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Home>Archives for Commentary

September 22, 2020 by Jo Lembo

From Coppertone to Cuties

In Shared Hope’s 22 years of fighting against the sex trafficking of minors in the USA, we have watched the sexualization of children change with the culture.  

The 1950’s Coppertone billboard of the tan little girl with her dog pulling down her swimsuit, is now a tame discussion as we’ve watched ads for all sorts of products slowly slide towards the exposure of more flesh to sell products of every kind. Usually it is female flesh being made into an object for the benefit of sales. But showing children in compromising positions hasn’t been mainstream. There seemed to be more of a code of respect for children, to not expose them to sexuality that they weren’t emotionally ready to handle, both as the models, and as the viewers.  Most of the public agreed, let’s let them be innocent for a while. 

The Cuties production came to Netflix on August 18th and the stir it created isn’t slowing. The film took real children and made scenes with them in sexually compromised and vulnerable positions in front of cameras. When they are scripted to simulate sex acts, the camera zooms in on various body parts. I agree with a description of one scene that I watched, posted on Netflix as “most crazy scene that crossed the line”: “There was a scene outside of the dance – a ritual in which the little girl was on her knees in her underwear gyrating, with her grandmother throwing water on her, while the camera zooms in on her underwear that are becoming wet, with water all over the floor as she is ‘cleansed.’ But it looks like nothing more than an 11–year–old having an orgasm; it’s a disgusting scene and I wish I could unsee it.

Some would say that sexualization isn’t the intent of the film, but with something this blatant, intent may not matter, because the act itself is, by definition, sexualizing a child. The reason why a child is sexualized loses its meaning. This isn’t like a book where you’re telling a story about this happening. That might be a different consideration. These are real children who have been placed in adult positions on camera, and someone is profiting from it.

With PornHub pumping sexually explicit images of children into homes and on devices in mass quantities, what do you think pedophiles are doing with this type of material?  “Pornhub is generating millions in advertising and membership revenue with 42 billion visits and 6 million videos uploaded per year. Yet it [Pornhub] has no system in place to verify reliably the age or consent of those featured in the pornographic content it hosts and profits from.”*Would anyone be surprisedthat YouTube clips of Cuties most disturbing scenes have garnered hundreds of thousands of views in just the first four few days?

“The majority of children up to the age of six years enter into a phase known as latency, that corresponds to the period between childhood and adolescence.  Occurring at the right time, this phase conceals temporarily a desire that the child as yet is not apt to understand and administer, due to the immaturity of their mental and physical structure.  It is in this period that a child channels the production of sexual energy to their socialization and learning process. It is also a time of opportunity to reach genital maturity, and for the construction of psychological barriers that will later help to contain and administer sexual instinct. Nevertheless, this phase of latency is like a light sleep from which a child can be prematurely roused in the event he/she is exposed to messages inappropriate for his/her age.  It is for this reason that stimuli of an erotic nature prior to the establishment of this process can be responsible for many disturbances.”** 

The film and entertainment industry pushes sexualization into their media and streams it to the public, now completely available online with the touch of a few buttons, which doesn’t require going to a theater or a show. The rate of exposure and potential damage to young children is frightening. “From one moment to the next, the little one jumps from diapers to the sensual clothing of a famous dancer, or the high heels of a top model brand, turning into a bizarre spectacle in front of their own family that, without realizing the danger, influences the child to expose his/her sensuality.”** 

Described as Precocious Erotization in the document Why Advertising is Bad for Children, it states that “A childhood that is preserved and cared for is the basis of a healthy adult life.  While playing, children learn to exercise their creativity, their innate talents, and form their personalities in a pleasant and lucid way. Entering prematurely into the adult world with a body and mind still in formation, a child, or even a pre-adolescent, does not have the physical and psychological structure to defend his/her rights, control his/her impulses, demand respect and even less so, identify within themselves a genuine desire to have sexual relations.”** 

