Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Heals Herself

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Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Heals Herself

4.28 of 5 stars 4.28 · rating details · 775 ratings · 157 reviews

A deeply moving story by a survivor of the commercial sex industry who has devoted her career to activism and helping other young girls escape "the life"

At thirteen, Rachel Lloyd found herself caught up in a world of pain and abuse, struggling to survive as a child with no responsible adults to support her. Vulnerable yet tough, she eventually ended up a victim of comm

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Hardcover, 277 pages

Published April 5th 2011 by Harper (first published April 1st 2011)

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The Road of Lost Innocence by Somaly Mam

Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation‎ - Nonfiction

1st out of 22 books — 14 voters

Child Rights

4th out of 34 books — 16 voters

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Community Reviews

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Mar 23, 2012 Brooke rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: abuse

I had the privilege of meeting Rachel Lloyd at a talk tonight at Circle of Hope where I bought her book, which she inscribed, "To the girls at Penn Treaty, with encouragement, love, & respect."

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May 20, 2013 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biography-autobiography, non-fiction

When I read a review of this book, I knew I had to read it. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the author went to the same small NYC college as my daughter. I had to read this book slowly and take breaks because I was overwhelmed with sadness, rage, despair, and disgust at times. However, I also felt hope because of people like the author who are making a difference in young women's lives. I feel as if the author echoed my thoughts on a variety of topics including the music industry's accepta...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Bonnie Jean rated it 5 of 5 stars

At times tragic, poignant, even funny - but always incredibly powerful. It should be required reading for everyone. Through the author's willingness to be utterly transparent, we are shown a world in which young girls are denied the opportunity to be children; where grown men participate in and profit from the commercial sexual exploitation of thousands of little girls. It's a world where minors are prosecuted as adults for crimes of which they are the real victim, and the people they should be...more

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Mar 17, 2013 Melissa Dally rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: borrowed

This is the story of a woman who was a commercially sexually exploited youth and interspersed with her tale of abuse, rape, exploitation, and recovery are tales from the orgainisation she created in New York, GEMS, which helps other girls who have been commercially sexually exploited. One important thing I took away from this is that the correct term for what has happened to these young people is not "child prostitute" "teen prostitute" "child whore" or anything like that that implies that it wa...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Julie (julie37619) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Rachel Lloyd grew up in England and was a victim of the commercial sex industry as a teenager in Germany. She has since moved to the US and devotes her life to helping young American girls who are the unheard victims of sexual trafficking. They are not kidnapped and taken overseas, but are victimized right here in our own country. The plight of these girls, frequently black or Latino, goes unnoticed and unmonitored because our culture identifies "teen prostitution" as less significant than domes...more Rachel Lloyd grew up in England and was a victim of the commercial sex industry as a teenager in Germany. She has since moved to the US and devotes her life to helping young American girls who are the unheard victims of sexual trafficking. They are not kidnapped and taken overseas, but are victimized right here in our own country. The plight of these girls, frequently black or Latino, goes unnoticed and unmonitored because our culture identifies "teen prostitution" as less significant than domestic sex trafficking of minors. This book is a heartbreaking examination of the domestic sex trade and the children who are victimized by it, although they are frequently not recognized by the government or our culture as victims. Lloyd shares her story and the stories of countless young girls she has helped through GEMS, her non-profit organization devoted to helping the victims of the domestic sex trade.

Writing
I was really impressed with the quality of Lloyd's writing. I think she's combined accessibility for a wide range of readers with valid, well-conducted research. A large portion of the book is anecdotal - stories from Lloyd's personal experiences and from the lives of the girls she works with. The heart-to-heart story telling will appeal to readers who would be turned off by facts and figures and works well to bring out the emotional aspects of the domestic sex trade and its effect on children. However, it's also obvious that Lloyd knows what she's talking about for those are interested in the statistics and research that back up these heartbreaking stories. She documents all of her research and cites all of her sources, which means that interested readers can follow up on the studies she uses.

