Beautiful.
When I was younger, I remember hearing that the most powerful comfort can come from a wounded healer. Many of the women at Treasures have experienced exploitation, manipulation, self-loathing, regret, and abuse, enabling them to understand fully and empathize with those trapped in the trade who feel forgotten. Check out the Treasures website to read stories and learn more.
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I love spoken word poetry. This one by Dawn Saylor is powerful. Thanks Mark Whitt for posting this on our facebook wall.
This is a powerful song about modern day slavery and exploitation in its many forms.
The chorus make me want to cry…“preparame la cena que regreso pronto” - victims telling their families to prepare dinner for them for when they come home. This shows the deception that is involved in human trafficking, as most victims have no idea where they are actually going and do not realize that they can’t return until it is too late. Take this weekend to savour the relationships you have, and don’t forget about those who are trapped with no way home for dinner.
It’s true – we can have all the legislation in the world to prevent trafficking, but ending demand for prostitution and pornography is the only guaranteed way to end sexual exploitation. Ultimately trafficking is fueled by greed, lust, and power, and these are issues of the heart.
Men, on behalf of those who are being exploited, I call you to a higher standard. Stand up for what is right. Don’t let your friends push you around. Don’t cave into pressure. Develop a heart of compassion, and don’t make excuses for exploiting someone else’s vulnerability. Don’t think you are a hero because you are paying for sex with someone so they can supposedly “feed their family,” but learn to give without expecting something in return.
In one way or another, we are all guilty of exploitation. Be it our selfish spending habits that leave us with less margin to give generously to those in need, or the companies we support that are exploiting the poor through the lack of adequate labour regulations, or the way we treat others, or the sexual decisions we make – we are all part of the cycle of exploitation. Let’s bravely identify these areas of our lives, make a change, and end exploitation one decision at a time!
Sex trafficking is a hot topic now, and in a sense it is the trendy cause to be associated with. But after all the hype, and the events, and the money rolling in from donors, those on the front lines don’t see this as a hot trend but are in it for the long haul. Here is some Friday encouragement for those of you on the front lines. Thanks Alyssa for sharing this with us!
This beautiful song was written by a friend of Kevin Boese. Here Kevin and Amy from the Ignite the Road to Justice team perform “Sold.”
Powerful. Thanks to both of you for using your talent to share stories and spread awareness.
These two amazing women are part of the Ignite the Road to Justice tour that is travelling across Canada in August and September. The sound in this video clip is not the best, but gives a great introduction to the issues around sex trafficking and prostitution.
Get more information about the tour here, and check out my interview with Tara Teng to hear her heart on this issue. I hope you can attend one of the events!
***Photographers, send in your photos on this theme for a chance to win a copy of Invisible Chains by Benjamin Perrin!
A great abolitionist friend of mine, Seth Johnson, is going to Cambodia with his wife Marlo. They are working with Transitions Global, and you can read my recent post about their trip for more information.
Seth and Marlo need to raise $4,000 by the end of May and so far have $1,923. There is currently a raffle for an iPad2, each donation of $27 buys a ticket. Whether you want an iPad2 or not, donate here to invest into these amazing abolitionists and the lives they are changing…
…like the lives of those represented in this video clip.
What happens when passionate abolitionists join together with top stars and dancers from London’s West End musicals? A flash mob in Trafalgar Square! Rachel Tucker, the star of Wicked, leads this performance, bringing awareness about exploited children that go unnoticed and what Love 146 is doing to help.
Make sure to read this blog post by Rob Morris from Love 146, which is where I found this clip:
This goes to show that raising awareness about serious issues does not have to be gloomy. Let’s remember that there is HOPE!! These dancers and singers gave it their all and made people smile, inspiring thought and action.
Well done Love 146 & team!
Love these guys. Check out the DNA Foundation to see all that Demi and Ashton are doing to end child sex slavery.
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