Slavery, Sex, and Six-Year-Olds

Warning: This post is disturbing, graphic, and altogether unpleasant. The idea of it is heinous and unbelievable. There is a world of darkness out there of which most of us have little to no idea. But, sadly enough, it is true. We are fighting an Enemy who seeks to kill and destroy. You will gasp. Your heart will weep. You will never be the same...

“A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord.” – Hosea 5:4b

Prostitution. The Red Light District. Sex. Slavery. Six Years Old. One of these things does not belong here...

It took you all of 6 milliseconds to figure it out. Six years old. Young girls and boys are coerced, sold, and forced into commercialized sexual exploitation in 161 countries worldwide including the United States of America. Six-, seven-, and eight-year-old children (and older) are held hostage, brain washed, restricted, drugged, or fraudulently pulled into the sex trade from which they never return to their original innocence and often, never to see their parents again.

Thankfully, awareness of sexual exploitation and human trafficking is making a swift rise to the consciousness of the global community thanks to popular media and those with compassion, understanding, and a radical mindset to see sexual slavery end in their lifetime.

Taken, a popular terrifying, action-packed movie debuted in 2009. In it, actor Liam Neeson is a former spy that rescues his daughter forced into sex trafficking. It made the world aware of a seething, dark, and terrible underground. It made parents think thrice about sending daughters overseas unaccompanied. It made dads wish they’d been CIA agents afterall. It made young women wonder why the girls were so naïve. It made me hope that it was JUST a movie. It’s not…

Land of the free?

Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal trade in the world. It ties the arms trade in criminal activity, just after the illegal drug trade. In the U.S. alone, 200,000 to 400,000 people are caught in the sex trafficking trade, many prostituted along the major trucking routes. Often, they are minors: runaways, homeless, vulnerable for whatever reason. (Next time you’re in a gas station or leaving Walmart, look at the bulletin boards. Many children have been missing for years. Haunting age-progressed photos are provided...and most have been forced into the sex trade.)

"For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity." - Isaiah 61:8

And across the shining seas

In a particularly desolate, vulnerable, and impoverished village in Southeast Asia, 90 percent of all children are sold into sexual slavery at least once. Girls and boys are trained in the art of seduction. Prostitutes are given a plastic tag with a number—similar to those used by ranchers to separate cattle—so clients may simply talk to the pimp or madam (trafficker) and simply say, “I want number ____”. Girls and boys rescued from sexual slavery must have reconstructive surgery on their genitalia from all of the abuse. Boys must use tampons to stop anal bleeding. Are you sick to your stomach yet?

Most children who are rescued are never reunited with their families; they can’t be found or it’s too dangerous. When normal six-year-olds are playing outside, receiving hugs from their parents, and as innocent as doves, others are raped and victimized 14 to 40 times per day by the very people who should be protecting them…adults. They suffer untreated wounds, pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections, damaging self-images, internalized justification of their objectification, and forced abortions. Their lives are not supposed to be this way. “Through brutal initiation periods of starvation, repeated rape, and torture, kidnapped girls are dulled and brainwashed into rapid adulthood.” – Mitali Thakor

Disturbing numbers

1865: The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed, abolishing slavery.

1964: The Civil Rights Act was passed, finally ending the war over slavery, segregation, and a lack of social justice.

2008: I heard that 20 million people worldwide were enslaved. I didn't believe it. 2009: I visited the Elmina [Slave] Castle in Ghana, Africa, where 30,000 slaves per year were sent to the Americas and other countries. This trade continued for nearly 300 years. I was thankful that slavery ended. Or was it?

2010: 27 million people are enslaved worldwide. *

- 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year. *

- 161 countries are identified as affected by human trafficking (out of 195 countries worldwide.)*

- Approximately 2 million women and children are trafficked every year. That’s like the entire city of Houston being forced into the commercial sex trade EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. **

Think radically. Start by acting reasonably.

Empathy is the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another person. Are you able to put yourself in the shoes of a child forced into the sex trade? Could you imagine this happening to your niece? Nephew? Son? Daughter? Neighbor? Kid in the grocery store line? The sweet girl in her new Easter dress at church? The brave little soccer player dribbling the ball down the field?

“To look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” – James 1: 27b

Do you look after orphans in distress? Do you have radical thoughts or dreams…or a vision that you just can’t let go? Does it seem that some problems are just so insurmountable that you end up doing nothing? Do people tell you you’re crazy for even considering such an undertaking? Thankfully, there are people who press on despite the naysayers…

iEmpathize

One such man is the founder of iEmpathize and his family. They sold their house. They travel to dangerous places in Southeastern Asia. They create videos and bring back artifacts to touch the lives of others. They convey their story. They live the stories of the victims. And they bring it back to the U.S., relentlessly pursuing a solution, another rescued child, and dreaming up the RADICAL so you can contribute REASONABLY.

I often think I can handle disturbing images. But, walking around the room filled with images of closed brothels, teenage boy prostitutes, advertisements for dances, pictures of wooden beds, and tiny flip heart flip flops worn by a former child prostitute, I had all I could not to let the tears just wrench themselves out in streaming torrents.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose…If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:28, 31b

I had the privilege of attending an arts and advocacy night for 25-30 leaders in a beautiful rustic, brick building in Old Colorado City. I love art, but what clenched my heart and piqued my interest were the words "profoundly impact the lives of vulnerable children around the globe" and the iEmpathize founder's desire to "liberate and restore those enslaved in sex trafficking and abolish slavery in our generation."

Justice Personality Profile

"You love justice and thrive on participation in aftercare and restoration programs. You are warm, loving, and nurturing. You are a caring person who is touched by the hurt and pain of others and who is moved to action to help relieve suffering. You are understanding, tenderhearted, and compassionate." I am a Restoration Personality. iEmpathize gives you a chace to iExplore your personality type in regards to social justice issues. Go to iExplore to "explore your personality" to take an ever-so-brief, 13-question survey. When finished, you'll know where your heart and gifts lie and get a sweet 6-page PDF that describes Non-Governmental Organizations with which you can partner, advocacy efforts, and ways to get involved utilizing your justice personality.

July 24: Scooter Hero

A man named Yeng quit his lucrative job and ride his scooter around remote villages in Asia. He educates and warns families of the dangers of sex traffickers, the pitfalls of quick money, and the warning signs. In honor of him and his ministry to families and protecting children, iEmpathize is hosting the Scooter Hero Ride and Rally on July 24, 2010. Riders (or walkers) will traverse Downtown Denver from the Pepsi Center to Coors Field and back, raising money, wearing superhero capes, and spreading the word about human sex trafficking.

The Bottom Line

Truth hurts. Truth is offensive. Truth is unbearable. But, I want to face truth. I want to know what's happening. I want to know what the Enemy has lurking in the darkness. And this latest darkness is sex trafficking. The demand for sex will always be around. But, the supply doesn’t have to be. You can be radical. You can be reasonable. But be something. Stand up for the children. For the health of the world. For the future of innocents. My heart breaks. I picture my nieces Gracie, Aleah, Taylor, Summer, Kenzie, Anna, Jensyn. They’re carefree. They smile easily. They laugh with complete abandon. Others don’t have that chance. And I, for one, will do what I can to be a restoration personality…or protector. May God guide my footsteps.

“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” – Proverbs 14:31