We Are a Human Trafficking Prevention Organization

Debra Rush is the Founder and CEO of Breaking the Chains. Her insight and experience into this daunting industry are the driving force behind Breaking the Chains’ founding.

Debra, too, is a survivor of human trafficking, lured out and violently trafficked in 1999 for several months. Following her daring escape, she was taken to a confidential location, which isolated her from the region where she had been victimized.

Unfortunately, at that time, no avenues or efforts were in place to expose human trafficking, and there were limited resources available to help her cope with the specific trauma she had endured. In 2008, after years of guilt and shame, she found the courage and strength to begin her healing journey. This spurred her quest to help individuals trapped in human trafficking and who may believe there is no way out.

Debra, who holds degrees in human services and business, works closely with the Fresno Police Department Trafficking Task Force. She is an alcohol and drug counselor and a certified trauma professional. Debra has gained notoriety as a passionate community leader, a proud alumnus of the Fresno Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fresno Class XXXIII (33). She humbly holds the 2018 title of California State Assembly Woman of the Year and has just become a published author.

Although she has accomplished much since her transformation, Debra’s most cherished achievement is being the proud wife of Mark Rush and the doting mother of seven beautiful children and one incredible grandchild.