places to learn more about her journey, mission, and how you can support the cause.