After the arrests have been made, law enforcement agencies in our area often look to organizations and advocates to help human trafficking victims. One of those advocates is Nancy Hernandez. Hernandez has quietly worked with thousands of women over the years to help them get back on their feet and live a life of independence. “I have the opportunity, and I have to thank God for that,” Hernandez said. “Because I'm alive. Able to do this.” Hernandez has been working with human trafficking victims for 17 years now, helping them restore what has too often been taken from them. “First, your identity,” she says. “Then, your principles. And your life.” Part of the reason Hernandez understands as well as she does — and is as effective as she is — is because she, herself, is a survivor of human trafficking. “It was very difficult,” she says. “You lose your sense of self. You lose your identity. You lose a lot. And it's a difficult situation being put in. And being forced to do things that, you know, were not right.” MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/community/human-trafficking-tampa-survivor/67-8552f5a0-dd6b-4333-9703-317febf42536 ►Subscribe: https://on.wtsp.com/youtube ►Website: https://www.wtsp.com/ ►Facebook: https://facebook.com/10TampaBay ►Twitter: https://twitter.com/10TampaBay