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. ;)

What Is Your Perception of Sex Trafficking, Child Prostitution, John's and Pimps?

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

  Is he right? What if the media doesn't know any better? What if they do?

What do YOU believe about Modern Day Slavery?

Fact: There are more slaves now than ever before in history.

Fact: It is all over the world and is one of the most rapidly growing crime along with the sale of drugs and guns.

Fact: We need to wake up to the truth and educate ourselves and others about the years of misinformed perceptions about prostitution.

Do you believe slavery ended with the emancipation proclamation?  Do you? Do you live as though you do?

What are the 7 Worst States in America for Sex Trafficking:     

Red represents area where there is more Human Trafficking.

#7 North Dakota

#6 Arizona

#5 Utah

#4 Colorado

#3 Delaware

#2 New Hampshire

#1 South Dakota

Cities??? Atlanta, Georgia rates #1 it also has the largest airport in the world. Interesting, isn't it? In California we watch San Francisco area (including Oakland), Los Angeles, and San Diego. Washington State, Seattle. Oregon, Portland where they brag in this *article, "Casa Diablo is but one of a cornucopia of strip clubs that proliferate Portland. There are so many that the city’s residents have, for at least 20 years, vehemently maintained that they have "more strip clubs per capita than any municipality in America." Warning: the article can make your blood boil.

Here is a great article on Slavery. Click here.

What do you believe about sex trafficking? Has the media and Hollywood effected your perception?

From Flashdance

Perceptions

  

Hollywood produces an attitude about the value of women. They glorify prostitution. They value women as sex objects. Intelligent women tend to be ugly and grumpy. Sexy women are beautiful and must want sex.

Why do we lock up 12 + year old girls and send John home with a slap on the wrist? Why is she a prostitute and he is called John?
   




Why have we made pimps cool? 
Is it okay for a man to rape a woman dressed sexy? How about a woman who is dressed in something normally considered not sexy? How sexy is too sexy to be dressed? 




When is someone too young to be a prostitute?

     Seems the world has gone mad. Our perceptions are twisted and skewed. We don't think twice about who is on a screen....baring themselves. We assume they want to display their bodies. It is their choice. Yet, strippers, porn mags, and red light districts are filled with little girls who wanted a normal life. First dates and proms, Ice cream cones and trips to the mall for new clothes. Time to hang out with friends. As a society we view them as dirty deserving and desirous of ....attention. We view it as their choice. Not that they were chosen. 

  CHOSEN THE MOVIE

 by SHARED HOPE INTERNATIONAL

This was written to offer you some questions to consider. Thoughts to trigger your understanding of your perception of Modern Day Slavery; specifically Sex trafficking. Join me in the fight. Request me (or another Ambassador of Hope from Shared Hope International) to speak to your group in person or on a call. Leave a question or a comment below. Thank you. 

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.