Guest, Author at Shared Hope International

February 4, 2011 by Guest

Vigilante Journalism Exposes Planned Parenthood

On February 1, 2011 a Planned Parenthood sting video was released by Live Action, a pro-life group known for its investigative journalism. The video features a man and a woman posing as sex traffickers inquiring about contraceptives, STD testing and abortions at a New Jersey Planned Parenthood clinic. They are explicit about their involvement in the commercial sex industry and their use of illegal immigrant sex slaves as young as 14 years old. The video showed the Planned Parenthood clinic manager explaining tactics to evade mandatory reporting laws, directing the traffickers to an abortion clinic that will ask fewer questions and giving them tips on how to receive cheaper birth control. In response, Planned Parenthood fired the New Jersey clinic manager who appeared in the video providing assistance to the traffickers.

This video is reminiscent of a similar video operation conducted at the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), an organization that provides housing assistance and services to low-income people. When the ACORN undercover video, produced by James O’Keefe and Hannah Giles, was released September 2009, many were shocked by the organization’s apparent willingness to aid pimps in the illegal commercial sex business. O’Keefe and Giles posed as a pimp and prostitute looking for help with their taxes and housing. The video shows O’Keefe and Giles receiving tax tips from an ACORN employee after explicitly telling the ACORN employee that they are involved in the commercial sex industry by prostituting foreign minors.

For ACORN, O’Keefe’s undercover video proved detrimental. Once the video was released, ACORN’s reputation was tarnished, causing huge losses in federal and private funding – forcing the company to close offices around the nation. Though Planned Parenthood has claimed its share of controversy over providing abortion services, aiding sex traffickers is a new strike against the group. According to a Washington Post article “Planned Parenthood receives tens of millions of dollars each year from the federal government to provide non-abortion family planning services to low-income people.” If the effects of the ACORN video are any indication of Planned Parenthood’s fate, the organization could suffer serious, and perhaps irreversible, damage.

January 30, 2011 by Guest

I’m Not Buying It – Promoting Zero Tolerance for Buying Children for Sex at the Super Bowl

An American tradition since 1967, the NFL Super Bowl can easily be described as the biggest, wildest, most passionate, most glorified, and most flamboyant display of team loyalty of the year. On February 6, 2011, the play off of all play offs will be held in Arlington, TX at the infamous Cowboy’s Stadium which can hold up to 110,000 people. Between the crazy parties, the swarms of football fans, and the weeks of chaos leading up to this grand event, there is little room for error when it comes to protecting innocent children from being commercially sexually exploited by Super Bowl fans.

Traffick911, Shared Hope International, and other advocates have partnered for the national I’m Not Buying It Super Bowl campaign, launched on January 7, 2011. The campaign aims to raise awareness and deter the purchase of children for sex during Super Bowl XLV.

While throngs of football fans are looking for a good time, some seek to commit the heinous crime of purchasing sex with a minor. This demand drives traffickers to recruit and transport women, teens, and children to the area to be used by fans for commercial sex acts—producing millions of dollars in profit for the trafficker. Local groups are already seeing the effect of this market dynamic as thousands of prostituted victims are being transported to the area with even more expected to arrive for Super Bowl XLV, according to recent research by The Shapiro Law Firm and the Dallas Women’s Foundation. They released a study this month revealing that as many as 740 underage minors are trafficked statewide every month.

We’ve issued a zero tolerance policy for child sex trafficking at the Super Bowl this year. Thankfully, a few other organizations have joined us in this stance, including local law enforcement.

The area is uniting over this cause as billboards go up and police crack down. One billboard targets buyers by showing the mug shots of four convicted men who tried to buy sex in Arlington above the words “Dear John, You Never Know! This Could Be You.” If the prospect of being publicly humiliated doesn’t deter potential buyers, then perhaps they’ll run into one of the many police stings set up by Arlington Police Department.

With February 6 just around the corner, America’s youth need us to unite more than ever and take a stand for their freedom because pimps and “johns” certainly won’t. Join the I’m Not Buying Itcampaign to spread awareness and protect children from being enslaved in the commercial sex market this Super Bowl season. Get started by signing a petition to ask the Super Bowl Host Committee to endorse the I’m Not Buying Campaign. Your signature makes a difference.

