Super Short Summary

Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd is a memoir that intertwines Lloyd’s own experience as a survivor of child sexual exploitation with her journey to founding Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS), an organization dedicated to helping victims of the domestic sex industry. The book explores the impact of socioeconomic factors, family influence, and societal stigma on sexually exploited children, outlines the roles of various players in the sex industry, and details the challenges and pathways to recovery for survivors. The narrative culminates in the successful advocacy for the Safe Harbor Act for Sexually Exploited Youth. The text addresses themes of child sexual exploitation, abuse, and systemic neglect.