Chong Kim’s life story is one of remarkable resilience and purposeful transformation. A Korean American immigrant and survivor of human trafficking, she has turned profound personal trauma into a lifelong commitment to justice, education, and advocacy. Today, Chong Kim stands as a disabled speaker, author, filmmaker, and changemaker who uses her voice to uplift survivors, challenge systems, and protect future generations. Often described as a “Velvet Brick,” she embodies a rare balance of compassion and unwavering strength—gentle in presence, powerful in impact.
For more than two decades, Chong Kim has bravely shared her lived experience of being groomed, trafficked, and abandoned to survive on the streets. Her journey through addiction, homelessness, and recovery is not only a story of suffering but also one of endurance, courage, and rebirth. In doing so, she became the first Asian American survivor of abuse and trafficking to enter the world of filmmaking. Her testimony inspired the feature film Eden, starring Jamie Chung and Beau Bridges, which brought global attention to the hidden realities of human trafficking and the long, complex path to healing.
Chong Kim’s advocacy is rooted in action and systemic reform. She works closely with law enforcement, educators, parents, and community leaders to expose the overlooked layers of trafficking and exploitation. One of the most troubling truths she highlights is that more than 80 percent of trafficking survivors are also incarcerated, revealing a system that too often criminalizes victims instead of protecting them. Her work seeks to shift this narrative, replacing punishment with understanding, accountability, and survivor-centered support.
As the founder of E40S LLC, Chong Kim is now developing a powerful feature film titled Every 40 Seconds, dedicated to the tens of thousands of missing children across the United States. The film’s title reflects a chilling reality—every 40 seconds, a child goes missing. Through this project, she aims to spark national awareness, challenge flawed systems, and inspire urgent conversations around prevention, accountability, and child protection.
Her memoir, Broken Silence, chronicles her transformation from victim to survivor, offering a beacon of hope to those facing trauma and recovery. The book resonates deeply with survivors, educators, and allies seeking to better understand the emotional and psychological realities of exploitation. Today, Chong Kim speaks internationally on trauma healing, disability inclusion, and digital safety, empowering individuals to reclaim their voice, dignity, and sense of agency.
For Chong Kim, storytelling and film are tools for justice. By transforming lived experience into narratives that inform and move audiences, she turns pain into purpose. Each project she leads—whether on screen, on stage, or through advocacy—reflects her commitment to creating empathy, accountability, and lasting change.
Chong Kim’s life stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of resilience. Through her advocacy, creative work, and public speaking, she continues to illuminate a path forward for survivors to heal, speak out, and find freedom. Her mission remains clear: to ensure no survivor’s voice goes unheard and no child’s story is forgotten.
She has recently updated her website , where she has also introduced a personal safety app titled “How to Think Like a Predator.” The app is designed to help parents, teachers, caregivers, and law enforcement professionals stay one step ahead of online predators by understanding their behaviors and warning signs, providing practical tools to better protect children in today’s digital world.