*If you see a child in danger, dial 911 or contact the police immediately. You can also call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

December 23, 2010 by Guest

S. 2925 Falls Through in the Final Hour

Last night, the Senate adjourned without passing S.2925, the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010. After passing in the Senate and the House with bipartisan support, the Senate failed to act on behalf of children exploited through prostitution and suffering–without the shelter, services and access to justice this bill promised.

It is terribly unfortunate we could not get the much-needed funding and resources for our children; however we have been heard on Capitol Hill. Advocacy throughout 2010 led to three Congressional briefings and two committee hearings on the issue of domestic minor sex trafficking. Congressional offices were flooded with emails and calls, including Change.org petitions that gathered more than 3,000 signatures, in support of this bill. This issue was noticed!

We extend our sincerest thanks to all the champions in Congress and the advocates around the country! We will continue to fight for the rights of the young victims of sex trafficking in our nation, and we ask you to continue to join us in 2011 and beyond.

November 18, 2010 by Guest

From Pimpin’ to Prison

Shelby’s Sentence
Shelby Shaandor Lewis, born April 4, 1967, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for prostitution and human trafficking during an intensive sentencing hearing with Judge Sullivan in DC Federal District Court yesterday. Lewis’ family, children, and two out of four of his victims were present, along with numerous other individuals. Lewis’ attorney, Christopher Davis, began his opening statements by asking for the judge to sentence Lewis on the ‘low-end’ of the sentencing guidelines, therefore asking for 180 months (15 years) instead of the recommended and suggested 200 months (20 years). Davis argued that Lewis “stepped up to the plate and accepted responsibility to this issue.” Davis introduced previous cases (relating to different charges not including human trafficking or prostitution) for “equally egregious conduct” where defendants received only 96, 100, and 110 months. Furthermore, he tried to convince Judge Sullivan that Lewis would be “well into his 50s” before he would get out of prison. This, he assured us, would cause Lewis to change his behavior and leave this lifestyle of prostituting minors for commercial purposes. Davis also tried to minimize Lewis’ over 25 previous arrests for charges such as battery, assault, theft, solicitation for lewd purposes, impersonating a police officer, and use of handguns.

The hearing then took a spin when Lewis began saying he was sorry for his actions and for the situation he got himself and his family into. He said he was trying to “help” the girls he victimized, take them under his wing, provide for them, and be a father figure. Judge Sullivan jumped on these statements and immediately confronted Lewis. “You weren’t helping anyone out. You were gaining money from using those young girls and helping yourself.”

Life sentence for a victim
Bridgette Tillman, Assistant U.S. Attorney, read from a victim impact statement written by one of the young girls. When asked how the victim felt about herself she answered “angry, embarrassed, and self-pity.” When asked what the pimp (Lewis) should know about her, she said that the experience and abuse made her “angry and stronger.” Tillman went on to say that Lewis took advantage of the unsettled lives of these girls and promised them a home life, food, clothes, and shelter. Instead he put them on the street and made them work for him while he drove the streets looking for more vulnerable girls. Tillman argued that it made no sense for Lewis to serve only a 15 year sentence when these victims would be living a life sentence of shame, hurt, and pain, never able to get the years of life back that he violated them.

A helping pimp?
Judge Sullivan offered Lewis time to reconcile himself and say what he wished in regards to the hearing. Lewis again tried to convince the judge and audience that he was helping these girls and “never used or abused” any of them despite when the written plea clearly stated that he was an appointed guardian over four minors ages 12, 13, 14, and 16, of whom he prostituted. Each of these girls was living in his house alongside his own children. He transported them in his black, Ford Mustang and champagne, Chevy Tahoe between Temple Hills, M.D. and Washington, D.C., where he forced them to engage in street prostitution. They were required to give him all the money they earned.

After Lewis alleged that he never used or abused the victims, Judge Sullivan inquired whether Lewis pled guilty because he was guilty or rather to get the trial over with. Judge Sullivan appeared slightly confused and asked Davis and Lewis whether the plea of guilty still stood or whether Lewis was suddenly changing his mind and wanting to plead not guilty. Lewis declined answering some questions and instead motioned for the hearing to continue with the plea agreement of guilty.