Entertainment Value
This is, of course, a book that it's hard to say you were entertained by, since it's main topic is the sexual exploitation of young girls. However, I will say that it's a book that I couldn't put down. I was fascinated by the tragedy that's taking place in our own country that we are so quick to gloss over as "teen prostitution" or a choice that is willingly made. Lloyd's own story is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

Overall
I highly recommend this book to pretty much everyone. It's interesting and moving and will hopefully change the way you look at the domestic commercial sex industry. Also, if the topic interests you, check out the documentary that has been made on GEMS called Very Young Girls. I saw it several years ago and was very moved. You can also click here to see the GEMS website.(less)

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Mar 18, 2012 Melissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

So many important points are made in this book.

1) Our society has decided that children under 18 can't consent to sex. They cannot therefore be criminals for participating in the sex industry, even if they "consent."(Rachel Lloyd calls them "commercially sexually exploited children.") To my knowledge, only three states prohibit such children from being prosecuted from prostitution (NY, CT and IL). These states assume that "prostitutes" under age 18 are not consenting and therefore cannot be cha...more

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Jan 18, 2012 Claire rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

I'd never given human trafficking much thought. The victims I pictured were European immigrants or middle-class runaways forced into prostitution. Most of my knowledge came from TV shows or movies like Taken.

Then I read Girls Like Us. Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Heals Herself The author, Rachel Lloyd, Rachel Lloyd founded the non-profit GEMS (Girls Educational & Mentoring Services) to help girls who have been victimized...more

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Oct 30, 2011 CD rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was a little nervous about adding this book to the collection as it is a book about the sex trafficking trade. However, it was a starred review and recommended for teens. So, when it arrived, I put it on my list of books to read.

I was pleasantly surprised. It was fabulous. Ms. Lloyd is to be commended, not only for writing a wonderful book on a topic that many Americans don't think about (the American sex slave, child prostitute), but for opening up her own life for as a lens to use for looki...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Jennifer Dines rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read this book all in one day. It tells the story of a woman who was exploited in the commercial sex trade and who later founded a non-profit that supports young women in escaping from this dangerous path. It tells about the tactics that pimps use to recruit children (as young as eleven years old) who are runaways or in vulnerable situations and exploit them in order to make money off of them. It also discusses therapeutic practices and supports as well as legal issues for these girls. Sadly,...more

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Apr 05, 2011 Jessica at Book Sake rated it 4 of 5 stars

This memoir focuses mainly on Rachel Lloyd’s life experiences as a commercial sexually exploited teenage girl (her verbiage, not mine – I would’ve just said prostitute). Aside from all the creative labels given to pimps and prostitutes, Lloyd doesn’t sugarcoat anything. She describes, in more detail than I was able to handle at times, the abuse that these sexually exploited girls endure at the hands of so many different men. It’s truly an eye-opener and brings to light the biases surrounding pro...more

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Apr 01, 2011 The Sunday Book Review rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book gave me such a reaction, it took me forever to finish it. This is an emotional, raw, realistic in your face read. I have learned more about commercially exploited girls than I wanted to, however should know. This isn't just a third world country situation. This is a HUGE activity here in the US and it can happen to any girl.

The following are just a few things that made me scream:

Those of us that watch Law & Order:SVU have grown to love Ice-T. At least I like his character. We know...more This book gave me such a reaction, it took me forever to finish it. This is an emotional, raw, realistic in your face read. I have learned more about commercially exploited girls than I wanted to, however should know. This isn't just a third world country situation. This is a HUGE activity here in the US and it can happen to any girl.

The following are just a few things that made me scream:

Those of us that watch Law & Order:SVU have grown to love Ice-T. At least I like his character. We know him from his rap and player days and he seems to have really turned his life around and now stars in a great show with an important topic. However, in this book the author points out how each year he still attends the Player's Ball. An award show that gives merits to the highest players and pimps of that year. Which in and of itself is bothersome. But to see him on a show playing a cop that trying to put away pimps and help assaulted girls, it throws you for a loop.

