Brittni De La Mora shared a link on Facebook for a friend’s GoFundMe on Saturday, revealing that the woman, known as Melinda, was struggling to overcome debts after leaving the adult film industry to pursue Jesus. De La Mora hosts the “Let’s Talk Purity” podcast and runs the “Love Always Wins” ministry with her husband, Richard. The ministry focuses on purity and overcoming porn addiction as well as helping sex workers come out of the industry. De La Mora shared Melinda’s story writing, “4 years ago I helped my friend Melinda transition out of the p*rn industry and find Jesus.” She revealed that Melinda was facing some serious debts and considering filing for bankruptcy but that De La Mora had encouraged her to set up the GoFundMe instead. “Moments like this could make going back a huge temptation, she’s strong in her faith and doesn’t want to go back. But as the body of Christ, perhaps, we could help our sister,” she encouraged her followers.

Melinda, a single mom, shared more about her story on her GoFundMe. “4 years ago I left the adult film industry when I had hit rock bottom and Jesus came in and transformed my life around,” she wrote. She revealed that she had acquired over $17,000 in credit card debt since leaving the adult film industry. She also noted that she knew she could make quick money by going back, but that she knew God would not want her to. “I work full time now, but I am only living paycheck to paycheck. I make just enough to pay my bills, but not enough to get my credit card debt lowered. I’m close to filing bankruptcy and I am asking for help and prayers from my brothers and sisters in Christ.” She also underlined her commitment to stay away from adult films, saying, “I will never sell my body for money again.”

A growing number of feminists are pushing for the normalization of sex work as a legitimate and even empowering mode of work for women. Sex neuroscientist, journalist, and researcher, Dr. Deborah Soh, wrote in an article for the “Washington Examiner,” that, “At the start, most [sex workers] assume that no one will find out (especially if they are only working online), but people in their lives inevitably do. Prostitution, in particular, takes a heavy psychological toll — even after leaving the industry, many women are forever changed.” Dr. Soh says that the answer to sex work isn’t, as some are pushing, “harm-reduction,” but exiting the sex work industry completely.  “Repeating the mantra, ‘Sex work is work,’ doesn’t make it true,” Dr. Soh wrote. “As sex work continues to grow in popularity, pushed by this naive narrative, we can’t be surprised by the staggering number of those regretting their decision in a few years.” With the explosion of sites like OnlyFans, the ability and access to adult content is higher than ever, making it even more important for Christians and organizations like “Love Always Wins” to step in and help people like Melinda.