Learning from Yom Kippur
4 years ago
So Friend-blogger notaccordingtonormal started her blog with a post on underage prostitution and the exploitation that goes on. No, she wasn't talking about around the world, she was talking about a documentary that exposed the sad state of affairs right here in our own backyard. You can read her post about it to get more info there.
That led me to thinking that I don't talk about one of my favorite organizations enough. I read the book and it changed how I look at the world. Granted, I am at a loss on how to contribute to the effort right now, but I think more than anything, perhaps I'm meant to bring it to the attention of those who might listen.
Global trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry. It doesn't just happen "over there" - it happens right here. In fact, there was a young woman rescued from sex-slavery not 40 miles from my own home in suburban Michigan. Ever been on Craigslist? I saw an interesting documentary that revealed the fact that 1) there are sexual services offered on the website, and 2) that if the woman's face is blurred, she is likely underage. That is how many of them are currently being sought after and rescued. Many of them are either abducted or runaways. This young woman was abducted with her sister. She was found and rescued, but her sister was still captive. They were in their early teens being forced into prostitution. And the kicker? When the one sister was found and led the rescuers to the other girl, the authorities did not respond. When their abductor came out of the house, one of the relatives assaulted him. Now, I am not condoning assault, but check out the insanity - that was who got arrested, not the pimp.
She and I tell just a handful of stories that we've discovered from various documentaries. The thing is that these girls are not just stories or numbers. They are real people whose dignity has been stolen, the dignity that belongs to all people as created in the image and likeness of God.
I don't know what to do next, but I do know that we must do something. Talk to your lawmakers. Get informed. Check out Not For Sale for local updates and workshops they offer that educate on this and many other issues of modern day slavery in our own neighborhoods. Just do something!
That led me to thinking that I don't talk about one of my favorite organizations enough. I read the book and it changed how I look at the world. Granted, I am at a loss on how to contribute to the effort right now, but I think more than anything, perhaps I'm meant to bring it to the attention of those who might listen.
Global trafficking is a multi-billion dollar industry. It doesn't just happen "over there" - it happens right here. In fact, there was a young woman rescued from sex-slavery not 40 miles from my own home in suburban Michigan. Ever been on Craigslist? I saw an interesting documentary that revealed the fact that 1) there are sexual services offered on the website, and 2) that if the woman's face is blurred, she is likely underage. That is how many of them are currently being sought after and rescued. Many of them are either abducted or runaways. This young woman was abducted with her sister. She was found and rescued, but her sister was still captive. They were in their early teens being forced into prostitution. And the kicker? When the one sister was found and led the rescuers to the other girl, the authorities did not respond. When their abductor came out of the house, one of the relatives assaulted him. Now, I am not condoning assault, but check out the insanity - that was who got arrested, not the pimp.
She and I tell just a handful of stories that we've discovered from various documentaries. The thing is that these girls are not just stories or numbers. They are real people whose dignity has been stolen, the dignity that belongs to all people as created in the image and likeness of God.
I don't know what to do next, but I do know that we must do something. Talk to your lawmakers. Get informed. Check out Not For Sale for local updates and workshops they offer that educate on this and many other issues of modern day slavery in our own neighborhoods. Just do something!
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