I understand the author is African American, and I understand that sadly many of the expolited children are African American. I also understand that the media tends to pay attention to white mising children more often due to "appeal". However, there were certain sections of the book where I felt as if white oppressed girls were brushed off to the side. The book is supposed to deal with girls, not only Latino and African American girls. While there is a distinction in numbers, I dind't want the book to be that one sided.

Taking those gripes aside - and they really are minor- , I really enjoyed this book. Rachel goes from giving us statistics of the sex trade industry, to stories about girls she has helped to stories about her own incidents in "the life". The story was wonderfully written and brought some staggering facts to the forefront. I kind of hate to say it, but I think every parent should read this book. While most girls that are "lured" or "taken" in to that life are vulnurable in that time of their lives, each young girl goes through that period at some point, and that is all the pimps are looking for. Be ready when you pick this book up. It doesn't sugar coat a thing. It says it like it should be said.
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Jun 13, 2011 Erica added it

Rachel Lloyd is the director and founder of a nonprofit called GEMS that helps young women who were sexually trafficked move on with their lives. She is also a former victim of trafficking herself. Girls Like Us is her memoir, and it focuses on both parts of her life--her work today with GEMS and the girls who go there for services, and her past in Europe.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from this book. I didn't think it would be bad, but I thought it would be a mildly interesting memoir ab...more

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Feb 15, 2013 Nicole Mohr rated it 4 of 5 stars

As a teacher, I heard about this book and thought it might be an effective way to approach this social justice issue with my curriculum; however, I was hesitant at first, wondering if the book would contain graphic descriptions of the girls’ sexual exploitation. I didn’t know if I could handle that, or if I wanted my students exposed to that, so I ordered the book to read for myself and find out.

Fortunately, the book handles the topic of sexual exploitation in a respectful way without trying...more As a teacher, I heard about this book and thought it might be an effective way to approach this social justice issue with my curriculum; however, I was hesitant at first, wondering if the book would contain graphic descriptions of the girls’ sexual exploitation. I didn’t know if I could handle that, or if I wanted my students exposed to that, so I ordered the book to read for myself and find out.

Fortunately, the book handles the topic of sexual exploitation in a respectful way without trying to shock audiences with horrifically gruesome details. Some readers may find it a bit too much to handle though. I lent the book to my mother, and she couldn’t get past the first chapter. In the first chapter, it talks about an eleven year old girl, Danielle (a pseudonym, I imagine) who has “been trafficked up and down the East Coast from Holiday Inns to Best Westerns by her boyfriend, who bought her a cheap heart-shaped necklace and, no doubt, the stilettos on her feet. I want to cry.” For sensitive readers like my mother, descriptions like this could make Girls Like Us too emotionally disturbing.
Personally, I feel this is an informative and engaging book that helped me understand the perspective of these girls, who Lloyd is adamant about calling victims, which is what they truly are, not the criminals that society seems treats them as. Glad to have found a way to approach this injustice with my curriculum, I anticipated the discussions I would have with my students as they read this book, since I think it is important they learn about different perspectives and learn to see the world through a different set of eyes. Through Lloyd’s book, a reader can certainly understand how it is to see the world through the eyes of a young and vulnerable girl. Unfortunately, the vocabulary in the book is difficult, and the storyline does not follow a chronological plot. The book is written in thematic chapters through which she weaves her own stories, the girls’ stories, and shocking but necessary statistics. This format and style of writing effectively makes the point that human trafficking is as much a domestic issue as a global one, but not necessarily in the most reader-friendly way. Only my most advanced readers were able to successfully complete the book, and even some of them admitted it was a struggle.
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Jan 24, 2013 Chris rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Chris by: N. kristoff

Shelves: 2013, feminist, mt-olympus, crime-related, movie-tv-related-or-tie-in-non-sf