A quote from Rebecca Bender, one the nation’s leading trainers in the anti-trafficking movement, and a survivor of sex trafficking, sheds more light on the result of the video’s apparent child sexual exploitation, “Snippets of ‘the most horrible scenes from Cuties’ have now been viewed millions of times by viewers on YouTube. In an effort to share the dangers of the growing hypersexuality of youth, the filmmaker missed the mark and just gave access to child porn on our mainstream media. There were absolutely children harmed in the making of this movie.” Rebecca Bender, Founder and CEO of Rebecca Bender Initiatives.*** 

“On many occasions, the entertainment industry has played a valuable role by offering constructive social commentary and highlighting the many threats facing our children. However, regardless of intent, any portrayal of a child that objectifies them or depicts them in an indecent or exploitative way is cause for great concern. We encourage people to learn more about the true harm of child sexual exploitation from NCMEC and other organizations dedicated to the protection of children.”

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Shared Hope works closely with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and are one of those organizations dedicated to protecting children. NCMEC’s assessment of the film which offered a clear-sighted analysis:

“While we commend Maïmouna Doucouré for exposing the very real threats to young girls having unfettered access to social media and the internet, we cannot condone the hypersexualization and exploitation of the young actresses themselves in order to make her point.” Lina Nealon of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation**** 

When our culture accepts and propagates sensuality in every area of what is described as art: music, film, paintings, sculpture and ads showing sexualized images, the backlash damage done to a child when they are made to see themselves as a sexual being before they see themselves as a unique and valued human with purpose, may do irreparable harm as they: 

  1. Begin to compare themselves with others solely on their physical appearance and measure their acceptability to that of their peers’ appearance.
  2. Suffer from insecurity by these comparisons, and seek to become more acceptable or attractive to the opposite sex, by being sexual before they are ready to weigh the responsibility of such decisions.
  3. Rely on emotional responses and urges that may be destructive at a time in life when their minds are yet undeveloped in the ability to weigh consequences and make decisions that are useful and helpful.

Predators will pursue, study and exploit these vulnerabilities by identifying the desires, fears, and dreams of a young person and finding opportunity to become the fulfillment by making promises.  The child becomes dependent emotionally as the trafficker/pimp gains their trust and builds a fraudulent relationship that lures them from their safe networks.  At some point, the trafficker begins to turn the relationship to control—who they’re with, who they speak to, what they do and where they go. The young person is so sure of the relationship’s veracity that they will do anything to keep the connection, despite the control. The emotional push and pull creates an uncertainty and causes compliance just to be with the person they have come to believe they love. 

What makes a kid vulnerable to being recruited by pimps or traffickers?  
Many children experience factors that put them at risk: 

  • Sexual, verbal or physical abuse 
  • Drug or substance abuse, addictions & unstable home environment 
  • Poverty, Truancy, Homelessness  
  • Incarcerated or Absent Parent due to divorce, death or poverty 

But all kids commonly experience: 

  • Feeling disconnected, looking for a future, having hopes and dreams they can’t see a way to fulfill 
  • Being insecure or lonely 
  • Having trouble at home 
  • Feeling misunderstood or minimized 
  • Wanting to fit in, be loved, have friends 

 

Simply being a child puts them at risk of being vulnerable to predators.

These are reasons why Shared Hope seeks to protect the innocence of children, and to guard against their objectification and sexualization so as to provide a safe environment for them to grow and develop into healthy adults who can respect themselves and others.

* https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/pornhub-petition-rape-abuse-videos-petition-revenge-porn-a9388076.html

** https://alana.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/why-advertising-is-bad-for-children.pdf; pgs. 26-31.

*** Rebecca Bender, Founder and CEO of Rebecca Bender Initiative

**** Lina Nealon of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/cuties-anti-exploitation-organizations-weigh-in/

By Jo Lembo, Director of Faith Initiatives & National Outreach/ Shared Hope International

June 16, 2020 by Jo Lembo

A Pastor’s Call to Biblical Justice

We who believe in a big God, who loves us and cares about every detail of our lives, often are unaware of His hand guiding us years before we actually recognize we have been called to a specific assignment.

My husband, an ordained minister, and I worked as a team in “marketplace ministry”, or the business world. Clearly, we did not need to be within the walls of a structured church to find hurting people who needed to know God’s love for them.  That message of hope was crucial for the many who would cross our path in the business world but who would never come into a church building–people with needs, hurting hearts and dreams being nursed without fulfillment. Although our paycheck was signed by a corporation, instead of a church, we were still very much in ministry, maybe even more so. After several successful careers and meeting amazing people that remain in our lives today, we were invited to return to structured ministry in support of a large church as associate pastors…pastors, plural.

