Jerome Elam

USA | Child Labor | Scientist & Activist | 20 drawing hours

Raised in a broken home by an alcoholic parent, Jerome Elam is a survivor of child abuse/domestic violence, child sex trafficking, and child pornography. At the age of 12, he was freed after a nurse noticed his bruises at the hospital. His insights as a male victim have helped shape policies that begin to acknowledge males as victims and tailor services to their specific needs.

Brought up in the South, Jerome enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of seventeen. After completion of eight years in the United States Marine Corps, he attended the University of Florida, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He went on to spend several years working in the Biotechnology sector.

Motivated by the painful memories of his past, Jerome found his inner strength and began to speak out about his abuse. Today, he is President and CEO of Trafficking in America Task Force, a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC), and Special Advisor on Human Trafficking to the Utah Attorney General.