Modern Day Slavery and Coercion

Modern Day Slavery is a deep subject. Sometimes as I write my blog I think of the movie Matrix.  I am glad I took the red pill, yet it has been a hard pill to swallow.  

Coercion. In my article entitled Pimps, Johns, and Child Prostitutes I discuss the different kinds of pimps that draw in their victims, mostly girls ages 13-14, and how they treat the "girls" they have in their stable. However, the psychological part of this growing epidemic is misunderstood and renders its victims helpless and permanently damaged. But organizations all over the world, like Shared Hope International and Exodus Cry are working on restoration solutions. 

Whatever it takes

                                                                                           

Marked as property

Beatings, denial of food, etc

As a society we have misunderstood prostitution. Even the very small percent of prostitutes that claim to have 'chosen' the career of prostitution have stories. On second look you hear how they started. For example, after being abused as a child they decided at least they could be paid for what they were being forced to do. They thought they would have control of their own bodies and life. Taking a deeper look, you find they end up controlled by a brutal pimp anyway. (see Nafarious)

Nefarious: Merchant of Souls is a 2011 American documentary film about modern human trafficking, specifically sexual slavery has stories ranging from girls taken through the coercion of promised work, romance and security. There are also stories of children who are sold by their parents, it was believed for money to survive. On second look, these girls are sold then their fathers sit and play cards all day. (see Nafarious)  It just keeps getting deeper.

What of coercion?

I will start by suggesting that no child desires to be a sex object to anyone. Coercion. Definition: the action or practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.

               

“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.” Adolf Hilter

What have WE believed? They want it. It's their body they should be allowed to do whatever they want with it. It's the oldest profession. 

Below is an excerpt from an Article on Lawrence Taylor. 

'He said, This is a working girl that came to my room.”

That working girl was 16 years old.  But Taylor feels that the “world of prostitution” was at fault here.

“You never know what you’re gonna get. Is it gonna be a pretty girl, an ugly girl or whatever it’s gonna be,” Taylor said.  “I don’t card them. I don’t ask for a birth certificate.”

Taylor doesn’t consider soliciting prostitutes a serious crime.  After all, it’s the world’s oldest profession.'

REALLY LAWRENCE??? 

What happens now to the young girl he wanted to just have a little fun with? 

This young girl was the victim. She is undoubtedly broken. Her pimp might have read Pimpology which gives complete instruction for how to become a pimp or learned it on the street. Be certain of this, he has told her that he is her provider, protector, and even that he loves her and probably that she has no value. She knows not to cross him. He has given her a new name to rid himself of the trouble that the little girl he captured will keep showing up in her. Eventually the new girl takes over. It is part of the method used to destroy her old self and to give her a completely new one. 

Stockholm syndrome, or capture-bonding, is a psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy and sympathy and have positive feelings toward their captors, sometimes to the point of defending and identifying with the captors.

Children and women who are victims of human sex-trafficking suffer from Stockholm syndrome, PTSD, and other psychological and emotional trauma and abuse symptoms, not to mention multiple physical health issues such as STD's, broken bones, head injuries, malnutrition, alcoholism, drug addictions. The average life expectancy for one of these girls is 7 years. 

I heard it said once at a seminar on trafficking that these kids are called throwaways and that when the cleaning up of a red-light district takes place it's called picking up the trash. 

           

These kids can grow to become women (they have a 7 year life expectancy) and are long forgotten or are lost in the system. 

It doesn't matter how many kids are out there, what matters is that we seek to open our eyes to the truth. Change our vocabulary. Look at each case individually and at the same time seek to look at the big picture. Restoration is a long difficult process. You can help by donating to organizations like Shared Hope International or by getting involved in helping in your community. I hope this is a good starting point for you to see some of the realities of coercion.

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! 

Better Way Imports: Freedom Fighters

Buy, Book, or Become a Freedom Fighter!

