Ilonka Deaton tells her story of rape and trafficking

Ilonka Deaton: "Several psychiatrists told me, 'Just talk to us.' And I simply remained silent. There was no way I was going to say a word about this. What could happen to my family?

There was a moment when a manager, who was jealous of other men having sex with me, wanted to do it as well. It was before my 18th birthday, and I fought back. I thought, 'If I die today, so be it. You will not touch me today.'

I was wearing a very expensive nightgown, with jeweled straps. My hair and makeup were perfectly done. When I told him no, he grabbed my dress and tore it, sending the jewels flying. Then he grabbed my hair, threw me to the floor, and started dragging me.

I fought with all my strength. I kicked, screamed, and scratched. I was almost 18 now; I was no longer a 12-year-old girl. I was stronger, taller.

The door suddenly opened, and an off-duty police officer, who was working as a security guard, came in to tell me I had to go on stage earlier than planned.

He found me on the floor, my nose and lip bleeding, jewels scattered everywhere, half-naked, while that man was beating me and dragging me.

The officer intervened as any cop would upon seeing something like that since I was still a minor. He managed to pull him off me, and they started fighting. My former manager broke free, ran out of the dressing room, and the officer chased after him.

He managed to escape the venue. Since that day, I have never seen him again.

It’s like a movie. You can’t believe it. You can’t make something like this up."

Ilonka Deaton is a survivor of sexual abuse and human trafficking who has dedicated her life to combating these atrocities. Her story began in South Africa, where, at the age of 12, she won a singing contest and signed a recording contract. What seemed like the beginning of a dream turned into a nightmare when her manager abused her and held her in sexual slavery for five years, using threats to control her life and that of her family.

Despite the deep emotional scars, Ilonka managed to escape and rebuild her life. She moved to the United States, where she continued her musical career and began sharing her story to inspire others. Together with her brother, Jaco Booyens, she works on initiatives focused on training, legislation, rescue, and restoration to fight human trafficking. Her mission is to empower victims and prevent others from experiencing what she endured.

Additionally, Ilonka has authored books such as Keeping Secrets and Secret Freedom, where she recounts her experience and offers tools for healing and sharing personal stories. Her message is one of hope, faith, and resilience, using her voice to empower those who have faced similar situations.

Her story stands as a testament to resilience and a call to action to eradicate human trafficking.