My Abolitionist Journey as a Modern Day Freedom

 My journey as an abolitionist (or modern day freedom fighter) began when I saw a flyer hanging up on a window outside my chiropractors office. A local group was having an awareness event. They were going to show the movie Call + Response a 2008 documentary directed by Justin Dillon. I just had to go.

I found this blurb about Call + Response here: A feature length documentary film that reveals the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. CALL+RESPONSE takes viewers deep undercover where slavery is thriving - from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave brick kilns of rural India - and reveals that in 2007, Slave Traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined.

I knew there was slavery in the world and I never have felt comfortable about the whole "child prostitute" idea. To what extent there is slavery in the world or that it was as wide spread as it is or that it is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world..no, no I did not know. Like most American's I got up every day and went about the business of living. I have charities I donate to and I love all kinds of people and I am sucker for little ones. I am compassionate, however, compassion is as compassion knows to do. I just DID NOT KNOW!

Do Good. Do Well.

After seeing the movie I became a Freedom Fighter with Better Way Imports. Freedom Fighters go into homes, organizations, businesses, and churches to build awareness through talking about the over a dozen different companies they represent. They could be from Nepal, Taiwan, or somewhere in the Philippines, etc. These companies help women who are brought out of sex-trafficking by giving them a different option for making a living. They learn to make purses, bags, blankets, jewelry, and more. Better Way Imports Freedom Fighter teach people about them and then sell their goods. It is amazing. It is better than giving them a fish. It is better than teaching them to fish. It is teaching them to fish and then becoming a customer by buying over and over again. And when you are wearing necklace or bracelet and someone comments.....you get to tell them about the women who made it. 

Then I discovered Shared Hope International and trained to become an Ambassador of Hope. As an ambassador I continued my growth and awareness. I left BWI to learn more and to work toward getting an opportunity to teach groups in schools, etc to build awareness. I love being part of prevention. I also started this blog to teach people who are new to learning about human trafficking. 

North County Abolitionists

Paso Robles, California

I continued reading, studying and attending events so I could gain more knowledge. One of these events is where I met a soon to be friend, Susan. We started the North County Abolitionists, in January of 2015, here in our area. Now we would be lost without Kristin. Along the way I joined the John Maxwell Team where I became a certified coach, teacher, and speaker. I have grown personally and gained more confidence for leadership, speaking and teaching which are an important part of my dream for building awareness. 

The North County Abolitionists show documentaries every other month and meet up to talk about our plans. Now others are joining the cause and the momentum is building. There is so much we each can do and sometimes we don't realize how help, which we may think of as small, is really helping. If my mom said it once she said it a million times: "Many hands make light work."

AWARENESS.  Compassion is as compassion knows to do. 
Now you know too. 

It is time to take off the rose colored glasses.

There is so much more that I could tell you. In fact, I would love to. I want you to know that your comments will help me write the article you are looking for. Help me answer questions you may have... ie make me aware. Maybe you would like me to do book reviews or give you info on how to get good books on this difficult subject. 

As the band Chicago song We Can Make It Happen says,

"We can make it happen

We can change the world now

We can save the children

We can make it better

We can make it happen

We can save the children

We can make it happen."

Please spread the word and leave a comment below. ;)

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.  

Strippers: Stripping for money or is it Human Trafficking

The Human trafficking industry is a complicated and messy subject. I have a unique perspective. One of my three jobs is driving professionally.  I get to hear a lot. I am writing about stripping today because as an abolitionist I am painfully, tuned in. It is like someone telling you not to think about a pink elephant or like when you buy a car and now you see cars like yours everywhere. Even on my recent business trip I heard two couples laughing and joking about strippers. In the back of my wine tour bus clients joke about the poll. They dance encouraging one another to be outrageously sexy. Laughter, loud music and jokes.

Strippers have the true story. They live the life. 

Former stripper Jamie Hindman (See Article) Excerpt from Strippers for Jesus: Former Dancer Makes It Her Mission to Save Others By David Wright and Chris James, Nov. 26, 2013 states Jamie Hindman "worked as a stripper for three years and ended up with zero self-esteem, hating men. She said she was raped by one of her customers and claims "100 percent" of strippers are sexually assaulted or raped on the job. Now she spends Saturday nights stuffing pink paper bags with sugary treats, nail polish, makeup and and Christian literature in hopes to win over other dancers." The article Hindman also states:  "I lived in shame of it, for 10 years, and it still destroyed me, because I had no one to talk to about it, and I felt like people would be disgusted by who I was in the past."

As with any other subject involving sex trafficking and labor trafficking there are many views and sides to the subject. In an article entitled, Strips Clubs Battle Sex Trafficking you'll get a different look at Strip Club human trafficking. 



 


Understanding an issue as sad and sick as Human Trafficking is difficult. Some say ending it is impossible, however, organizations like Polaris Projects and Shared Hope International are working to do just that. To join us click on the links above and explore your options. I write.  this blog and work to build awareness. There are many options. You can leave a question for me or a comment below.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and The Fight To End Human Trafficking

Martin Luther King, Jr. infamous words, "I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will be judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Martin spoke with passion. We have all been effected positively by his decision to share in his dream. 

     

Those of us fighting to end human trafficking have a dream too. 

January is Human Trafficking awareness month. Modern Day Freedom Fighters (abolitionists) desire to make people aware and to educate the masses of this sick truth. Over 27 million humans (men, women and children) are enslaved across the globe. They come from all races and all walks of life. Here in America 100,000 kids (average age 12) are kidnapped or lured into sex trafficking and due to the demand the number is growing. These predators are seeking younger and younger victims. Trafficking is such a "clean" word for what we all need to face is SLAVERY!!!! 

No one, no human, no matter their color or gender should be enslaved. It is sickening to imagine what they go through. Labor or sex slavery is unconscionable. Give me a worse word and I'll use it. 

The slavery of the 1800's was in plain view. There was no excuse for it. Now slavery is hidden and underground. We must shed the light of truth down the dark hole where these urchins live and do business. We must work to end modern day slavery. We must give time or money or both. We must educate ourselves and others. 

Prevention. No market would mean no need for product. 

Rescue. The more we know the more we can save. Here is a hotline if you suspect trafficking: 1-888-373-7888. Go here to learn more about recognizing the signs of trafficking.     

Restoration. These kids, women and men are broken, mentally, emotionally and physically. They need help to recover. Organizations like Shared Hope International are working on all areas of trafficking including restoring lives. Safe houses, filled with hope, that address the immediate needs (safety, medical) as well as long term needs (education, etc). Then learn more by clicking on the "what we do" tab.

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"Take your passion, Make it happen" lyrics from the movie Flashdance where Alex's friend is trafficked. Open your eyes and see the truth. Join me in my dream to end SLAVERY once and for all. Every life counts. Every single one. Don't tell me my dream is too big. Don't tell me impossible. I'll tell you that Martin Luther King, Jr. was doubted, however, HE did not doubt his dream. Let's keep at it! Let's not give in or give up! 

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.