Girls Like Us

Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Heals Herself

By: Rachel Lloyd

Narrated by: Rachel Lloyd

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

During her teens, Rachel Lloyd ended up a victim of commercial sexual exploitation. With time, through incredible resilience, and with the help of a local church community, she finally broke free of her pimp and her past and devoted herself to helping other young girls escape "the life".

In Girls Like Us, Lloyd reveals the dark world of commercial sex trafficking in cinematic detail and tells the story of her groundbreaking nonprofit organization: GEMS, Girls Educational and Mentoring Services. With great humanity, she shares the stories of the girls whose lives GEMS has helped - small victories that have healed her wounds and made her whole. Revelatory, authentic, and brave, Girls Like Us is an unforgettable memoir.

©2011 Rachel Lloyd (P)2018 Tantor

Such courage!

The book was well done & I highly recommend it for everyone who has even the slightest interest in humanity. We cannot know from experience what all tracts in life exist, but Ms Lloyd gives us an incredible view into the world of children sold into sex work in this book. It's appalling, to say the least.
She & all "her girls" bravely reveal bits of themselves from their experiences; Ms Lloyd courageously baring her soul. But the glowing spirit of each still dominates their stories.

What an incredible view she gives us into the work that's been accomplished & all that's still to be done. I loved the book.

Thank you for this outstanding memoir

I am in school to obtain my MSW and this memoir touched me in so many ways. It has educated me more than any class I have taken in my program. The courage is amazing!

A Must Read

I learned so much. Every responsible person needs to read this book.
It’s truly eye opening.

Inspiring.

She brings a voice to what most people push aside and dont want to think about. Eye opening.

honest and eye-opening!

Thank you so much for sharing your story! This is an important look at what happens right here, right now.

Beautifully written and read

I am so glad I bought this book on Audible and listened to Rachel read it in her own words and in her own way. Beautifully written and narrated. As someone who works to rescue girls from sexual exploitation, this book tells the story best and explains a tragic subject in a smart and understandable way.

Rachel's vulnerability. Very inspiring!

Loved it all. absolutely needs to be required reading for teachers, police, social workers, prison guards, and at risk children.

Best non fiction!

This should be a required read in high school. Girls, boys, women & men should all read this. Rachel Lloyd’s story is one of strength. I was touched by her heart breaking childhood growing up in a dysfunctional family which contributed to her getting sold for sex & physically & mentally brutalized by ruthless pimps at such a young age. She not only was brave enough to escape but she had the incredible courage, intelligence & compassion to make it her life’s work to help thousands of other girls escape the clutches of their pimps & get the help they need. She also helped change legislation so these sexually exploited children are not criminalized as so many are. What a powerful woman.

Everyone should read this

Every pastor, politician, or all involved with law-enforcement should read this book. It’s brutally honest and doesn’t mince words. Powerful message. Thank you Rachel for taking the time and doing the hard work of sharing your story so authentically.

crummy parents and shitty world

Sexually exploited children...not teenage prostitutes. The moms raising them are from a terrible life too and with free food and medical and housing im at a loss at what else to do except maybe a mobile counseling and parent skills van.The poor people are damaged goods and ive long found the kind hearted western brothel offensive and any show that makes prostitution seem cool or a 1st option. And rap singers and pimp songs? Way to exploit an easy sell...little kids trying to make there own live more exciting thru a candy coated nightmare distraction. Any movie show or store or that has barely legal kidz in it acting like life is grand and they are happy as shit is a false and harmful message that just perpetuates the crime of sex expl child. Good book and nailed the problem and Gems is a miracle and God bless....the poor little dears....i could scream. :(