The Solution to the Sex Trafficking Problem

Unlike the typical case of individuals learning about an issue through academia, books, and/or the media, I had the privilege of learning about the issue of prostitution and trafficking from the source. Having no previous understanding of the issue, I spent day after day and night after night doing life with amazing individuals who were at various levels of transitioning out of the sex industry.

Through those relationships, I’ve learned a few things:

1. Prevention begins in the home.

In the United States, the average age of entry into prostitution is between 11 and 14 years old. There is a growing epidemic of absent fathers, leaving children unprovided for, unprotected, and without leadership. When the father is not in the home to provide for his children, often, the mother must work long hours to provide for the family while the children are left with little, if any, supervision. Left unprotected, a child is at great risk of being sexually abused by babysitters, neighbors, and family members. In fact, the leading risk factor for entry into the sex industry is a history of childhood sexual abuse. Children deeply desire stable families and pimps (AKA traffickers) know this. Often, they’ll force children to call them “daddy” and threaten to kick them out of the “family” if they don’t follow the rules. When we deal with the deep wounds of individuals who are transitioning out of the sex industry, we spend little, if any, time focusing on the abuse of pimps, buyers (of sex), or boyfriends. Rather, it always goes back to two things: mom and dad. Our children need parents who are committed to one another and to their children.

2. Rescue is the easy part. Restoration is the hard part.

Although the media would have you believe otherwise, rescue is relatively easy. Most people in the sex industry will admit that they never intended to work in a strip club, brothel, or pornographic film and, if offered a reasonable alternative, they would take it. However, we desire holistic transformation and that goes far beyond getting a person off of the streets. Issues of abuse, trauma, and mental health have shaped the individual’s identity and style of relating. Past judgments must be addressed through forgiveness and repentance and this can be an agonizing and scary process. I call it, “Changing Their Normal.” It is so scary, in fact, that many choose to go back to the streets—the life with which they are so familiar—over following through toward the unknown. For a caregiver, this process can be almost as excruciating. We must remain so aware of our own struggles and the grace and mercy that we’ve received over and over again so that we will not grow weary in extending grace and mercy to others over and over again.

3. Addressing demand is key.

It all boils down to money. Human trafficking is the fastest growing crime in the world and ranks second only to drugs as the most lucrative illegal money-making venture in the world because there is such a high demand for commercial sex and a person can be sold time after time. Until we decrease demand, more and more victims will continue to be exploited. We tend to think that issues as profound as this are a world away and that only a select few can have any impact on it. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. When we purchase pornography, lap dances, sensual massages, or intercourse, we are feeding an industry that will continue to exploit more individuals. We cannot allow ourselves to remain ignorant. People like to say that men are the problem. But, men are not the problem; men are the solution. The world needs men who are leaders—who provide for, protect, and guide others. The world needs these men to influence those around them, rather than men who misuse others to gratify their every impulse.

I refuse to allow people to look back on our generation and ask, “Why didn’t anyone do anything about slavery?” This is our chance to leave our mark on history. How will you respond?

Learn more about protecting your children, from this video!