20 years enough?
Judge Sullivan handed down a sentence of 200 months (20 years) to be served concurrently in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He signed the sentence after Lewis voluntarily waived his right to attend his upcoming restitution hearing scheduled for December 16, 2010. In addition to the 20 years, Lewis must provide a DNA specimen for the sex offender registry, which he is required to register for life. He is to have no contact with children under age 18 (including his own children) or with the victims. Lewis must also attend sex offender treatment and abide to corresponding employment restrictions.

Lewis’ last words before leaving the courtroom were “I’m ready to go.” He appeared distressed, shook his head, and took his wedding band off. Judge Sullivan concluded his statements by telling Lewis that if he could make the sentence consecutive he would do so, extending the sentence of 20 years to 80 years.

Court discernment
During the sentencing the atmosphere was tense as the audience wondered whose arguments would carry more weight in influencing the judge’s decision. Occasionally the victims got up and left the courtroom; one girl left crying, overwhelmed by the situation. Some news reporters took opportunities to interview others present in the courtroom. By the end of the sentencing, the audience seemed to be in a damper mood, recognizing the consequences imposed on Lewis. However, most of the audience seemed pleased with Judge Sullivan’s decision, perhaps even wishing that he could have sentenced Lewis consecutively.

A pimp’s consequences
This case is monumental in fighting against human trafficking specifically in the United States. Judge Sullivan did a great job sentencing Lewis, as well as being true to the law. Those in attendance saw the concerned side of Sullivan when he encouraged the family to have Lewis’ four-year-old son leave the courtroom, stating due to the nature of the case it would be unwise for the boy to be present. In the end, is it fair that Lewis only received 20 years due to the type of plea agreement when in fact these four victims—all of whom were minors at the time of the offenses—will live with these memories for the rest of their lives? Is it true that Lewis will mellow and get away from this behavior once he is in his 50s and out of prison? The case and sentence provide ample deterrence factors to other pimps. Lewis will not only spend the next 20 years locked away, he will also potentially lose relationships with his children and family.

October 23, 2010 by Guest

“We doin’ big pimpin, spending G’s…”: Why is this Crime Glamorized?

Disclaimer: The examples and references given in this post in no way suggest that Shared Hope is promoting the below types of memorabilia. We understand curiosity and investigating on behalf of interest; however, we do not recommend the purchase of such items, which could in turn endorse the commercial sex industry.

Jay-Z’s catchy hit from 2000, hasn’t lost any novelty during its ten year run in the music industry. It even costs $1.29 on iTunes—the price reserved for only the most popular songs within the virtual-jukebox—instead of the standard $.99. In a culture where pimps are idealized as wearing bright orange top-hats, luxurious furs and sporting fancy canes, who wouldn’t want to be “doin’ big pimpin’ up in NYC”? I offer two basic reasons why becoming a pimp can be so appealing in 2010, but please remember, my rudimentary analysis is by no means exhaustive. I simply suggest that the promise of being cool and making lots of money can be a deadly combination that has created an enticing outlet for the up-and-coming commercial sex entrepreneur.

It’s bad (that means good)!
The pimp culture doesn’t achieve all of its glorification just from Hip-Hop charts in the music world; the message is pervasive. From books to movies and video games, there is a never-ending list of media promoting the “ghetto-fab” lifestyle. Just ask Border’s bookstore sales representative Margaret Rhatican about her experiences working in a place where you are sure to find the story of A Pimp’s Life within a series of books about “working the streets.” Just in case one needs a little extra guidance, Amazon offers The Pimp Game: Instructional Guide for pimps in training. In the world of cinema, movies like Pimp (2010) and American Pimp (2000) have received rave reviews on IMDd (theInternet Movie Database), and video games like Grand Theft Auto, which allows gamers to virtually beat prostitutes, are top-ranked editors’ picks.

The word pimp in today’s vernacular has come to denote the improvement of just about anything. The growing world of social networks has been enhanced by a plethora of Websites dedicated to the simple pimping of one’s profile on MySpace. The hit MTV show “Pimp My Ride” is often thought of in this context, because who doesn’t want their car equipped with the ability to act as an amphitheater and circus-ride simultaneously? Pimping or to be pimped is merely the process of making something bigger, better, and brighter in our daily jargon. What’s wrong with that? You can even pimp your name on playerappreciate.com. I always thought Rachel was a little boring and needed some spice so I gave it a try. Ghetto Fabulous Rachel Shizzle, Master Fly Moore Loco, Crazy Eyes Rachel Flex, and Vicious D. R. Dogg were just a few of the names I found most interesting. It may seem harmless and exciting to take advantage of these flashy “improvements,” but when pimping is indicated by ridiculousness or flamboyance, it is very easy to forget the darker realities associated with the true connotations of this term.

