KATARINA MACLEOD
Katarina MacLeod is the Founder & Executive Director of Rising Angels Awareness & Restorative Care; she is also a survivor of sexual & physical abuse, drug addiction, forcible confinement, and 15 years of commercial sexual exploitation. Ms. MacLeod has been sharing her story and intimate knowledge of commercial sexual exploitation in Canada since 2010. She educates to bring awareness, trains others in survivor care and has assisted various NGOs and police services both as a valuable resource and in providing front line assistance. She works with all types of girls and women who are at risk for trafficking or prostitution, or are attempting to leave their exploitative situation. Since the striking down of key prostitution laws in Canada, Katarina has been a strong voice in the media and to government against the legalization of prostitution, and continues to advocate for the protection of exploited women. Katarina has a diploma in Addictions and Community Service, a certificate in Sexual Violence, and a Level 1 certificate in Trauma Counselling for Front Line Workers. She is a mother to 4 children and living proof of a life restored. She believes strongly that there is beauty to be brought out of the ashes of her past life.
SHEILA HOWLETT
Sheila gained significant mentoring experience during 15 plus years as a youth group leader. She subsequently formed a relationship with Katarina as mentor/life coach, Spiritual Mama, and tireless cheerleader. She has walked daily with Katarina since 2011, and developed a profound understanding of how C-PTSD, disassociation, and deep scarring affect traumatized, human trafficked women. Sheila’s understanding and nurturing have helped Katarina and other survivors not only cope but thrive.
Sheila is available to speak on mentoring women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation, to provide education and awareness to the public, to speak alongside Katarina to equip service providers through training sessions, and to discuss the issue of domestic violence and the response of the church.
DEIDRE HAIGHT
Deidre is the daughter of Katarina Macleod.
She is passionate about educating people around the harsh realities of what life was like as a young girl whose mother was trapped in the dark world of prostitution and human trafficking. She desires to see others understand that this issue not only affects the victim, but anyone close to the victim – especially her children, if she is a mother.
As a child, Deidre both watched the abuse her mother suffered and suffered abuse herself. Deidre was witness to her mothers’ addictions and has fought very hard to build a healthy life for herself. Deidre shares her story as a voice for the children affected by this dark world, and through this story is able to help others find hope and healing.
Deidre and her husband are staff with E3 Canada where they mentor others in their faith journey. www.brodyanddeidrehaight.com
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