THE ZEN SPEAKER: BREAKING THE SILENCE is the story of Amy Ayoub, a prominent Nevada businesswoman who found the courage to overcome her shame about the trauma she’d kept hidden for thirty-eight years. A personal portrait, the film explores the emotional and physical devastation associated with sex trafficking; being a survivor; public vs private personas; and finding one’s voice in unexpected ways.

As a prominent public speaking coach and former political fundraiser, Amy was burdened with a terrible secret: as a vulnerable seventeen year old, she had been lured into a life of violence and exploitation. When she finally managed to reclaim her independence, she built a new—and very public—life. She became a pillar of the Las Vegas community. She had political clout and powerful friends and allies. But despite her success, she still struggled mightily with her guilt and shame over being trafficked decades before. She believed it had somehow been her fault. And she was terrified of being exposed.

Then in 2012, she learned about a bill slated to come before the state legislature: Nevada Assembly Bill 67. AB-67 would establish sex trafficking of children and adults as a crime, give victims the right to sue their traffickers, and impose harsher penalties on the traffickers.

Amy knew it was time for her to tell her story, whatever the consequences for her personal and professional life.

THE ZEN SPEAKER: BREAKING THE SILENCE charts Amy’s transformational journey from a tumultuous childhood in Las Vegas to her emotionally wrenching testimony in 2013 before the Nevada State Legislature.

With raw candor—and sometimes, wry humor—Amy reckons with her past, and the legacy of shame, trauma, secrecy, and loss. Along the way, we meet the people whose lives Amy has touched: her family members; her friends; business, political and legislative associates; and fellow trafficking survivors who have found a devoted mentor and advocate.

A remarkable woman, Amy risked everything to speak out publicly and in the process, set herself free.

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