This is Kevin Makins.  My husband and I were honoured to have him as a groomsman at our wedding and think he is one of the coolest people around.

Recently Kevin was at a barber shop and overheard some guys talking about snuff films, which contain rape, torture and murder of women.  One of the men started to describe the one he had watched, saying that he didn’t care about the women because he didn’t know them.

Kevin confronted him and told him that it was disgusting, dehumanizing and awful.  When the man responded by saying that “it only happens far away overseas,” Kevin clarified some of the realities of the sex trade industry, pointing out that there had been rings busted in Toronto and Hamilton. The guys seemed embarrassed and didn’t know what to say.

As a woman, I can raise awareness all I want, but when men step up and say that exploitation, paid sex, and human trafficking are not  acceptable, that is when change really begins to happen. Someone needs to tell johns like this one that women are human beings with value and worth, and are not products to be sold and consumed.

Kevin, thank you for being willing to get uncomfortable by speaking up.  Men, I hope this serves as an inspiration for you to not stay silent when an opportunity presents itself.  I am so deeply grateful to those of you who are trying to live a life that does not exploit vulnerability, and I encourage you to keep at it, day by day!

Photo credit: Brooks Reynolds