You make bank (lots of G’s)!

A pimp is not only a member of the “awesome-elite,” he’s rolling in the dough. It’s the most secure job in an un-secure economy. It’s “recession proof,” says Linda Smith in her bookRenting Lacy, because “commercial sex turns out to be one of the few U.S. products produced cheaply.” Why would someone import from elsewhere what they can find right in their own backyard? The product is even more profitable when it can be recycled. In the recent Congressional DMST Hearing, Rep. Carolyn Maloney said it best when she described trafficking humans as heinously convenient. People can be sold over and over and over again, unlike the commodities of the gun or drug trades, which are only one-time sales.

There is no denying that pimping is a lucrative business. This is arguably what makes a pimp so glamorous. “The money is too good. It will never stop. It’s like stopping people from eating. This game will never stop,” were the words of one of the ex-pimps interviewed by DePaul University researcher Jody Raphael and Brenda Myers, Chief Operating Officer of The Dreamcatcher Foundation, in their study, “From Victims to Victimizers: Interviews with 25 Ex-Pimps in Chicago“. Their research estimated that the yearly income for pimps is roughly $150,000-$500,000 a year. That’s just chump change right? Tell that to the trafficker who was making $40,000 a week selling women to satisfy the demands of the gluttonous consumers of sex. Money—the root of all evil according to 1 Timothy 6:10—continues to fuel the fire of this ever-growing market, and doesn’t everyone want to be a millionaire?.

Make it whack! (that means not right)

What can be done to take the glitter and glamor out of the pimp-life? Change the vernacular. Searching the words trafficker, rapist, or abuser does not elicit the same Google images of fur, hats, and fancy canes as the pimp search, but instead, reveals truer depictions of the atrocity associated with each term. This necessary shift will take time and a complete transformation in society’s ingrained perceptions. Would a different approach that could act as a catalyst for such a change be more effective? Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher think it’s possible. They have started a trend focusing on positive reinforcement with the“Real Men Don’t Buy Sex” campaign. The Demi & Ashton Foundation (DNA) wishes to eradicate sex on the Internet in the hopes of rehabilitating the cyber-world to act as a weapon against sex trafficking.

Additionally, is it possible to formulate a pre-emptive strike? If so, education is key, and “by specifically educating and empowering young men, it is possible to decrease the number of people who patronize the commercial sex trade,” according to Allison Dunn Burque of the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE). That is why she created a curriculum that has the potential of “increasing the number of men who are allies in understanding and challenging the harms of commercial sexual exploitation.” Both the DNA and CAASE realize that society will not end the demand in this industry without the strong and crucial role of men who need to say, “Buying sex is wrong, and even more so, it destroys dignity.”

Make them pay (lots of G’s)
The unfortunate reality is pimps exist, and more often than not, they are not wearing ridiculous costumes, and they most certainly are not interested in upgrading your Toyota. It is also crucial to remember that this role is not restricted to men. A Florida woman was sentenced last week to 2 ½ years for trafficking young girls, and her male accomplice may face 20 years and a $250,000 fine (a mere fraction of their income). Also last week, a Massachusetts woman and her 18-year-old son plead guilty to inducing a child into prostitution. As I said, the “cool reputation” and assurance of wealth aren’t the only incentives in becoming the big pimp that Jay-Z advertises. Familial ties to the life, the history of abuse, and coercion can all be added or tangential factors that lead to one assuming the pimp role.

However, pimping today is attractive and immensely profitable. Many of the Facebook fans of Shared Hope recommend sentencing the sellers of domestic minor sex trafficking victims to a minimum of a life sentence. Is that sufficient? Would that create the necessary cultural shift needed to amend society’s perceptions? I don’t know the answer to that question, but I know it couldn’t hurt. It would definitely be a step in the right direction, because no oneshould be “doin’ big pimpin’.”