SHI Staff, Author at Shared Hope International

May 26, 2012 by SHI Staff

Back to Our Beginning: Montego Bay, Jamaica

“We call it a different name, we call it survival.”

In one simple sentence our partner in Montego Bay, Jamaica defined the challenge to combatting sex trafficking in the country. With the widespread prevalence of poverty and sexual abuse, buyers and traffickers are eager to exploit Jamaican youth with offers of provision and protection.

Today, we had the opportunity to meet with our partners in Montego Bay, tour their new home, meet a shy but sweet young boy who is currently seeking adoptive parents, talk about the issue of sex trafficking to teenagers attending a life skills class, and meet with board members and leadership to discuss challenges and explore solutions to effectively respond to sex trafficking in Jamaica.

During our discussion with students we asked if they ever knew anyone who traded sex for a place to live or were forced by a violent boyfriend to have sex in exchange for goods or money. The answer was an overwhelming, YES! They explained that despite its prevalence, sex trafficking was hardly ever discussed by media or the community. We are working with our local partner to develop awareness and education strategies to inspire prevention and increased care for at-risk or victimized youth.

Tomorrow, we have the opportunity to educate students and staff members at a local community center on the issue of sex trafficking. We will explain indicators of trafficking and offer response solutions to mobilize a community of new activists.

May 18, 2012 by SHI Staff

Return to India: From Children’s Songs to Trafficker’s Woes

In the midst of 2009 and world-wide economic contraction, Timothy and Joyce founded “Sparsh” which means “to touch” and the way they have touched so many lives in such a short time is utterly amazing. It is our first stop on our site visits to India and Nepal, and after just a few hours’ sleep it was “today” in India…

Today included a happy reunion with children who, thanks to our partner, will not have to suffer what their mothers have suffered. Bright and well behaved, these “smallies” clambered all over us. They sang for us and recited Bible verses they had learned, then went crazy over Elizabeth’s iPhone with the silly apps.

But today was also a jolt of reality…a trip into the brothel, looking into the hopeless faces of ladies submitted to “the life” and a conversation with a 17-year-old trafficker.

Timothy introduced us to Samir who gave us a look into how the system works. Two years ago at age 15 his mother died and he went to live with his aunt, a brothel owner with mafia ties. She put Samir to work in the family business. He was good at it–he secured 7 or 8 girls every month and poured them into the voracious pit of the Mumbai brothel system. For this, his cut was a bit more than 25% of the $2000 selling price for each innocent young girl. An alluring way to make money in a difficult economy…

There is a large mafia element in India’s trafficking. A common scenario is that mafia scouts look for poor families with young daughters, befriend the father and offer him small loans to keep his family from starvation…until one day they call the loan and take the daughter as payment. Most of these girls cannot read or write and soon bear children in the brothel, a situation that ensures their continued service in order to provide for their own children. Timothy explains that almost all would leave if they knew their children would be cared for…and that’s where Sparsh comes in. They first earn trust, then care for the children, and then ultimately support the mother’s initiative to leave the life.

Of course Samir is not his real name…he’s now a changed person since meeting the Lord and becoming convicted of the evil he was doing. But he is not safe–recently he was badly beaten by mafia–with police cooperation–for turning informant. Saddest of all, was our helplessness–Samir shared the knowledge that in just a few hours three girls are scheduled to be transported. Destination: hell in Mumbai.

May 15, 2012 by SHI Staff

5 Books Every Man Should Read

You’re just one man. How can one man fight sex trafficking?

Educate yourself. Learn how to fight against sexual temptation in your own life. Learn how to lead your family in a way that is courageous, honorable, and steadfast.

We recommend starting off by reading one of the great books listed below:

1. The Gameplan by Joe Dallas

“Joe Dallas gives readers a much needed plan for battling pornography and sexual addiction. The Game Plan will give you the tools necessary to stop looking at pornography and never return. A must read!”
-Craig Gross, Founder of XXXChurch.com

2. Eyes of Integrity by Craig Gross

“Craig Gross provides hope! This book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking a life of purity.”
-Nelson Searcy, lead pastor, The Journey Church, New York City

3. PureDesire by Ted Roberts

“Sexual addition isn’t a minor skirmish being fought by the Church; it is a life-or-death struggle faced by meany. If you’re serious about protecting yourself from falling, or ready to help God’s people face this issue, read this book.”
-John Trent, Chairman and CEO, Ministry Insights International

4. The Resolution for Men by Written by Stephen and Alex Kendrick

“This is a well written, challenging book for any dad and husband who wants to navigate his family according to the wisdom of the Bible.”
-Andy Kaufman, Amazon reviewer

5. Every Man’s Battle by Steven Arterburn

“Clear, practical principles for sexual purity…a call for courage, commitment, and self-discipline.”
– Dr. John C. Maxwell, #1 leadership author in America

May 14, 2012 by SHI Staff

Media and News Coverage, April 2012

Apr. 15: NBC Montana – Child Sex Trafficking Intervention Training Planned In Flathead

Apr. 15: The Examiner – Lack Of Awareness Stymies Efforts To Curb Sex Trafficking

Apr. 2: SW Times – Lawmakers Work To Enhance Human-Trafficking Laws In Arkansas

May 11, 2012 by SHI Staff

Where is She Going?

Rob, a new Defender, recently did his part to try to save a potential victim of sex trafficking.

At church, Rob’s pastor spoke about Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking. Listening to his pastor, Rob felt the spiritual and emotional weight of what he was hearing. “We were sitting there, with our jaws dropped,” said Rob.

His pastor gave him a copy of Renting Lacy, and he couldn’t put it down.

A couple days later, Rob was sitting at a stop sign, about to turn onto the highway to go to the gym. He looked to his left, and that’s when he saw her. She was wearing baggy clothes, and pulling a bright red suitcase behind her. She looked like a runaway. She couldn’t have been more than 14 or 15 years old.

As he merged his vehicle onto the highway, Rob kept thinking about what he’d learned after reading Renting Lacy. He knew he had to go back. He got off at the next exit, and circled back to where he’d seen the girl.

By that time, she was sitting at a Chevron station with her belongings, sipping a soft drink. Rob felt inside that something was different—something wasn’t right about her situation. “She had a look in her eyes that said her innocence was lost,” said Rob. He called 9-11. The dispatcher told him two sheriff patrol cars were headed to the scene.

Twenty minutes later, the girl had already left, and Rob saw the two law enforcement officers speed past the Chevron.

He often wonders what happened to the young girl, whether the police managed to save her, or whether she became another domestic minor sex trafficking victim…

If you are in a scenario like Rob found himself in, don’t hesitate to call the police. They will get help for the girl.

Click here to learn more about how you can stand up as a Defender and protect innocent girls, like Rob did.