First abused at the age of 12 when a man exposed himself to her. Molested by her older brothers. At the age of 17, while a member of the Job Corps, lost her virginity when she was tied to a bed and gang raped by eight men. Salinas is a recovering alcoholic, and writes poetry as part of her ongoing healing process. She is currently the Native American Spiritual Leader for the California Youth Authority Correctional Center. Salinas counsels girls in prison and also conducts Native American ceremonies. She states that 1 out of every 3 girls in prison is a victim of sexual abuse.