Liz CA Posted August 15, 2012 Share Posted August 15, 2012 Trafficking. I attended a presentation and frankly was dumbfounded and sickened how pervasive this abominable practice is. At least we were told that it was nearly everywhere. I always thought this was a large city problem but "surely not" in our small community or other small communities. I led and am obviously still leading a sheltered life. My heart broke for the rescued girls who were speaking at the event. It seems many ended up in this horrific place through foster care but one girl mentioned that her mother "sold" her to her uncle. The purpose of the event was to draw attention to the problem and to possibly find financial and volunteer support for a local facility that shelters these girls once they have been rescued. I wish my day had more hours in it so I could help in some meaningful way. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 Too shocked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denise in Florida Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Is there a reputable organization working to uncover and rescue the children? It seems overwhelming, how does one help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 This story sticks in my mind: http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=19524 In college I had a classmate who came to the US under very similar circumstances as the woman in that story and spent most of her 20s trapped into working nearly 24-7 as a nanny for no money. She came because they promised to educate her siblings back home and she stayed because they threatened to harm them and beat her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniBlondes Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 http://www.thea21campaign.org/ This organization is operated by Christine Caine from Hillsong Church. She speaks at our church a few times a year about trafficking. It's sickening and it's totally out of control. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hthnmamax2 Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 It's shocking, disgusting, and heartbreaking. And once you know about it, you can never un-know it. :grouphug: :iagree: When we were transferred to Sicily, DH and I had to take an awareness class on human trafficking. Apparently Sicily is a big stopping ground for traffickers between Africa and Europe. That class literally made me sick to my stomach. I think for me, the hardest part was learning how prominent it is here in the United States - and it doesn't ever seemed to be talked about. Ever. It honestly makes me wonder whose pockets are being lined. Especially given the amount of publicity against smoking, illegal drugs, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heart'sjoy Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 (edited) http://www.humantrafficking.org/updates/515 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19169943 I'm checking these sites. I know this is a huge problem in our backyard. Edited August 16, 2012 by heart'sjoy added site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Thanks, Miniblondes, for the link. Does anyone have a reputable source of information about trafficking in the United States, or know of an agency working to address this issue in the United States? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lang Syne Boardie Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 http://www.humantrafficking.org/updates/515 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19169943 I'm checking these sites. I know this is a huge problem in our backyard. Cross-posted. Thanks for this link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 This story sticks in my mind: http://www.kuow.org/program.php?id=19524 In college I had a classmate who came to the US under very similar circumstances as the woman in that story and spent most of her 20s trapped into working nearly 24-7 as a nanny for no money. She came because they promised to educate her siblings back home and she stayed because they threatened to harm them and beat her. What kind of whatsit blank bleeping blank would leave their child with someone under that situation?!?!? :glare: the human trafficking is bad enough, but apparently they don't love their own kids much so what can you expect I guess?!?! I can't imagine the woman felt much affection for the child and what if she had decided to take retribution out in the children?!?!?!? The evil humanity exacts never fails to find a new way to horrify me. I'd never be able to leave my child with someone under duress like that. Good grief. I won't even use my mil because she complains about how tired it makes her. Can't even imagine on so many levels. :'( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danybug Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 It is so disturbing and heartbreaking it is hard to make it feel personal in fathoming it. I too wish I was doing more to get involved in helping. I am not sure how to add a link from a specific thread on here, but if you search for "backpage" it will pull up a thread that has some more info and links. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yinne Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 This is an organization that we support. They are making a difference. http://www.tinyhandsinternational.org/ Yvonne in ne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Cindy in C-ville on this forum does a lot of work on awareness of this issue. I think she has posted threads about trafficking in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccm Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 (edited) http://www.notforsalecampaign.org Doug and Darren Elder of the Christian band, The Wrecking, have been traveling the country speaking about this horrible problem. http://www.thewrecking.net Edited August 16, 2012 by ccm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 What kind of whatsit blank bleeping blank would leave their child with someone under that situation?!?!? :glare: the human trafficking is bad enough, but apparently they don't love their own kids much so what can you expect I guess?!?! I can't imagine the woman felt much affection for the child and what if she had decided to take retribution out in the children?!?!?!? The evil humanity exacts never fails to find a new way to horrify me. I'd never be able to leave my child with someone under duress like that. Good grief. I won't even use my mil because she complains about how tired it makes her. Can't even imagine on so many levels. :'( Well, if you are willing to enslave someone, your compassionate and loving side can't be all that well developed. Also, in the case of my classmate the family that did this to her had access to her siblings via their relatives in that country and the woman in the story was likely quite afraid for her own children back in their native country. I would imagine that is a bit of a sick insurance policy to keep the person being forced to work "in line." Also, I know my classmate was quite close to the kids she cared for, despite the terrible nature of her situation. They paid her nada, kept her papers and gave her handmedowns for clothing. She finally got help because a neighbor was concerned to see her in weather inappropriate clothing and reached out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Well, if you are willing to enslave someone, your compassionate and loving side can't be all that well developed. Also, in the case of my classmate the family that did this to her had access to her siblings via their relatives in that country and the woman in the story was likely quite afraid for her own children back in their native country. I would imagine that is a bit of a sick insurance policy to keep the person being forced to work "in line." Also, I know my classmate was quite close to the kids she cared for, despite the terrible nature of her situation. They paid her nada, kept her papers and gave her handmedowns for clothing. She finally got help because a neighbor was concerned to see her in weather inappropriate clothing and reached out Oh yes, I understand. I was more thinking along the lines that obviously their ability to care on even a very basic level is seriously lacking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 :iagree: When we were transferred to Sicily, DH and I had to take an awareness class on human trafficking. Apparently Sicily is a big stopping ground for traffickers between Africa and Europe. That class literally made me sick to my stomach. I think for me, the hardest part was learning how prominent it is here in the United States - and it doesn't ever seemed to be talked about. Ever. It honestly makes me wonder whose pockets are being lined. Especially given the amount of publicity against smoking, illegal drugs, etc. Good point. I never thought of this aspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 (edited) International Justice Missionhttp://www.ijm.org/ These people did the presentation I attended: http://www.couragetobeyou.org I am so glad to see that there are several organization addressing this horror. Edited August 16, 2012 by Liz CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendi Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 A couple of organizations I know of: International Justice Mission Streetlight USA These both happen to be Christian organizations, FYI. Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Element Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Does anyone have a reputable source of information about trafficking in the United States, or know of an agency working to address this issue in the United States? I'm not very familiar with the topic, but a friend of mine works with this organization in Oregon: http://oregonoath.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne in CA Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 This is the subject of the Nanowrimo novel I wrote last year. Just disgusting, but so prevalent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 It's shocking, disgusting, and heartbreaking. And once you know about it, you can never un-know it. :grouphug: Too true. It literally makes my stomach turn in knots. Horrible horrible horrible!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8circles Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 My denomination does a lot of work against human trafficking. http://www.covchurch.org/trafficking/protect-booklet/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Two teen girls from my church did an awareness/fundraising campaign for, I believe, the "not for sale" group this year. They wore the same dress to school every day for a month or two (only changing accessories). Other teens quickly noticed and started asking, "Didn't you wear that dress yesterday?" and then they would use the opportunity to talk to their classmates about why they were doing it. I think they also had people who sponsored them for every day they wore the dress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbeym Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 The Assemblies of God churches have taken human trafficking on as both a US and world missions project. I know their women's ministry is heavily involved in building rescue homes for victims. Renay West is also very active in speaking out against human trafficking, although she works mostly in Argentina these days. I've heard her speak before, and the stories and testimonies she shares of these women are absolutely heartwrenching. Houston is a major hub for human trafficking, and I've read lots of reports that it's worse here than it is in Las Vegas. It's bad enough that they post billboards with stats to help raise awareness of the problem. A pp was correct in that once you know about it, you can never un-know it and there's only so much we can do to really help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Element Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Two teen girls from my church did an awareness/fundraising campaign for, I believe, the "not for sale" group this year. They wore the same dress to school every day for a month or two (only changing accessories). Other teens quickly noticed and started asking, "Didn't you wear that dress yesterday?" and then they would use the opportunity to talk to their classmates about why they were doing it. I think they also had people who sponsored them for every day they wore the dress. WOW. That just gave me chills. What a bold thing for those teen girls to do. I would be a very proud parent to see my child so dedicated to a cause. I thought of myself as a totally independent teenager back in the day, but even I don't think I would have been able to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtsmamtj Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 http://www.doortograce.org/ This is a local ministry here in the Pacific Northwest. Huge problem here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommy5 Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 This is basically like slavery? How is this going on in the US? I thought this was only a problem in other countries... :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 This is basically like slavery? How is this going on in the US? I thought this was only a problem in other countries... :( Pretty much like slavery. I think we all wish it were only in other countries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 I thought this was only a problem in other countries... :( So did I! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 (edited) Spa, foot massage, massage establishments are all over the place here. All over the place. It's sick. I know several men who went into a hair cutting establishment who were offered the "special". I literally can't drive more than a mile without seeing one of these places. I've treated teens who worked in them. (and clients with cross addictions who visit the establishments) http://www.freemynailtech.com/index.html Edited August 16, 2012 by Joanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 It's interesting that this post came up today. I just read our newspaper and there's an article on the editorial page by our state rep. She sponsored and helped pass a bill to toughen the laws on these types of crimes. The law also redefined victims so that those who were forced into prostitution could get services and have charges removed from their records. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 Spa, foot massage, massage establishments are all over the place here. All over the place. It's sick. I know several men who went into a hair cutting establishment who were offered the "special". I literally can't drive more than a mile without seeing one of these places. I've treated teens who worked in them. (and clients with cross addictions who visit the establishments) http://www.freemynailtech.com/index.html Yep! We've got a couple of salons and massage places that are being investigated for this. It's Vile, just vile, wicked...their aren't enough adjectives. Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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