Building Awareness About Human Trafficking

Imagine a 13 year old girl, we'll call Jen, heading over to a fast food restaurant. As she walks in, a attractive young man opens the door for her. She notices his friendly eyes and beautiful smile. He notices her embarrassment and timid smile. She orders and sits to wait for a friend. He orders and sits near her. He glances her way repeatedly. "Are waiting for your boyfriend?" He queries. She flushes. "He shouldn't leave you by yourself you know." He winks. She flushes a deeper pink. She is effected. Her eyes down. "I am waiting for my friend." Soon he is sitting next to her, by the time her best friend, also 13 years old, arrives they are the best of friends. She is excited for her friend that this older boy is talking to her. She would love to have a boyfriend. They sit and talk for awhile and then the girls realize they need to get home. Prince Charming invites them to a party. They can't come their parents would never allow it. He completely understands he wouldn't want his little sister going to a party either, he just didn't realize they were so young. Maybe some other time. He watches their disappointment. "You know," he says, "maybe I could meet your mom or dad, he smiles sincerely at Jen, then they would feel better about your coming to my party." They hesitate. He notices their eyes light up. "How about I drive you home. Since you told me your mom is at home making dinner you can introduce me." They hesitate then agree. They aren't babies. And he so nice. (To be continued...)

Chosen for what they could produce.

   

Slave Labor in the 19th century

Slave Labor in the 21st century

The Human Trafficking is everywhere. Trafficking is nothing more than a polite word for slavery. Most people would agree that it wrong to sell someone or use them to line your wallet. However, most people are unaware that there are more enslaved people now than ever before; as in ever before in all of history. On my way to the airport recently I had a stimulating conversation with open minded intelligent business people. It gave me hope. Some who did not know about trafficking are willing ask questions and learn. One gentleman works in the fight to end genocide.

The Modern Day TRUTH

Fill the stable to fill the demand for sex with minors.

They pay more for younger girls.

Our conversation focused on Sex Trafficking. They asked how these women and children were taken? What is being done to END SLAVERY?  I will address this in a minute. They were shocked to learn that there is a spike during the Super Bowl and other large sporting events. What I mean by a spike is that traffickers work harder before an event to fill their stables. Then they prep their victims, rent rooms, and make appointments. This is big business. Supply and demand. The supply is easy. The demand is growing.

Average age of entry is 14.
Average life span in business 7 years.

Back to our story.... Neither girl makes it home. They'll be groomed and taken to the Super Bowl to pawed and fondled. And worse. There are a l,000's similar stories like this in America. Many different scenarios. Over 100,000 kids a year here in America. Then there are slaves brought here from other countries to work in labor and/or sex businesses. Statistics vary but there are around 36 million slaves in the world. This statistic includes sex and labor (little or no pay) trafficking.

Shared Hope International, Polaris Project, IJM or International Justice Mission, and many more are working on Prevention, Rescue, Recovery, and fighting in court for better laws.

Sharing my blog, putting the Human Trafficking Hotline in your phone 1-888-373-7888, learning how to spot trafficking, talking to other people and directing them to these resources are all great ways to start becoming involved. Please join modern day freedom fighters, also known as abolitionists, to fight modern day slavery. You can also leave a question or comment below.  

Sex-Trafficked American Girls Are Not Prostitutes!

The following are part of my notes taken at the Justice Summit January 17, 2015 during

Rachel Thomas's talk on her curriculum--Ending the Game (ETG) "Ending The Game © is a ground-breaking “coercion resiliency” curriculum that reduces feelings of attachment to traffickers and/or a lifestyle characterized by commercial sexual exploitation, thereby reducing the rate of recidivism among sex trafficking victims." 
More about Rachel and ETG can be found at Sowers Education Group. 

Please understand that there are also boys and adults being Trafficked. However, this post is to clarify that little children do not choose to become what we, American society, call Child Prostitutes. They are manipulated, kidnapped, and scared. They are black and white, they are tall and short, rich and poor, smart and dumb. They are dreaming about iphones, getting there nails done, and what they get to eat for dinner. They may be dreaming of growing up one to be doctor, a dancer, or a mom. They come from good homes and broken homes. You name it, they come from every walk of life and
 they live right here in Anywhere, USA.

       


In a simple 4-step process those little dreamers are lured into a fairytale that ends in slavery.

Hopes, plans, wishes....

Media teaches romance and sex every day.

             

#1 Bend: The Trafficker works to build her trust luring her with whatever she needs to believe that he (or she) is safe and trustworthy. Sometimes they will step in and save her from someone who may be hurting them. This puts them in the "knight in shining armor" role.