Can someone please explain the Nobel Peace Prize Committee to me? Seriously. Look, I voted for Obama, and I still don’t understand why he won the Peace Prize. And the EU, honestly Canada, the US, and Mexico have avoided going to war for years and do we get a prize? Nope. Why don’t people like Rachel Lloyd win the blasted thing?
Lloyd’s book chronicles not only her experience as a se trafficking victim, but more importantly, the work she does with GEMS helping girls overcome their abuse and find...more

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Jun 18, 2011 Danna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: about-the-world, favorites, feminism, recommended

This is a book that everyone should read. Rachel Lloyd tells her story of sexual exploitation as a young girl, how she finally escaped the grips of her pimp, and made the decision to start working with other young girls and women. Lloyd grew up in England in a rough and tumultuous home. As a teen, she ran away to Germany, where penniless and frightened, she started working as a stripper. Her stories are heartbreaking and real. She is graphic in her depictions of physical abuse; the story is freq...more This is a book that everyone should read. Rachel Lloyd tells her story of sexual exploitation as a young girl, how she finally escaped the grips of her pimp, and made the decision to start working with other young girls and women. Lloyd grew up in England in a rough and tumultuous home. As a teen, she ran away to Germany, where penniless and frightened, she started working as a stripper. Her stories are heartbreaking and real. She is graphic in her depictions of physical abuse; the story is frequently painful to read.

The woman she has become is marvelous and beautiful. At age 23, Lloyd came to NYC to start working for a nonprofit organization. Through her work with other girls, she was able to heal her wounds, and become a serious activist. The main point of "Girls Like Us" is to drive home that there are no teen prostitutes. Lloyd explains that there are sexually exploited and trafficked girls - these girls are victims, with no choices, who are forced into "the life." She is emphasizing and re-emphasizing that commercial sexual trafficking occurs everyday, here in the US, with American girls.

Lloyd founds GEMS, a nonprofit organization, where she pushes to change legislation that penalizes adolescent girls for being bought by older men. Lloyd wants these girls to stay out of jail, and get into treatment. GEMS provides a safe harbor in NYC where the trafficked girls can go for love, support, and leadership skills.

The door at GEMS is constantly revolving: almost all of the girls go back to their pimps over and over again. Escaping "the life" is an uphill battle for these teenagers. The "love" of their pimps is often the only care they've ever received, and their lives on the "track" is the only normal one. Lloyd has seemingly infinite patience and zero judgment. Each time a girl returns, she welcomes them with the same love and support. Eventually, many of the girls leave "the life," and with the help of GEMS, go on to finish high school, get jobs, and create something with their lives. The beauty and camaraderie that forms between the girls is healing, and for the reader - breathtaking.

Throughout the book, I felt like I was repeatedly getting punched in the gut. I would fill up with tears after reading a single sentence. For example: "Incest is bootcamp for prostitution." Or when Rachel is sitting with her first real girlfriend, who has forgotten to get her husband a cup of tea, and Rachel naively asks, "Why didn't he hit you?" For me, that sentence succinctly sums up how perfectly normal physical abuse was for Lloyd.

"Girls Like Us" spans a period of over 15 years. The reader gets to experience everything from Lloyd's childhood, her terrifying adolescence, emerging adulthood, and evolution into an educated and successful young woman. Alongside Lloyd's development is the growth of GEMS, and many of the GEMS girls.

