You've probably heard some of the statistics.
Twenty-seven million enslaved today. 100,000 children trafficked every year in the U.S. alone.
It makes you sick, right? So you close your eyes or turn away, because it hurts so much that you can't do anything. I've done the same thing, and sometimes I still do. But the truth is you can do something. You can make it known.
Scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed today, I happened upon the video that I have included at the bottom of this post. I have heard SO many people talk about how little good it does to raise awareness of human trafficking. The popular opinion is that raising awareness isn't helping anyone.
But here's the thing. If we don't know what's going on... how in the world are we going to stop it?
In today's society, prostitution is glamorized. Watch a couple of CBS sitcoms or a typical modern comedy and that's obvious. Men are actually encouraged to buy prostitutes, go to strip clubs, look at pornography- it's all "a part of being men," right? That's what I've heard too many people- men and women- say. And the prostitutes portrayed in the media seem pretty dang happy about their profession, don't they? I've even heard many women argue that the women should be left alone to sell their bodies because that's their choice.
Let's get real.
This is one of the best videos I've seen about what really happens in the lives of the majority of prostitutes. Be not mistaken. The average age of entry into prostitution is 12-14 years old. According to the definition of "average," there would have to be A LOT of children even younger than that entering prostitution. They're not choosing it for themselves...and this video shows what motivates them to stay even when we, from the outside, think they could easily escape. It is truly horrific.
This video also shows the healing that can come after rescue, which is amazing... but let's work towards prevention, shall we? Let's know our facts, tell our friends, call our senators. Do whatever it takes.
It's not glamorous. It's a tragedy- and to bring this to an end is a war worth fighting.
P.S. -- I can hear the angry comments now: "Strip clubs shouldn't be included- strippers aren't prostitutes." Let me go ahead and say... I KNOW! But it's the mentality of purchasing a woman's body- even if only to look at- that is the problem. Human beings are not for sale.
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