#2 Break: Isolation, confusing behavior, pushing boundaries (the 12-14 year old girl thinks "am I crazy or are they?") Their hope for life without their trafficker is stripped away. Their self-esteem is decreased. Their true identity is taken away.(They learn they probably better stick to the guidelines.)

        

#3 Build: Now they have a new lifestyle and live in a subculture (new terms, new protocol). Positive and negative reinforcements to encourage the most productive behavior. Their new identity is centered on product value. They begin to see their value differently (I'm getting good at this.) Our brains are adaptable.

#4 Lock: Intense cycles of highs and lows (everything from addictions to drama). They further self-impose isolation upon themselves ("I don't fit in anywhere else.") This leads to further loss of their true self.

Anyone has the ability to be coerced.  The truth is at the core, everyone involved in human trafficking is broken and seeking shortcuts to love, security and happiness. The hope is that the true self always remains waiting to reemerge.

No child chooses to give up her little girl dreams to raped, maimed, and tortured by an average of 20 men a day. No child should ever be arrested for prostitution. What needs to happen is we need to arrest the so called Johns. How in the world did it ever become acceptable to arrest a 13 year old for child prostitution, throw her in jail and the man, usually living a double life (ie...supposedly respectable) gets a slap on the hand and is sent home? This is madness.

The modern day slavery of today is no different than the slave owners we all detest so much from the our history books in school. But today we have a  media filled with people who encourage and support them by glorifying them as cool pimps. They are slave owners. They are human trafficker. They are scum.

There is good news and there is hope. Organizations are standing up and fighting for the defenseless.
Shared Hope International , and  International Justice Mission are fighting around the world.
Women like Rachel Thomas, who is a survivor, have come out to fight for survivors.
Local groups like Central Coast Freedom Network in the south side of our county and North County Abolitionists (Click to find us on facebook) in the north side of our county. We are fighting and we will not stop.

Comments are appreciated. Thank you.

How Can I Fight Modern Day Slavery?

First, become aware.
Once you become aware you will have to make the choice to ignore the truth or to activate. 

Are you looking for something you can do now? Here are some options:

• Shared Hope International Our Mission Is To Eradicate Sex-Trafficking through preventing, restoration, and justice. I serve as an Ambassador of Hope for SHI in my area.
• Polaris Project A World Without Slavery. They have a National Human Trafficking Hotline, their Polaris Project’s policy program is viewed as a premiere source of human trafficking legislative and policy expertise in the United States. Polaris Project provides 24/7 emergency response to life-threatening situations, intensive case management and counseling to ease the effects of trauma, support groups, arts therapy programs, and job training/placement assistance, as well as training and technical support.
• International Justice Mission Rescue Thousands Protect Millions. These are lawyers you'll really like. They work toward Justice System Transformation through three phases. 1) Collaborative Casework 2) System Reform 3) Sustain Gains

Victims and concerned citizens can now send
text messages to “BeFree” (233733)
*Tip* A these #'s to your contacts

The information above is taken from each website. Links are provided. Each of these organizations needs donations however, they also provide options for anyone looking for ways to take action. Besides donations, volunteering, or working for organizations like those listed above there is another option. Working as a Freedom Fighter with a fair-trade company called Better Way Imports serves as an opportunity for you to able to help build awareness and provide for your family at the same time. 

Better Way Imports Do Good. Do Well. Better Ways approach is simple by partnering with companies that are designed to give women who have been brought out of sex trafficking a genuine opportunity to work in a safe environment that provides them with fair wages enabling them to earn money for themselves and their family. Then Freedom Fighters market their products. It's not just giving someone a fish or even just teaching them how to fish. It's teaching them to fish, buying a fish, and then going back to buy more. In addition to this Freedom Fighters work to make others aware of human trafficking and give them an immediate way to help.

As a Freedom Fighter, I go into homes and educate people about the truth of human trafficking in their local area and state, as well as the world. Then I provide an opportunity for everyone to take immediate action by buying, booking, and becoming a Freedom Fighter. 

Through continued reading you will grow in understanding and learn of many more ways to be involved. Check my blog on a regular basis as I build on the premise of educating others while working to be

voice for the voiceless.

Speak out for the voiceless!

If you are interested in Better Way Imports and would like to buy, book, or become contact me, I will help walk you through the process. It is a delight and an honor to respond to the compliments I receive when I wear jewelry made by a victorious survivor. To comment or message me leave a comment below or email me at momma4hope@gmail.com.