"Porn is to trafficking as cigarettes are to cancer."
To wrap up January I would like to talk about a pretty heavy issue. January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. For those who don’t know what human trafficking is, it is the buying and selling of humans for labor or sex. I would like to focus on sex slave trafficking - a topic I am extremely passionate about raising awareness of and how it is connected to the disturbing business of pornography. (Let me be clear, there is a concrete difference between the two: sex trafficking is the use of force, fraud, and coercion to cause a commercial sex act, while pornography is consisted of people who choose to make adult films voluntarily or because it’s their job - totally not okay either, but that’s another conversation about self worth.)
Sex slave trafficking is just as terrible as it sounds.. Women and children (and a very low percentage of men) are caught as slaves into a dirty criminal business and exploited for sexual purposes.
Why? MONEY.
Criminals who are so obsessed with money. Greedy, nasty criminals who are senseless, selfish, and sick to the point they steal the lives of people - for money.
Some may think sex trafficking only occurs in other countries - “that it’s not our problem.” This is where people probably visualize the Hollywood kind of sex trafficking. Where women and children are imprisoned in brothels, drugged up, branded by tattoos and trafficked into other countries by their captors. Although this is very much true, we cannot forget that this also happens in our own neighborhoods. Just last year the FBI conducted a nationwide operation tracking down sex traffickers. They arrested 8 sex traffickers and rescued 14 minors in Michigan alone, and arrested 120 suspected sex traffickers and rescued 84 minors across the US - praise God!
The way sex trafficking looks here can be very deceiving. They can simply “study” vulnerable women and children and reach out to them with false promises..
A girl is struggling with her relationship with her parents - a sex trafficker can ‘promise’ a family. An aspiring model sees “Need Models” sign on a telephone pole - a sex trafficker can ‘promise’ good money.
A homeless woman needs shelter - a sex trafficker can ‘promise’ a home.
A teenager vents about a break-up on social media - a sex trafficker can ‘promise’ love.
The list goes on and on.. It’s no wonder why more and more women and children are easily manipulated, exploited, and before they know it, they can't escape.
How does pornography relate to sex trafficking? Supply and demand. A large portion of sex trafficking revenue is generated from pornography. Adults (and minors!) considered to be “actors” in these films could potentially be “acting” against their will and must do what they are told. (I say potentially because like I mentioned earlier, some films are actors doing their job - again totally not cool. Yuck.) So just think, when someone watches or just search for these films it is creating the demand in which sex traffickers want to supply their buyers with PEOPLE for money.
There are still millions of people who think pornography is okay because of how normalized it has become. I don't know about you, but objectifying, manipulating, abusing, kidnapping, drugging, hurting, sexually stereotyping, tricking, and exploiting someone is not normal. With just a click of a button anyone can be exposed to it. Adults and children - anyone, even if it is intentional or not. Did you know there are marriage counselors out there who suggest couples to watch it too?! That's disgusting. I have been told by many people also that Christians only disagree with porn. Although I believe porn is a lie of lust straight from the Enemy all "glamoured up" to destroy marriages and to warp what GOD has designed sex to be - Jesus Follower or not, it's a HUMAN issue.
What can you do to help?
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Do Not Support/Watch Pornography!
Although pornography isn’t the root and power of sex trafficking, it is proven pornography are one of sex traffickers’ top buyers. Just think, “Porn is to trafficking as cigarettes are to cancer.” Plus, God did not design sex to be fake, plasticized, objectifying, abusive, and up for everyone to see! Whether you are an addict or occasional viewer - don’t do it! If you need help check out
Create Conversation
You’d be surprised at how many adults I’ve encountered who have never heard of human trafficking. The more conversation we create, the more awareness it’ll bring! A great conversation starter is wear one of FTND’s stylish tee’s with bold sayings (like the picture up top!). Snag one at www.fightthenewdrug.org
Get Educated
Get the facts at www.fighthenewdrug.org
Donate
Here's a list of organizations who are continuing to the fight against sex trafficking and educate on these topics because of sponsors like you!
Women at Risk, Int ( www.warinternational.org )
Run 2 Rescue ( www.run2rescue.com )
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women ( http://www.catwinternational.org/ )
Fight the New Drug ( www.fightthenewdrug.org )
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