Jessica’s story is a Los Angeles Mural found at 846 E 6th St. is the illustration of a sex trafficker survivor. Painted by Artist Lydia Emily and assisted by Van Arno and Margaret Leahy.
| Artist | Lydia Emily Archibald |
| Address | 846 E 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90021 |
| Size: | 40′ X 25′ ft |
| Medium: | Acrylic |
| Date: | 2013 |
| Type: | Community Portrait Political |
| Source: | themcla.org |
Street View of the Jessica’s Story Mural in Los Angeles
What is Jessica’s Story?
The story of Jessica is an inspiring story of bravery and courage. Jessica is a survivor of sex trafficking – where she was kidnapped at gunpoint when she was 17 years old, raped, and branded with a tattoo on her neck.
Jessica was forced to prostitute herself, and she suffered horrendous physical and sexual abuse and mental at the hands of her pimp and countless other men.
She escaped when she was 20 years old and now has a good relationship with her mother and her daughter.
Jessica says she would not have made it without the help of the Mary Magdalene Project, now called Journey Out, an organization that helps survivors of sex trafficking and/or commercial sexual exploitation.
They kept her safe and ensured that no one could find her, providing her with programs to help her establish a new life.
Learn more about Journey Out and how to donate.
In July 2013, activist Lydia Emily was commissioned to paint Jessica’s story in a mural on Skid Row, Los Angeles.
Street artist Lydiaemily created the piece to capture Jessica’s resilience. Today, the mural of Jessia’s story is a beacon of hope and empowerment in a community once filled with sexual violence against girls.
What is the Meaning Behind the Mural in Skid Row?
The artist Lydia Emily Archibald wanted to create this mural to highlight the fact that sex trafficking is happening every day in America.
Archibald included two hummingbirds in the mural because when Jessica recounted her story, she mentioned that she loved these birds, and they reminded her of her grandmother.
The hummingbird at the top represents her grandmother, and the one at the bottom represents her daughter, Jessica, when she was 16 years old.
The mural is situated in LA, where sex trafficking is prolific, and the artist and her team faced abuse from locals. This corner was a popular place for drug dealing, and the painting of the mural temporarily shut down business for many dealers, leaving many unhappy at the muralist’s presence. Nevertheless, they persisted, and the mural is still there today.
