Commentary Archives - Page 10 of 13 - Shared Hope International

August 20, 2013 by SHI Staff

“You just don’t get it!”: Understand the teenage brain and its vulnerability

The average age of entry into commercial sexual exploitation is 13 years old. At this age, the brain has started an important stage of development during which a teenager is gaining vital decision-making skills. A trafficker understands that the teenager is going through pivotal changes and manipulates them during this tender point. They capture them young and create bonds that solidify as this brain development continues.

A teenager can sometimes seem like an alien who has taken over the body of a previously delightful child. At this age, they seriously begin questioning why they shouldn’t jump off the proverbial bridge if everyone else is. Adults wonder, ‘What is wrong with them?’ Well…nothing is wrong. Teenage years are a key time in brain development. Unfortunately, this makes teenagers prime targets for traffickers. The average age that children are first exploited in sex trafficking is 13.

As soon as puberty hits, the brain begins a massive undertaking that lasts until about the age of 25. This amazing process is integral in developing humans with more sophisticated reasoning and decision-making. Here are the highlights:

1. The brain begins to prune away synapses, which help signals pass throughout the brain. Those that have never been used are removed, effectively “de-cluttering” the brain and allowing for faster thinking.

2. The connection between the frontal lobe and the hippocampus strengthens. The frontal lobe is responsible for decision-making. The hippocampus plays a role in processing experiences and storing them as memories. It is particularly stimulated by new experiences. When these two parts combine, the brain is able to better use experience to inform decisions. However, during adolescence the hippocampus highly craves new experiences. This leads teenagers to take more risks than they would have before.

3. The connection between the right and left sides of the brain strengthens. This allows for more complex thinking processes. A teen is learning to weigh several factors at once.

(David Dobbs, “Beautiful Brains,” http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/teenage-brains/dobbs-text; Richard Know, “The Teenage Brain: It’s Just Not Grown Up Yet,” http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124119468; Sarah Jayne Blackmore, “The Mysterious Workings of the Adolescent Brain,” http://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_jayne_blakemore_the_mysterious_workings_of_the_adolescent_brain.html)

With all of these changes, teens are vulnerable to traffickers who have mastered manipulation. The trafficker perceives that teenagers feel misunderstood and knows that a teenager will be drawn to someone who shows sympathy. In order to appeal to their increased attraction to novelty and risk, the trafficker provides an environment different from what they have experienced to date. The trafficker also understands that an adolescent craves acceptance from those outside of the home. This is the brain preparing the adolescent to leave the nest one day. Anna was 12 when a trafficker slowly and sweetly inserted himself into her trust. She felt misunderstood and was afraid that her adoptive Christian family would give her back like so many foster parents had in the past. He listened to her fears, becoming her best and only friend. After a fight with her mother, Anna ran away with her friend…who then trafficked her. Anna was only 13 years old and her pimp became her world.

Because they only are beginning to use their brains’ connection between experience and decision making, teens are ripe for a trafficker’s twisted influence. Every teen is vulnerable. So, how do you protect these young people? Keep watch. If you see signs that a girl is at risk of being trafficked, ask questions. Teach them about the dangers they face by showing them Chosen, a resource Shared Hope created to make the conversation easier. This documentary tells the story of two teenage girls who were tricked into trafficking.

Don’t forget to also patiently show love, support, and guidance. And make an effort to foster a teen’s increased attraction to risk. Granting them new experiences in a productive, safe, and healthy environment is invaluable to their brain development and it ensures that they are protected during the process.

If you need help or guidance, or want to report a suspected case of human trafficking, call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Tipline 1-800-THE-LOST.

August 8, 2013 by Shamere

Unavoidable Destiny | College Recruitment: Pimps and Their Master Plan

The number one question may adults ask children is “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Depending on the age of the child the response may vary. Some may answer a doctor, teacher, nurse, etc. Following the response of the child the adult may reference the importance of education and doing well in school. It is fair to say parents instill the importance of education in their children from an early age. Pimps use this as a recruitment tactic to manipulate individuals into the dark world of sex trafficking.

