‘You’re Not Alone’: An LA County Youth Commissioner and Child Sexual Abuse Survivor Fights for Change

Twenty-five-year-old Brittianna Robinson experienced sexual abuse and trafficking as a child. She found herself in and out of group homes and the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles throughout her teens. She credits her faith in God and support from mentors and her church for helping her find a path forward.

Today, Brittianna uses her lived experience to help other commercially sexually exploited children (CSEC) as an advocate on the Los Angeles County Youth Commission. She recently wrote an essay about her experience for the National Center for Youth Law.

Robinson spoke with The California Report Magazine host Sasha Khokha as part of a series on Californians and resilience.

Below are excerpts from their conversation, edited for brevity and clarity. For the full interview, listen to the audio linked at the top of this story.

On becoming an advocate for others in the juvenile justice system and commercially sexually exploited children:

Like so many other young people, I was sexually assaulted by a family member at a young age, so it was easier to fall victim to exploitation. And unfortunately, this is not uncommon. Through my advocacy, speaking with youth in juvenile halls, I hear so many stories that are so similar to mine. And I think that’s what helps me continue to do this work because I found the strength, the self-love and the forgiveness for myself.

On the importance of having a mentor:

My family dynamics are pretty rocky. Having a support system from outsiders and my church family has helped propel me forward. One person is Jessica Midkiff [a trafficking survivor and advocate].

I go to a group home. Now she’s coming to speak to that group home. And I just told her, ‘You know, your story reminds me so much of myself. I wanna be like you when I get older.’

And she looked at me and she said, ‘No, Brittianna, you’re going to be better than me.’ And ever since then, she and I have been like big sister, little sister. She’s been the main person that gave me the role model as to what an advocate and what someone who uses their pain to help others looks like.

On the message she wants to share with other survivors and those in the juvenile justice system:

You’re not alone. Exactly what you feel [right now], I felt it.

No matter how ugly it may look right now, whatever your situation is, it will get better. You have to keep swimming, just like Dory in “Finding Nemo,” you must keep swimming because the moment you stop swimming, you could potentially drown.

On her new passion — cooking — and where she finds culinary inspiration:

My nana would prepare the best dinners. Unfortunately, she passed when I was 10. When I started going into group homes and juvenile halls, that passion for cooking followed. I recall being in group homes, and I’m like, ‘Who made the mac and cheese? Can I make it next time?’

The staff, the youth — everyone liked it. Every group home I was in, everybody liked my food. And then, a little after COVID, I got laid off from my job, similar to so many others. And I started selling plates from my transitional living apartment.

It was very much unprofessional, but I learned from that, and it gave me the motivation to pursue a higher education. I enrolled myself into culinary arts and restaurant management at Los Angeles Trade Tech College. That was by far the best decision I think I’ve ever kind of made. This is my first time going to a regular school setting. because from 13-17, I was incarcerated. My school setting wasn’t like everyone else’s.

But by absorbing the knowledge from these amazing chefs that have cooked all over the world, it just heightened my dream for what my culinary gifts can actually turn into.

I do have an LLC, Nana’s Secret, which provides catering and food services to Los Angeles County. Primarily, what I would like to do with Nana’s Secret is cooking classes for systematically impacted youth. This is my way of tying in my advocacy with my culinary endeavors, and I’m just so excited to be able to bring both of my worlds into one.

On finding resilience and strength:

You have to find the joy in the goodness and the little things, or else the bad things will just completely wear and tear you down. There’s a lot of girls that I know that are not here anymore. That’s really just a harsh reality. And it’s hard to understand that I’m representing a population that a lot of girls just don’t make it through. But I was blessed enough to make it through.

It’s all a mind thing. Our mind is so powerful. I just want to encourage everyone to step out of your comfort zone because there’s no growth there. It wasn’t until I [decided] I wanted better for myself that better things started coming to me.

I want that for everyone else. There’s going to be ups, there’s going to be downs, but if you do not lay down, you will see the fruit.