Not only did they wish to ordain my husband within their network of churches, they asked me to accept ordination as a female pastor.  Because it was their practice to ordain both husbands and wives as teams, I agreed, though ordination held no particular significance for me!  With or without it I would continue doing what I was already doing: loving people, sharing the love of God and helping where I could.

In that church, a small group of young adults had been set afire to fight human trafficking, and being their oversight pastors, we were impressed by their passion and agreed to let them host an event in January, which we learned is Anti-Trafficking month. I must confess I felt I’d fulfilled my obligation to have given this social issue a place for that one Sunday.  But they didn’t quit! They kept the issue alive in the church and community with skits, t-shirts, conversations, and then participation in Lobby Day to End Trafficking at the state capital.  They asked me to go with them.

On the drive down, they reviewed their talking points in favor of legislation to deter sex trafficking. I loved their determination to speak for those who weren’t being heard–victims of sex trafficking in the USA, but personally, I was unfamiliar with both the issue and the wheels of justice!  So I told them they needed to do all the talking.

We had appointments with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. A survivor of child sex trafficking, now an adult, came with us to share her powerful story supporting the need for the proposed legislation. I listened as these young ladies made their case, told their stories, and left their printed materials.  I was proud of what they were doing. Our last appointment was with a Senator known for her no-nonsense approach, and ‘just the facts’ mannerism.  As they shared their talking points, I stood looking out the window over the seats of power in our state, and felt God speak to my heart, “Ask to pray for her.” I must confess I wrestled with it – just how would I do that? I knew nothing of her own faith, or how she might feel about the separation of church and state being breeched right here in her senatorial office.  It was a moment until I remembered my business card that clearly stated I was an ordained minister.  Well, why not?  I’m a card-carrying member of people who are supposed to pray, right?

As the young people wrapped up their presentation, I stepped to her desk, handed her my card, and said, “Senator, I am these young ladies’ pastor, and I’d like to pray for you if you’d let me.” She was visibly uncomfortable but agreed.   I stood next to her, laid my hand on hers, and simply thanked God for her in her service to our state, recognizing that He had called her to protect and care for us and that we were grateful.  Then I prayed she would have the wisdom to know what is right, the courage to do what needed to be done and that He would walk with her every day.  As I said amen, she quickly said “thank you, and excuse me”, and exited into the Senate chambers adjoining her office.  The thought came to me to follow her.  Why not? I was already in this far… why doubt the ‘voice’ now?

She was leaning against one of the large, marble pillars encircling the Senate chambers, wiping a tear. I said, “Senator, I believe that this legislation will help children like Deni to have a childhood.  Thank you for listening to us today.  If there’s ever anything I can pray for you, please email me.” And I left.

In the months and years that followed, she often emailed me with requests, sometimes personal, sometimes legislative, but the door remained open and we became friends of an odd sort.  That fall, I was invited to open the legislative session in prayer in those same chambers. It was the first time in the state’s history that an ordained woman had ever been asked to pray on that momentous day. It was my own “aha” moment, why I had to be ordained years before.

Many years later, now I’ve found myself testifying on behalf of legislation to end domestic child sex trafficking in senate hearings, and special committee hearings.  I am part of a national powerhouse organization, Shared Hope International, as they shape laws to protect survivors, and work with all 50 states and DC on justice and restoration initiatives.

Did I see this coming? No, I just said “yes” and the rest was God’s job to fulfill His calling in my life. What events in your life seem to be creating a path to fight child sex trafficking?  Find out more how you can become activated by becoming a Weekend Warrior, a trained volunteer Ambassador of Hope, or be involved in advocating for better laws.

