The hustle and flow of slavery

It's not just an international problem, but it is a problem that plagues the United States. It's an epidemic that exists in front of us in plain sight, but many people don't see its dark side. It's hidden from our conscience, the reality of this issue, but that's the hustle and flow of human trafficking-- it has lulled and lured our country into placating this perversion. The truth of the issue is this--sex trafficking exploits our own women and children. 

In 2011 statistics show that over 80% of confirmed cases of human trafficking in our country were Americans. When you first think of the term human trafficking, images of immigrants being smuggled for use in the sex industry may have come to mind ,  but the reality is that our own people are enslaved.

 Human trafficking is a cruel work load that no one should endure. 

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month but everyday a place of grace should be given to the victims of sex trafficking.  It is a complex issue that has one solution -- hope. 

 Sex traffickers prey on vulnerable women and children who are looking for hope, acceptance, love and compassion. The stories of these victims to the trade are diverse, but all have the same flow; in some shape or form these people were exploited.  A common cruel thread through each storyline is that traffickers find the ones who are vulnerable.
 Like the vulnerable child who has been either physically or sexually abused in their home. These troubled ones come to believe that abuse is love. And traffickers feed on that. They  reach them through social media, or other ways,  offering a false love. Feeling unwanted and unsafe, the child runs away to this false love, only to be groomed for prostitution. A trade that captures many of them for years.

All the child or teen ever  wanted was ---love. 

Circumstances for adults who are captured by human traffickers are similar-- lurking in that adults back story is abuse. So then, abuse is heaped on abuse. 

 Some may ask or wonder why don't they leave their situation? Several reasons.  Many are locked behind closed doors. Others are closely monitored and threatened with violence. They are beaten, raped, or their loved ones threatened. Victims are shamed--humiliated by their activities,  and so many stay in it. They have no self worth left. And though they are forced into it, they become brainwashed into believing they deserve it.
Also, victims have a dependency on their pimp for survival. Even an abused dog not on a chain will stay for loyalty and food.

Sometimes victims don't  know their surroundings and are afraid to run. Typically, victims don't trust people and have a general sense of hopelessness. Why should they run? What else is out there? 

But there is hope. 

And that hope can come from an awareness, instead of a judgment that renders a prostitute worthless. This awareness seeks out troubled youth who may be at risk and intervenes. This hope comes through supporting rescues like the WellHouse in Birmingham that reaches out to victims of human trafficking. 

Human trafficking is in plain sight. It is ugly, but it has to be recognized for what it is and hope given to end its abuse. 

Some ways to help.
There are practical guides online that can explain how to start projects, events or campaigns to end human trafficking. 

Another way is to support missions that offer hope. The WellHouse in Birmingham is a faith based non profit group that is a shelter for victims of human trafficking. One of the few in the U.S., this organization gives shelter, food, clothing,  counseling, education and teaches job skills to women. You can find them on Facebook and  reached online at www.the-WellHouse.org.

Talking about the issue is bringing awareness to the issue. It is taking responsibility for the issue in our "own" backyard. According to Nita Belles, author of In Our Backyard, the following red flags can help identify victims:

A person is not free to come and go as they please; they are under 18 and giving sex acts; has a pimp or manager; is unpaid or paid very little or through tips; works long and or unusual hours; owes a large debt and can't pay it off; was recruited through false promises; high security measure in the work or living conditions like opaque windows or boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc. Their behavior is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense and exhibit unusual fearful behavior after bringing up law enforcement. The person lacks health care, appears malnourished, signs of physical and or sexual abuse, physical restraint, or torture are present. The person may have few possessions, and not in control of their I.D. or documents, no financial records or bank account. The person is not allowed to speak for themselves and a third party may insist on translating. The person claims to be just visiting the area and can't clarify where they are staying or their address. They have a lack of knowledge of their whereabouts or the city they are in. They may have numerous inconsistencies in their story. (source www.the-wellhouse.org)

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, but everyday a place of grace is needed for the victims of sex trafficking. Will you give it? 

To report suspected human trafficking call 1-866-347-2423. To get help from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center call 1-88-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733).

To report suspected human trafficking: