In My Backyard
I wasn’t sure if I was going to post anything for the Idea Camp//Sex blog series on Sex Trafficking. Then I Googled “Sex trafficking” and “Detroit” just to see what came up. I was horrified.
I had no idea that teens in Michigan are more likely to be sold into sex slavery than die in a car crash. Here’s what a Change.org article had to say about it:
The high number of fatalities for teen drivers across America is incredibly concerning. But in Michigan, teens are actually significantly more likely to be trafficked into the commercial sex industry than killed in a car crash. That’s because child sex trafficking is growing at an alarming rate across the state.
In May [2010], 141 underage Michigan girls were forced into prostitution… And the victims, for the most part, aren’t smuggled in from foreign countries or even from other states. They are local girls, pimped by local pimps and bought by local men.
Then I saw the video below about two young girls from the Ukraine who were sold into slavery after being told that they were entering an exchange student program. Instead of participating in an educational exchange, they were forced to work 12-hour shifts at a strip club here in the Detroit area.
I mapped the distance from my house to the club and it was only 11 Miles.
Trafficking can be easy to ignore when it’s a thousand miles away or when girls are being bought and sold to men in foreign countries. It’s impossible to ignore when it’s only 11 miles away and girls are being bought and sold at your brother’s/coworker’s/neighbor’s bachelor party.
If you have seven minutes to spare, watch the video. I loved when Katya, the girl who was sold into slavery, says this about dancing in the strip club: “If I have a smile on my face, it doesn’t mean I’m here on my own will, it doesn’t mean that I appreciate this job and I want to be here, because I was kept.”
P.S. I’m facilitating a workshop at Idea Camp//Sex in Vegas. I would love to see you there. You can still register HERE.
Yes. Yes. And get off their indifferent and/or uncomfortable behinds and help these girls/women get free.
I think we are becoming more aware of trafficking as a problem. I see the mainstream media covering it almost on a daily basis. But I think you make an excellent point that it can happen right around us; I think a lot of people feel helpless as to what to do about it. I know I do!
On a related note…does XXXChurch network with Hookers For Jesus? I just read the Annie’s story today on hookersforjesus.net, and thought it was amazing. Just wondering if you knew…since they are also based out of LV.
Uh Yeah. We always are so quick to think this is happening in Cambodia or Thailand. BUT little did we know it is so close to us. In St. Louis there is a big need for somewhere for these girls to go and receive healing. As for the church, I feel like we can prevent sex trafficking by telling young girls that they are valuable and loved so that they don’t have to go to other men for acceptance. It would be so amazing if a church stepped up and started supporting houses around the US area whether that is through financial, prayers, or raising awareness.
Dang… it’s hard to imagine that human trafficking can be THAT close to our everyday lives. It’s easy to push it further away, but to realize that it is happening right around the corner is horrifying!
I was actually just in that same area a couple weeks ago for work, probably only 2-3 miles away from that place. I’m glad that you shared this, and made it an issue that is much more real being that close to home…
What!?! You were in Detroit for work? Or am I confused?
X3 does have a relationship with Annie :) She’s amazing!
I agree. And I love your heart, Kamrie :)
Nice that you are keeping us aware of Human Trafficking Nicole. I myself couldn’t believe the results on such a horrible thing.
I come from the UK, recently moved to Canada, not sure how bad Human Trafficking is here in Canada, but I do know it is quite bad in the UK, its been mentioned on Television a few times in the UK and I do know there are some communities that have setup programmes to try and help victims of these horrible doings. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Phil! I’m so glad you stopped by my blog :)
I was in Southfield for like two nights the week before last… I didn’t have much time to do anything ‘fun’… I even had to pass on seeing family that I have in the Detroit/Ann Arbor area. I would have looked you up if I had a little more time!
Bummer. Good thing I’ll see you in a few weeks!
I just googled “sex trafficking” along with my city & state and found that just last year three men were charged with running a sex trafficking business. Apparently they were using Craigslist to attract young girls, then kidnapped 2 girls and took them to Maryland where they were forced to be sex slaves. I had no idea this was actually something that was happening in my hometown. And I don’t live in a big city. Just a small city of less than 30,000 people. Wow.
As for what the church can do about it, I guess one thing is by raising awareness of the issue. The other obvious thing is to support/partner with local/national organizations or ministries that are already doing something about sex trafficking.
It def. happens. The super bowl will be held this year 5 miles from my house. with that comes massive amounts of prostituion and human trafficking. There are teams meeting, and the city is getting involved, i pray that it shines a light on the issue for it is very common to see prostitutes on the street out here as is, may against their own will. the church must do something.
totally unaware. I was guilty of it but thanks to the efforts of folks like Jason Wert and some of our local congressmen here in DC, my eyes have been opened. I did a series on it awhile back and was astonished to find out how much of it goes on only a few blocks from our nations capitol! I mean, we have wiped out a significant portion of the gang activity in the district, but this stuff still is rampant here. It is sickening to think that almost every neighborhood in america has been impacted by this industry and folks STILL are not talking about it in our churches and only JUST starting to talk about it in politics… it makes you wonder if this is our country’s dirty little secret that we want to keep buried.
guilty of being “unaware” – just to clarify :)
It is absolutely happening in my community. Just last month a couple who were charged with multiple counts in kidnapping/trafficking/forcing another person into prostitution/possession of a firearm by a felon got sentenced to time served and probation. ( http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-08-20/news/os-sex-trafficking-sentencing-20100820_1_trafficking-case-probation-fdle-official ) There have been many other arrests in my city in the past year…and those are just the cases of trafficking that have been caught, there are so many more that are undocumented and unknown.
We need stricter sentencing in this area (as well as many others including rape and child abuse)
As for the church’s response. I would love to see a network of churches with safe houses, where these girls can stay, and have a chance for counseling and a fresh start. That is a big project. Of course churches could start smaller by financially contributing to already existing ministries who do this work.
Love the safe house idea.
The large events really does attract this type of “business”. I’m so glad you guys are making plans for the Super Bowl already.