Alright, so I didn’t make a typo and I don’t want to use your iPorn.
Recently a friend of mine went to a class on human trafficking here in Florida (love ya Road Dog). He was shocked at how high of an occurrence it really is for men, women and children. All the ports, etc. seem to be part of it. This is an extreme over-simplification but I’ve got a lot to say.
This is a topic that I’m pretty passionate about and I’ve thought about blogging on the topic for awhile and just never pulled the trigger. So today, in an effort “to change the world with a single blog posting” I’ve decided to. (Plus I’m sitting and waiting to be called for jury duty so I have the time…)
What’s a shame is that I waited to really blog about it, because every minute that I don’t do something to raise awareness, or otherwise make a change, is another minute that somebody might be enslaved or grows seconds closer to being abducted or otherwise forced into slavery.
One of the things you need to be aware of right now is that IT IS happening in the U.S. This is not just a problem of the middle east or Thailand or South America. Right fricking here!!! You may even know someone who has gone missing.
Here’s the dealio… there’s not much in the way of national statistics at the state level but here are a few I’ve been able to find in just a few minutes of searching:
California:
- 559 – Potential victims identified between Dec. 1, 2005 and March 12, 2007 by five CA Task Forces.
Virginia:
- 43 – Number of trafficking victims served by 4 organizations in Northern Virginia.
Wisconsin:
- 200 – Number of identified cases of sex and labor trafficking.
- 85% – Proportion of victims in the 200 identified cases who were adults.
- 75% – Proportion of victims in the 200 identified cases who were victims of sex trafficking.
I know these numbers don’t seem high but they aren’t accurate, and furthermore only represent three of the 50 states. I guarantee that the numbers are way higher.
Just to be clear, the number is supposed to be 0, nada, zip, null. People should NOT have to even think about this.
There are thousands in the U.S.!
One of the best things you can do is become aware. Here’s a short list of signs that might be exhibited by someone stuck in the sex trade:
A victim:
- Has unexplained absences from school for a period of time, and is therefore a truant
- Demonstrates an inability to attend school on a regular basis
- Chronically runs away from home
- Makes references to frequent travel to other cities
- Exhibits bruises or other physical trauma, withdrawn behavior, depression, or fear
- Lacks control over her or his schedule or identification documents
- Is hungry-malnourished or inappropriately dressed (based on weather conditions or surroundings)
- Shows signs of drug addiction
Additional signs that may indicate sex-related trafficking include:
- Demonstrates a sudden change in attire, behavior, or material possessions (e.g., has expensive items)
- Makes references to sexual situations that are beyond age-specific norms
- Has a “boyfriend” who is noticeably older (10+ years)
- Makes references to terminology of the commercial sex industry that are beyond age specific norms; engages in promiscuous behavior and may be labeled “fast” by peers
(Source: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osdfs/factsheet.html — Child trafficking in the U.S.)
If you see these signs ACT immediately! People who have children in these situations are often transient which helps them avoid detection. Make the call to DCF or school administrators or even law enforcement. Seriously don’t hesitate. If there’s nothing wrong it’ll go away BUT if you save a child….well…. you’ve SAVED A CHILD!!!
Here’s some more for you think about courtesy of: Stop Child Trafficking Now!
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300,000 children in the U.S. are at risk every year for commercial sexual exploitation. -U.S. Department of Justice
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600,000 – 800,000 people are bought and sold across international borders each year; 50% are children, most are female. The majority of these victims are forced into the commercial sex trade. – U.S. Department of State, 2004, Trafficking in Persons Report, Washington, D.C.
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An estimated 14,500 to 17,500 foreign nationals are trafficked into the United States each year. The number of U.S. citizens trafficked within the country is even higher, with an estimated 200,000 American children at risk for trafficking into the sex industry. – U.S Department of Justice Report to Congress from Attorney General John Ashcroft on U.S. Government Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons
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An estimated 2.5 million children, the majority of them girls, are sexually exploited in the multibillion dollar commercial sex industry – UNICEF
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Investigators and researchers estimate the average predator in the U.S. can make more than $200,000 a year off one young girl. – NBC Report by Teri Williams
Here’s my last moment of passionate pleading…
If you say you are against child abuse…
If you say you are against sexual exploitation of women, children and yes, men…
If you say you don’t believe in sexual abuse….
If you say any of these things then you need to STOP looking at internet PORN. Better yet—all PORN.
Why?
It’s all connected and these aren’t people looking for sexual slaves for themselves. In most cases, these are people trying to exploit human life for money. It’s a business!! Look at the fourth bullet point. It’s a “commercial sex industry”.
You cannot separate the two and damnit stop lying to yourself that what you look at is only consentual adult porn. You cannot know that!!! It’s not about whether or not you read Playboy or look at the pictures.
AND damnit stop telling yourself that you aren’t paying so you’re not a contributor. If you watch it, your guilty of support. If I watch a crime being committed and do nothing I’m responsible—how much more if it brings me sexual pleasure?
You’re a liar! Stop it! Get help! Here’s a few places you can start: http://www.sexaa.org/ or here: XXX Church
There’s so much more to this topic and how it’s inter-related to seemingly un-related laws like ones regarding immigration.
