2 Claremore women use past as inspiration in organizing march against human trafficking

CLAREMORE, Okla. (KTUL) -- Two Claremore women’s past has given them the inspiration to raise awareness against human trafficking.

They did so in a march and prayer and by speaking out about seeing it first hand.

Down the streets of Claremore, they marched with a message.

A rally against human trafficking that organizers Chelsi Compton and Kyrra Milford have seen up close.

“I saw it happen so much on the streets I mean I saw a lot of bad stuff, I saw a mom sell her 13-year old daughter into the Mexican cartel," said Chelsi Compton.

Both women say they had difficult childhoods after being molested and raped at a young age.

They say they then spent years witnessing the effects of child sexual assaults and human trafficking around them as they were homeless and addicted to drugs.

“I was sexually abused when I was eleven by a family friend who was also a local youth pastor," said Kyrra Milford.

It’s not an easy conversation but Compton and Milford say it’s one that has to take place.

Which is why they gathered this group together to march.

Holding signs for their children, and signs meant to help find children.

“We’re thankful for those in our community who are willing to spend time to bring this to everyone’s awareness," said Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton.

According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. there’s one open missing child case in Claremore.

This girl Brianna Ashley, a 15-year old missing since April.

Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton says these are the worst kinds of cases, yet ones they desperately want to solve.

“It happens every day and it happens everywhere," said Walton.

“I think people think that because we live in Claremore, Oklahoma that we don’t have to be worried about our kids walking around by themselves, we do," said Compton.

Concerned parents spending their evening shouting their messages, and gathering together to pray; hoping no more children become a target.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of 15-year-old Brianna Ashley, please call the Rogers County Sheriffs Office.