What if I could give an opportunity to buy high quality, handmade bags, jewelry, and paper goods? What if by buying a bag from Better Way Imports you could be part of ending sex trafficking of women while, at the same time, opening others to the truth of human trafficking across the world.

It is everywhere and in many kinds of  businesses.

Women have a plethora of options for Network Marketing companies and endless options for stores to spend their hard earned money. You can buy products made by slaves and rather you know it or not you already are. Or you can buy products made by women who were once bought and sold who are now free and learning to make a living in a safe environment.

Better Way Imports markets handmade products for companies like Freeset, Abba House, Radiant Hope, Rahab's Rope, STOP Start, Basha, Artisan Lane, Nightlight, Imani, Sari Bari, Daughters of Cambodia, Starfish Jewelry Project and several others. Every item you BUY is made by a woman who has been rescued from sex trafficking. She is given training, medical attention, and a hope for her future.

Skills they that will sustain them.

Literacy Training

                                                         

 

Through network marketing we are given the opportunity to go into homes and teach people about human trafficking and we are able to give you a way to help. 

When you BOOK an awareness event or party you not only help to get the word out, you are actively engaging in the fight. You are genuinely saving, with each purchase, a woman who without your help could not sustain a living.
By asking a Freedom Fighter into your home you open the door to educating and spreading the word that there is problem and there is solution. I like to think of it as spreading hope through action.

Which leads to BECOMING. When you decide to become a Freedom Fighter you are mentored and trained to take action for these women/girls across the world and right here in America.      

       So....Buy, Book, or Become....        

Let's get the word out!

Freedom Fighters study and grow while getting the word out to as many people as they can. We learn about human trafficking across the world, in United States, in our own state, and our local communities.

By now you can see how Better Way Imports offers you an opportunity to help end human trafficking while earning a fair-trade wage. If you email me: momma4hope@gmail.com Then let me know that you would like to buy, book, or become.

Boko Haram Kidnapped 276 Girls

                                                                                   
The kidnapping of close to 300 young girls has made the news. Everyone is weighing in on what should be done or not be done. Heads of governments make threats and promises. Parents weep and cry, for their children are in perilous danger. 

Boko Haram's arrogant and cocky proclamation to sell them is shocking to many. To many more, myself included, it is sick and twisted, but, it is not shocking. There are an estimated 27 million modern day slaves in the world. They work in fields, sweat shops, private homes, and in the sex industry. They are men and boys, women and girls.

According to Polaris Project there "is not one consistent face of trafficking victim.  Trafficked persons in the United States can be men or women, adults or children, foreign nationals or US citizens.  Some are well-educated, while others have no formal education.

While anyone can become a victim of trafficking, certain populations are especially vulnerable.  These may include: undocumented migrants; runaway and homeless youth; and oppressed, marginalized, and/or impoverished groups and individuals.  Traffickers specifically target individuals in these populations because they are vulnerable to recruitment tactics and methods of control.

Undocumented immigrants in the US are highly vulnerable due to a combination of factors, including: lack of legal status and protections, language barriers, limited employment options, poverty and immigration-related debts, and social isolation.  They are often victimized by traffickers from a similar ethnic or national background, on whom they may be dependent for employment or a means of support."

                                            

The spokesperson for Boko Haram spoke the truth when he said there is a market for selling young girls and it is a growing market. Aidan McQuade the Director of Anti-Slavery International said in his CNN interview when asked if selling these girls was even feasible, "I think it is feasible because it has been happening day in and day out for years..." (CNN video can be seen here.) 

It does not matter now for these girls, or their families, that this crime is on the rise or that it has been going on for years and years. What matters now for them, is the fight for survival. Those who are actively involved in working to end human trafficking will continue the fight. My hope is, that through this atrocity, more will wake up to the truth of modern day slavery and join freedom fighters everywhere by educating themselves, by praying, by donating their time and/or money to organizations in the fight to free slaves everywhere.