Windie Lazenko is one of the most active voices battling the sex trade in Bakken oilfield. The role fit her like a T because the 46-year-old grandmother of three was once a prostitute.

As a runaway at 13, it was not surprising that she became a victim of sex trafficking which led to a life of selling her body to men, engaging in pornography and performing in strip clubs.

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As the years passed by, Lazenko managed to leave the sex trade after two decades and moved to Montana to lead a new life, reports Star Tribune.

With her experience, she succeeded as counselor to women at risk. During such counseling sessions, she learned that more young females are being recruited for the sex trade in the Bakken Oilfield.

Her work goes beyond counseling sessions. She also assist federal prosecutors, the FBI and police catch establishments that offer prostitutes to clients, mostly lonely male oilfield workers far from their families and with money to spend.

Lazenko also testified before lawmakers, talks to church and school groups and has formed an advocacy-resource group, 4her North Dakota, to reach out to victimized women.

"I speak their language from the get-go. I'm not law enforcement. I'm not out there to bust them. They don't have to play the game with me. They're going to respect me and I'm going to respect them. We're going to have a conversation. I know what is it to be out there," Lazenkzo said.

North Dakota legislators are also making laws to curb the flesh trade in the state. Among these are higher penalties for pimps and funds to help victims.

Outside the state, there are several bipartisan bills pending to battle trafficking and prevent minors from being sold for sex.

Since she settled in North Dakota in late 2013, Lazenko had helped women be taken to shelters after escaping their pimps and had opened an apartment as a refuge for former sex trade workers. Part of helping them involves going with these women to court hearings or meetings with prosecutors.

In her work, Lazenko has to battle the mindset of the sex trade workers that they are not victims as well as police skepticism who think she is a wounded warrior making peace with her past by engaging in rescuing prostitutes from the dark pit they are in.