As I said in the beginning, I feel this is a book that everyone should read. It reframes issues of social justice and child exploitation. Lloyd makes clear that the US has a long way to go in terms of how it treats its young girls and women. So many of the books we read today are stories of survivors from around the world: I've read dozens of stories by women from Cambodia or Nigeria or some other faraway place who have escaped lives of sexual exploitation and abuse. It is so easy for a woman like me to forget or ignore what is happening right in our own communities. "Girls Like Us" is a painful and poignant reminder that change needs to happen here in the US - now.(less)

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Apr 13, 2011 Melissa Bennett rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have read numerous books on human trafficking/prostitution with kids but it was always about other countries. Not here in the US. Although I knew that it happened here, I did not know how bad it actually was. The book gave many insights on very young girls that have been or are out there being used for sex. The things these girls go through and the backgrounds in which they come from. There were statistics, facts, etc that helped put perspective on everything.
The author even flashes back in p...more

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Dec 01, 2011 Jaron rated it 5 of 5 stars

The book Girls Like Us, by Rachel Lloyd is a very powerful book. Rachel Lloyd shares her life experiences, from living in the world of sexual exploitation to being an advocate for females. Leaving out no details the book shows the pain and suffering of females who were and/or being trafficked, abused, and sometimes murdered. This book will make you cry or tear up because of the state of shock you will be in once you read the first pages of the book. This does nothing but prove how powerful this...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Patty rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a powerful book. It weaves together Ms. Lloyd's own story of growing up in an abusive household and her entry into prostitution and her subsequent rise out of "the life" to create GEMS - Girls Educational and Mentoring Services - with the stories of the girls she met along the way. And I do mean girls. Some of these trafficked girls were as young as eleven. It is very hard to read stories of girls that young being abused at the hands of both their pimps and the justice system.

I found I...more

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Apr 05, 2011 cheryl rated it 5 of 5 stars

I confess...I struggled for words to update folks while reading Rachel Lloyd's Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Heals Herself. It is an amazing book (part memoir, part call to action) but my usual "I'm enjoying it" or "I love it" doesn't really work when the subject is the sexual exploitation of girls and teens. I can confidently give five stars to the book (provided to me by the folks at Harper), but still don't know the exact w...more I confess...I struggled for words to update folks while reading Rachel Lloyd's Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Heals Herself. It is an amazing book (part memoir, part call to action) but my usual "I'm enjoying it" or "I love it" doesn't really work when the subject is the sexual exploitation of girls and teens. I can confidently give five stars to the book (provided to me by the folks at Harper), but still don't know the exact words I want to use.

Lloyd is a survivor herself. She ended up in the sex industry after fleeing an unhealthy home and turning to exotic dancing to make ends meet when traditional jobs turned her away due to her youth. She ultimately suffers at the hands of an abusive man who sells her body and treats her as property but who is able to control her, in part, because of her emotional vulnerability. Lloyd becomes an advocate for girls and young women (as young as eleven!) whose bodies have been co-opted by men and who learn to believe that they are worth only as much as they can bring in for their pimp each night. Lloyd helps an outsider understand what makes these girls vulnerable and how they fall under such harsh control. She also shows how difficult it can be, emotionally and financially, to flee this life once captured by it. The book is deeply upsetting but does express hope that these girls and women can be saved if we open our eyes and admit they are there and that they exist. Lloyd calls upon us to recognize that the sex industry includes young girls and women in our own backyards, not just the more recognized international sex trade (which is, of course, also a horrid industry).

I often struggle with non-fiction "issue" books because I feel that they can struggle in terms of organization and thus can lose the attention of their reader (or, at least, lose MY attention). Lloyd deftly overcomes this, tracing issues and stages of exploitation and interspersing her own story and stories of the victims she has helped along with more factual data. She helps the reader to see past biases and assumptions and to recognize the lost, lonely, and frightened children hiding behind the sexy clothes, makeup, and stilettos.