As far back as I can remember, I wanted be an attorney. I could see myself in the courtroom defending others and would often times dress up in my mother’s clothes pretending to be an attorney with my dolls as my client. My passion grew stronger as I began to pursue an undergraduate degree. This same passion was the source of manipulation that my pimp used to capture me into the dark underground culture we know today as sex trafficking. I was pursuing a degree in legal studies at St. Johns University under a full athletic scholarship. The summer before my junior year, I was injured during track practice. Though it was only a pulled hamstring, it represented the end of my track scholarship and potentially my college career. Finding myself $3,000 short for the spring semester, I met a man who offered to help me pay for school. I was cautious to take the offer but eager to return to school and complete my degree, so decided to take the risk. In the end, the risk ended up greater than I ever imagined. I spent 18 months under the control of a brutal pimp. He continued to promise to send me back to school but as each semester came and went, the reality that I was not returning became evident. Looking back it was as if my passion to complete my education was a blindfold that prevented me from seeing the truth and gave my trafficker the ability to manipulate me.

But my dream never faded.

Last week, I received my acceptance letter to continue my criminal justice education at Loyola University. I had mixed emotions about this. While a part of me was excited that I can continue another leg of my journey toward restoration, a part of me was nervous. That passion to become an attorney still lives in me and I quickly remember the end results of the last time I tried to exercise this passion for education. In the split of a second, I began thinking I had no money to return to school so how will I enroll. In fact, it was due to the lack of money why it was so easy for me to be recruited by my trafficker.

The Holy Spirit has a way of working things out because he sent people around me who were more excited about my acceptance to college than I was. It was through these moments that the Lord began to speak. I don’t have to be fearful about going after my dreams because He will provide. Moreover, this time I am more prepared, aware and knowledgeable.

As college students return to school this week, I know they are excited but thinking about the challenges they may face this semester – tuition, books, housing and food. Guess who else is thinking about these challenges and is lurking around college campuses – PIMPS!!!! They are setting up shop looking for that individual in need of some assistance.

I encourage college students to be aware of pimps and ask questions. If you feel like it’s too good to be true, it probably is, don’t ignore your gut feeling. There are resources available to assist you on your college journey. Ask questions, seek answers, and find solutions without being discouraged. Know that pimps are tricky and master manipulators who will try to convince you to make a decision you will later regret.

It happened to me don’t let it happen to you.

To learn more about pimp recruitment, control and manipulation from Shamere McKenzie join us at Sharing the Hope 2013 JuST Conference November 7-9 in Washington, D.C. To register, visit: www.sharedhope.org/sharingthehope

July 2, 2013 by Shamere

Unavoidable Destiny | Celebrating Independence

July 4th commemorates U.S. independence from Great Britain 237 years ago. It was another 87 years before slavery was abolished. But has slavery really been abolished? Is everyone free? When will victims of human trafficking celebrate their “independence day”?

Firecrackers, parades, sales, and the décor of red, white and blue can be seen and heard each year as we celebrate Independence Day. Our freedom in the U.S. was hard won and indeed should be celebrated! But we must remain aware that not everyone is free—freedom is only a dream for many. There is no celebration of independence for victims of sex trafficking. While the U. S. declared itself free of Great Britain 237 years ago, encoding our rights and freedoms into the law of the land involved the efforts of many. Similarly, victims of human trafficking will achieve independence because of the efforts of many.

My own transformation from victim to survivor to liberator was assisted by many people that gave me strength to carry on my fight. To begin with, I received services that addressed the psychological trauma I endured while enslaved. Wonderful people in the anti-trafficking community provided support and encouragement which enabled me to confidently pursue my dreams. Kevin Bales shared my story in his book, The Slave Next Door, and introduced me to the idea that I could use my story as a tool to educate, inform, warn, encourage and even liberate others! I am empowered when my voice is heard by Attorneys General from around the country and when my employer, Shared Hope, seeks my advice on policy. And I am deeply grateful for the help of Betty Llorente, past president of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys who made my case the first human trafficking case taken on by the Dade County “Put Something Back” pro bono project.

In 1776, John Adams, leading advocate of America’s freedom said of Independence Day: “It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty… solemnized with pomp and parade…from one end of this continent to the other….”

As I read this I wondered when and how we will celebrate the day of deliverance for victims of human trafficking. I didn’t have to think long to realize there is already much to celebrate—I see survivors around the country who are playing an active role in the fight against human trafficking; they are writing books, putting on plays, providing services to other survivors, running successful businesses and much more. And I celebrate my recent graduation from college and my involvement in the anti-trafficking movement provides proof to other survivors that we can be overcomers.

Most of all, I celebrate the anointing of Jesus Christ on my life as I continue this journey, carrying out what I believe to be a divine assignment. What are you celebrating this Independence Day?

