Vigil held for sex trafficking victim who turned personal tragedy into public mission

Sharon Guillemette, 67, became a well-known figure in recent years, thanks in part to the many interviews she did with News 12 Connecticut in which she opened up about her journey from sex trafficking victim to advocate.

News 12 Staff

Jul 20, 2023, 3:59 PM

Updated 425 days ago

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The Bridgeport community came together Thursday to remember a local sex-trafficking victim who turned a personal tragedy into a public mission.
Sharon Guillemette, 67, became a well-known figure in recent years thanks in part to the many interviews she did with News 12 Connecticut in which she opened up about her journey from sex trafficking victim to advocate.
Guillemette said a close family member sold her into sex trafficking when she was 7 years old. Sharon said the path that followed led her into a spiral of addiction, until the Bridgeport Rescue Mission saved her.
The Bridgeport nonprofit Partnership to End Human Trafficking held a vigil in Guillemette’s memory Thursday.
Representatives of PEHT say Guillemette will shine forever.
"The light in her heart is such, such beauty," said Evee, who is also a sex trafficking victim.
"She definitely put a pretty big impact on all of us here,” Aleenia Broughton said.
For more information on PEHT, click here.