Highly recommend for anyone interested in women's issues. I'm not in a position to do so these days, but I do hope to support Lloyd's work financially in the future. (less)

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Aug 02, 2011 Amy Cheney rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lloyd takes us on a frightening, intense, angry, hilarious, passionate and uplifting journey from sexually exploited minor to survivor and thriver. Packed with sobering facts such as in a recent survey in Boston over 44% of teens felt that physical fighting was normal in a relationship and over ½ of them think Rihanna is responsible for Chris Brown beating her, the book’s strength lies equally in Lloyd’s clear, honest autobiographical insights. Chapter headings such as Risk, Family, Cops, Pimps,...more

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Aug 26, 2011 MAP rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biographies-and-memoirs, non-fiction, psychology

Girls Like Us is the story of Rachel Lloyd, her own experience with being sexually exploited, her creation of the non-profit GEMS, created to help girls who have been commercially sexually exploited, and the girls she meets through this. Lloyd does a really good job of mixing facts and statistics with the stories of her own life as well as the stories of various girls who she's worked with. It's a very powerful book with an incredibly important, and often unheard, message.

The only reason I didn...more

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Jul 12, 2011 Anne rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Feminists; Those interested in the well-being of girls and women

Recommended to Anne by: I wish I could remember!

Shelves: feminism, memoirs, non-fiction

As a survivor of sexual exploitation herself, who is now the director of a non-profit to assist girls "in the life," author Rachel Lloyd uses her own story and those of others to show:

a) the factors leading to pre-teens becoming sexually exploited,
b) the factors (like fear, violence, intimidation, and poverty) that keep them there,
c) how the US has a tendency to only view girls involved in international sex trafficking as victims
and d) many of the struggles a girl trying to leave the life face...more

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Jan 04, 2012 a.lamantia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Excellent, excellent book. It is educational, challenging, even academic while remaining emotionally engaging.

Rachel's narrative writing style is pure genius - she weaves her own personal story with stories of the girls she works with, a thorough dissection of the system that preys on vulnerable girls, challenges to the reader's perceptions, and calls to action. It keeps you hooked as you learn the nuances of a devestating injustice in our legal system.

11 year olds, 14 year olds, 17 year olds...more

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Mar 08, 2012 Pam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Girls Like Us is listed as a memoir, but it is so much more. It is the story of Rachel Lloyd, the founder of GEMS, Girls Educational and Mentoring service. But it is not only her story, it is the story of countless girls who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

What makes Rachel's story unique is that she is also a victim. In her teens, she was a victim of commercial sexual exploitation. But with help, she broke free from her pimp, and devoted herself to helping other girls leave "the...more Girls Like Us is listed as a memoir, but it is so much more. It is the story of Rachel Lloyd, the founder of GEMS, Girls Educational and Mentoring service. But it is not only her story, it is the story of countless girls who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

What makes Rachel's story unique is that she is also a victim. In her teens, she was a victim of commercial sexual exploitation. But with help, she broke free from her pimp, and devoted herself to helping other girls leave "the life."

The stories in this book are horrific. After a time, you become almost numb to them, you can't process another beating, another abused girl. The stories of the abuse from her pimp are especially moving because she is able to tell us what she was feeling.

Parts of the book read like a standard nonfiction book, with staggering statistics. But other parts, especially those where she is relating her own life story resonate with human feelings and emotions. People who come from a dysfunctional family will recognize her struggles with holidays:

"Yet for many years, the holidays, Christmas, and even my birthday are just an inconvenient reminder of my family, my lack of family, a reminder of the type of family I always wanted. I come to love Thanksgiving, as it's not a holiday that England celebrates and so there are no painful childhood memories associated with it. I can create my own Thanksgiving memories and over time I'll figure out how to tolerate, if not embrace, Christmas without getting totally trashed."

Most of the girls who end up exploited, come from abusive backgrounds.

"Tiana's still very much i the mix things, currently living with her pimp. The level of violence that she's been exposed to and experienced would equal that of a child in a war zone. Witnessing her mother's murder at the age of six was just the beginning for Tiana. She was then sent to with her aunt, Maria's mother and like Maria she has fared badly. Her aunt's "care" is visible through curling iron burns and permanent scars from extension cords. It's not surprising that either one of these cousins ran away."

The fact that this book is indeed a memoir elevates it above a standard nonfiction reference type book. I enjoyed the fact that it was much more than just a telling of facts.