April 24, 2013 by SHI Staff

As LGBTQ Youth Face Pressure At Home, Risk of Exploitation May Increase

According to the National Runaway Switchboard, between 1.6 and 2.8 million young people run away from home each year. These runaway youth need food and shelter, and may also be looking for acceptance and love they didn’t get at home. Their need to survive combined with their desire to be loved puts them at high risk of being trafficked.

Teens have a variety of reasons for running away, but the most common reasons may surprise you. One of the myths about runaway teens is that they leave home because they don’t want to follow their parents’ rules. The truth is that many leave home because they’re being abused, or because a family member is an addict. Many runaways honestly think they’ll be safer on the streets than at home, because “home” is violent and dangerous.

There is another disturbing trend on the rise among runaway teens – leaving home because they’ve been ostracized or even punished because of their sexual orientation. Studies have shown that between 20 and 40 percent of runaway youth identify themselves as LGBT, though the actual number could be much higher because some LGBT teens don’t self-identify.

For these kids, the place where they were supposed to be loved and kept safe becomes a place of isolation and neglect because their parents and/or siblings are unwilling to accept their sexuality At best these kids experience isolation, at worst – violent conflict and abuse.

LGBT teens who run away are not always welcome in shelters, either. They may experience the same isolation they experienced at home, causing them to live on the streets, where they’re at even greater risk of being trafficked. Traffickers and pimps prey on vulnerable kids, promising them money, shelter, and the acceptance they so desperately long for. But instead of finding a safe, happy new home, these kids find themselves forced into prostitution, threatened with violence if they try to leave.

Parents who struggle to accept a child’s LGBT lifestyle would never want their kids to be harmed or exploited. Shared Hope encourages parents to seek out resources that can help the entire family process and talk through their thoughts and feelings, and make sure the home is a safe and loving environment for every family member.

Here are a few resources (please note the resources may not reflect the opinion of Shared Hope):

StopBullying.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

It Gets Better Project

March 5, 2013 by SHI Staff

The Justice Conference 2013 – Defenders’ Theology

5,000 people.

5,000 people is about how many people showed up to the Justice Conference on February 22nd and 23rd in Philadelphia, PA. Almost 10,000 if you include all of the simulcast locations. If you don’t know about the Justice Conference, it is an annual international conference held every year where people gather together and discuss what it means to pursue holistic justice. I don’t know about you, but it is pretty encouraging to see so many people passionate about this. It excites me to see that there are so many people out there that think it is better to give than to receive. I’m excited that people are ready and willing to make a difference. On top of that, there were hundreds of exhibitor organizations, ready and willing to equip people to pursue holistic justice that cares for the poor, marginalized, and oppressed. I’m so happy about that.

At the Justice Conference, I got to have many great conversations with people I’d never met before. Often, I would introduce myself to men by saying, “Hi, my name is Ethan.” Then the person would introduce himself, and then he would almost always ask, “So why are you here?” Whenever this question was asked by a man, I would first say, “well… I’m a Defender,” and then I would continue to say my other reasons, like me being a pastor, student, and writer on Justice. Almost always, the followup question would be, “Oh…what is a Defender?” Then I would get to explain about the Defenders, and I invited them to check out the website (and our booth at the conference), and to take the pledge. It was so awesome to see so many men excited about taking the pledge and becoming a Defender!

I’d like to spend some time thinking about the theology of a Defender. Brenda Salter McNeil, a speaker at the Justice Conference, said that our theology directly affects our anthropology. Theology is answering the question of who is God. This question will directly affect how you see and view people.

For me, I believe that God has a heart for the oppressed. I believe that God wants people to be well, to be whole, and to have dignity—including the women and children who are trafficked daily! Deeply rooted in my belief about God is the idea that he cares for the oppressed, the marginalized, and the well-being of all human beings. As you can see, my theology directly affects my anthropology. And I think yours does too. Think about that yourself, and ask this question: how do I view God and how does that affect how I view people? I think as Defenders, we need to have a Defenders theology. God cares for the widows and orphans, and he cares for women and children. Everyone has dignity. Everyone has rights. As a Defender, we are called to end the demand for commercial sex because that is at the heart of God’s desires.

I’ll end with another quote by Rev. Brenda Salter McNeil. “God is raising an army that is going to do justice and love mercy” and “God is [definitely] doing something unusual.” Defenders, its time to take action. We have the support of at least 10,000 other people who care about what we are doing to bring about justice. Be encouraged by that, and lets make a difference. Lets end the demand.