Survivor Testimony: Stephanie Bowen Norton

🖤 Trigger Warning: Human trafficking, sexual assault, law enforcement negligence

"They said it was my fault."

In 2017, Stephanie was trafficked, raped, and betrayed—first by her abuser, and then by the very system meant to protect her.

After her perpetrator gained access to her phone and used it to coordinate multiple assaults, Stephanie courageously told her story to law enforcement. Instead of protection, she faced condemnation. Brought in front of then-Marshall Brian Pope by her father—an LPSO supporter—Stephanie watched as Pope reviewed her phone records and dismissed her trauma, claiming she was responsible for her own rapes.

Her attempts to report the crime were silenced. She was never called to testify in court. Her abuser walked free.

Years later, Stephanie has turned her pain into purpose. She now shares her story with other survivors of sexual assault and trafficking—not just to warn them of red flags, but to show them what survival can look like. She escaped the man who trafficked her by the grace of God—driving away on a flat tire at 6 a.m. after he passed out from the drugs he sold. Her own father blamed her, calling her names no survivor should ever hear. Still, she found the strength to speak up.

“It is one of my life’s missions to share my story and help other survivors heal and help get their perpetrators behind bars and be held accountable. If I can make a difference in one person’s life and help them become stronger from their trauma, then I know I’ve done God’s work.”

Stephanie stands as proof that resilience grows in the darkest places—and that silence only protects the guilty. The Pulse Project is honored to amplify her voice.

To Stephanie, and to all survivors: We see you. We believe you. And we will never stop fighting for you.