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ADVOCACY
Ilonka Deaton serves as the Director of Advocacy for Jaco Booyens Ministries (JBM) and sits on the Board of Directors for The Reisman Institute, a national think tank dedicated to exposing the roots of sexual exploitation and protecting children through public education and research. Her leadership spans policy development, survivor-centered reform, and media-based advocacy.
A survivor herself, Ilonka brings both personal testimony and professional insight to the forefront of her work. She has authored and developed multiple training curricula for educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement, parents, and youth—providing trauma-informed, faith-based resources that are actively used across the United States and internationally.
Her thought leadership has been featured in numerous Op-Ed publications, where she addresses the intersections of trafficking, pornography, and cultural breakdown. Through these pieces, she challenges public policy, defends parental rights, and elevates survivor voices.
Ilonka has also successfully authored and filed three Amicus Curiae briefs to the United States Supreme Court, supporting legislation that defends children and advances legal protections for survivors. Her legal work brings a survivor-informed perspective into the highest levels of judicial review.
She is a sought-after speaker and advocate, appearing on national news broadcasts and podcasts to expose the realities of trafficking while offering a message of healing, restoration, and hope. Her mission is to awaken the public, equip leaders, and ultimately help bring an end to exploitation in all its forms.
POLICY | LEGISLATION
Ilonka Deaton is a leading voice in legislative advocacy, working to shape laws that protect children and hold institutions accountable. She has testified before judiciary committees across the United States, including in Texas, Tennessee, and Maine, lending her expertise and lived experience to a wide range of critical bills.
Her policy efforts have centered on advancing legislation to repeal the Obscenity Exemption for public schools, as well as advocating for the repeal of sovereign and qualified immunity that currently shields school districts from accountability in cases of educator abuse and child endangerment.
Ilonka also collaborates closely with legislative teams across the country, contributing research and co-developing policy solutions that prioritize child protection and victim-centered judicial reform. She has been instrumental in designing models for trauma-informed court processes—ensuring that survivors are treated with dignity and care throughout the legal system.
As part of her legislative work, Ilonka has authored several white papers addressing the systemic failures that allow child exploitation to persist, offering evidence-based recommendations for reform. Her writings have been used to brief lawmakers, support policy proposals, and educate the public on the urgent need for change within both the education and judicial systems.
MUSIC & WRITING
Ilonka Deaton has recorded 14 music albums, using her artistry as a platform to raise awareness about trafficking and offer healing through song. Her latest project, Twang & Testify, is a collaboration with her brother Jaco Booyens.
The debut single, “Angel,” shines a light on the journey of survivors and supports the anti-trafficking work of Jaco Booyens Ministries. The full Twang & Testify album is being released single by single throughout 2025 and is available on all major music platforms.
Ilonka is also the author of two impactful books:
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“Keeping Secrets” – A memoir detailing her personal story of surviving sex trafficking within the music industry and finding freedom through faith.
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“Secret Freedom: How to Gain Freedom From Keeping Secrets” – A faith-based recovery workbook designed to help survivors of abuse and exploitation begin their healing journey with practical tools and biblical truth.
Both books are available on Amazon.
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