"Sex Sells"

Sex Trafficking: Coming to a Neighborhood Near You
I used to believe a couple myths: such as the myth that human trafficking takes place in dark corners of faraway, third-world countries. And then there’s the myth that women in prostitution are just “that type” of women, choosing that lifestyle. I also believed that in our advanced, western civilization -- with democracy and equal rights and education -- we had put an end to barbarism and slavery.

Appallingly, certain human realities persist in the 21st century: greed, lust, poverty, abuse of power, the misuse of sex, the corruption of the Free Market, and the woeful vulnerability of women and children. If any issue confirms the basic depravity of man, it is human trafficking.

Yet, when we take action to protect the victims -- who aren’t even our own kin -- we reflect the image of God. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, behaved in radical contrast to the norms of His day by esteeming and defending women – all of them. He sheltered and valued children – all of them. He called for justice for the oppressed, release for the captives, and restoration for the broken.

What I’ve learned about sexual exploitation today has blown away my preconceived ideas. Reluctantly, I have come closer to this reality and now I cannot deny it or turn away. Let me share some things I’ve learned.

The Scope of the Problem
Commercial sexual exploitation involves the maximum benefit to the exploiter and a suspension of basic rights, dignity, autonomy, physical and mental well-being. It can include stripping, prostitution, live sex-shows, and pornography.

We are talking about no less than a global and local industry of rape for profit.

In the EU, 120,000 women and children are trafficked into member states each year, 90% of whom end up in the sex industry. In Great Britain there is a growing number of child prostitution rings whose men “groom” teenage girls for commercial sex, through every tactic from wooing to rape to enslavement.

In the U.S. it’s estimated that 100 - 200,000 kids – many as young as 12 years old -- are exploited in the domestic sex trade. Many of these youth in Britain and the U.S. were runaways, from troubled homes, or victims of abuse at home.

The home should be the safest place for a child, but for many, it is a place of sexual violence to them. Ultimately many girls reach adulthood still trapped in prostitution. Remember that often a woman in prostitution began as a child enslaved.

The Lord God told the Israelites in Leviticus 19:29: “Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness.”

Demand and Supply
According to one advocate, "Sex trafficking happens when and where there is a demand for prostitution and a context of impunity for its customers." The demand for commercial sex has increased with the availability of online pornography and a consumerist view of sex. Trafficking occurs because criminals take advantage of poverty, unemployment, and a desire for better opportunities. Young victims fall prey to traffickers because no one is there to protect them.

A Salvation Army spokeswoman says:
“Children cannot protect themselves from the insidious and overpowering dangers of those that wish to use and abuse them. The responsibility therefore falls upon the larger society to protect and ensure the safety of these, our most vulnerable citizens.”

What Can We Do?
The first thing is to understand the heart of God about this issue. How does He view the people involved? Jesus showed the love of the Father for every person, without partiality. No one is beyond the reach of His love. God’s justice compels His people to act justly and to speak up for the oppressed. His grace compels us to show compassion and mercy. God’s desire is to redeem and save and restore both the victim and the victimizer. And, we need to better understand God’s design for sexuality.

Second, pray for the victims, pray for the ones you see on the boulevards, for the advocates reaching out to help the victims, for the clients. Pray for the young people – girls and boys -- in your sphere of influence. Pray the Lord would open your eyes to see what you must, in order to intervene if necessary.

Third, create awareness of sex trafficking by talking to your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and church members about this dangerous and evil reality. Educate at-risk girls on self-esteem and “Lover Boy” scams. Advise young women to be wary of job offers that seem too good to be true.

Then, address demand issues: including pornography and sexual addiction. Ask your church to run a program on Male Sexuality and addiction. Help teenage boys avoid the vicious trap of online porn which leads to a demeaning view of females as objects and a warped approach to relationships. There are ways we can protect minors and help them develop a healthy respect for self and others.

Churches can make a great impact in combating and preventing sexual exploitation in our communities.

We can lobby or boycott travel agencies which sell sex tours to other countries. Name and shame such companies. A current example is Ryan Air whose CEO promises to make in-flight porn accessible to passengers.

Campaign against the legalization of prostitution, which degrades and corrupts everyone involved, raises the risk to vulnerable minors, and correlates to an increase in the crime of trafficking -- contrary to popular belief.

For those who are set free: physical, emotional, and spiritual healing is needed for victims who are rescued.

For more insight, I've posted two links (see below for previous posts) to excellent short videos about this scourge: "Jacob's Story" from the point of view of men, and a brilliant documentary focused on Europe. Please dare to draw near to this dark corner where so many are suffering and trapped.

Watch this space for more. Let's talk about this; let's shine the light.