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Aug 18, 2011 Barbara rated it 5 of 5 stars

It broke my heart to read this book, but I consider it the most important book I've read so far this year. The girls are commercially sexually exploited children and teenagers in the United States. They are trafficked for drugs and other commodities for their pimps. They are physically abused - tied up, poorly nourished, forced users of drugs and alcohol and sold to men. The author was herself such a victim and she traces her growth to survivor and leader as she works with the girls in the agenc...more

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Mar 03, 2012 jenna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, favorites

This is such an important book. It is unique and honest and real. It's excellently written; lucid and raw, emotional and keen. The book provides a well rounded look at the lives of these exploited children and their brave journeys. I dare you to read it without recognizing your own culpability for the persistence of this sadly normalized and ignored genocide of humanity/childhood in our midst.

On a personal note... Working as a therapist with this population can be isolating and confusing, I fou...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Vilo rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is an important book but I admit I renewed it twice before I could bring myself to read it. Then I could hardly put it down. Ms. Lloyd does not equivocate, but she shares much more of the humanity of the girls who are commercially sexually exploited than dark details (although there are details of abuse). She is one of the forces behind New York State changing its laws so that minors cannot be jailed for prostitution (if it's statutory rape for someone older than 18 to initiate sex whether...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Pilar rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: harpercollins

I received a complimentary copy "Girls Like Us" from a wonderful publicist at HarperCollins.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I have a penchant for memoirs and was looking forward to reading this book.

Regrettably, I read half way through the book and had to put it down. I could not handle the truths and details this book reveals.

I deeply admire Rachel Lloyd and the work she is doing with GEMS. She overcame incredible odds, persevered and succeeded. She is an eloquent, brilliant and gifted writer...more

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May 28, 2012 Lucille rated it 3 of 5 stars

A heartfelt and sad true story and a glimpse of what life is honestly like for some girls in the world. Personally, it makes me feel blessed despite anything that's happened in my own life, to have been brought up in a loving home like I have. I've met many girls with similar stories in the past few years too, and it does touch a soft spot in your heart. It's also inspiring because Rachel has gotten out of that type of lifestyle and changed her life around to do something great and help others t...more

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Nov 06, 2012 Anna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read this because it was blurbed and recommended by Nicholas Kristof. The message of prostitution as sexual exploitation of women and girls with no good choices or no choices at all and not giving up on them is important. Pimps are truly nasty agents of exploitation that have recently seen some ludicrous glorification ("It's hard out there for a pimp"). I was glad to see a repudiation of the idea of prostitution as a victimless crime; johns shouldn't get off scot-free while the women are charg...more

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Quotes from Girls Like Us: Fightin...

“Children who are victimized through sexual abuse often begin to develop deeply held tenets that shape their sense of self: 'My worth is my sexuality. I'm dirty and shameful. I have no right to my own physical boundaries.' That shapes their ideas about the world around them: 'No one will believe me. Telling the truth results in bad consequences. People can't be trusted.' It doesn't take long for children to being to act in accordance with these belief systems.
For girls who have experienced incest, sexual abuse, or rape, the boundaries between love, sex, and pain become blurred. Secrets are normal, and shame is a constant.” — 15 people liked it

“I am both numb and oversensitive, overwhelmed by the need, the raw and desperate need of the girls I am listening to and trying to help. I'm overdosing on the trauma of others, while still barely healing from my own.
I cry for hour at home and have fitful nights of little sleep. My nightmares resurface as my own pain is repeated to me, magnified a thousand times. It feels insurmountable. How can you save everyone? How can you rescue them? How do you get over your pain? How do you ever feel normal?” — 12 people liked it

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title link	preview: Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Heals Herself
avg rating	preview: Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Goodreads rating: 4.28 (775 ratings)
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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8584951-girls-like-us?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347665260l/8584951.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8584951-girls-like-us?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Heals Herself by Rachel Lloyd[/url]

Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls are Not for Sale, an Activist Finds Her Calling and Heals Herself

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