June 11, 2020 by Linda Smith

Faith and Justice

We have taken time to observe and ponder the events of the past several weeks.  It has been instructive to watch and listen to what is being said and done as individuals, groups and organizations absorb and react to, our nation’s current events. There are various opinions on roots of the turmoil–and causes and cures–but the theme we see replaying is that when you dehumanize people so you don’t see them, you can do anything to them.  This is, in fact, the essence of using children for sex, brutalizing another human being, destroying another person’s livelihood, and of racism.  We would do well to go back to the Bible’s two greatest commands—to love God and love our neighbor.  We neighbors are not loving each other very well right now.  Faith without works is dead, and the work (or action) in these times for those of us who claim the Christian faith is to work against the injustice of dehumanizing others.  There is certainly more than one way to do that.

In this conversation, Linda Smith founder of Shared Hope and Rev. Dr. Marian Hatcher have an unfiltered discussion about these very things.

May 18, 2020 by Guest

One Small Business Type We Should Let Die

Guest Author: Tomas Perez, Founder & CEO of The EPIK Project 

I’m a coffee snob. Living and working near Portland, Oregon it’s delightfully easy to become one. Sadly, many small businesses like local coffee shops are facing extinction in the face of COVID-19. Thankfully, communities across the country are acutely aware of the threat to their favorite local small business and are doing all they can to support them these days. And the federal government is doing its part by directing enormous amounts of money to the same end.  

 But there’s one small business in America we should let die during this pandemic. For far too long Illicit Massage Businesses or “IMB’s” have hidden in plain sight. These shady storefronts provide cover for trafficking networks and account for a growing segment of the commercial sex industry. These so-called small businesses are directly related to the exploitation of vulnerable women. They’re brick-and-mortar businesses that exist behind a thin veneer of legitimacy. They advertise therapeutic massage services, but often deliver coerced sex acts from disenfranchised, and often captive women to wealthy and powerful men who navigate this black market with impunity. The Polaris Project has identified over 9000 of these “small businesses” from coast to coast. They appear in all sorts of retail locations, generate millions in illicit profit and are often linked to trans-national organized crime. But they operate like most other small businesses, and therein lies a unique opportunity; they pay rent, incur business expenses like marketing, payroll, and transportation. They bank and have to manage employees. Shared Hope International has long held firm the position that any commercial sexual activity by minors is, by definition, domestic minor sex trafficking. Their work has resulted in significant changes in legislation to bring justice for the victims of sex trafficking, educational tools to help prevent trafficking, and working with domestic and international partners to bring restoration. Thoughtful, coordinated efforts to combat IMB exploitation is consistent with the standard set by Shared Hope.  

 Heyrick Research, a Virginia based firm recently noted that current market conditions have 

“…severely compromised the financial standing of illicit massage businesses (IMBs) across the country. Once considered a low-risk, highly profitable criminal enterprise, we assess nearly all IMBs will likely be approaching complete insolvency should the pandemic and near-zero buyer demand persist for five more months with many approaching insolvency much sooner.”

 Their assessment paints a bleak picture for an exploitative industry that’s thrived for far too long.  Even before COVID-19, communities like South Florida, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Dallas and others have been developing multiple policies and strategies that make it difficult for IMB’s to thrive.  

 The ugly reality of COVID-19 has provided concerned communities with an unlikely opportunity to eradicate this illicit business.  Clearly “non-essential” businesses, IMB’s have been forced to lock their doors while customers are sheltered in place. A few IMB’s have the liquidity to weather this temporary situation, but most operate on thinner margins and won’t have the resources to survive. While all this is in play, now is the time to educate yourself and your local leaders on IMB’s. Consider policies like coordinating with local law enforcement to inform landlords of possible illicit activities at IMB’s on their properties and requesting their assistance in terminating leases. Encourage political leaders to protect the massage industry (a legitimate health care business) by establishing health codes for businesses offering any kind of massage-related services. Or investigate requests for SBA/COVID-19 relief funding from IMB’s. Yes. Some IMB’s may be trying to get federal money to continue their exploitative businesses! Encourage your legislators to help ensure critical pandemic resources are directed to support the victims trapped in IMB’s, and not used to prop up these harmful businesses.  

IMB’s as a profitable exploitative business model is on the ropes. But the demand for commercial sex is a virus of its own; it adapts, shifts and spreads in unpredictable ways. While the demand that drives IMB’s has dried up, our work at EPIK and that of our partners at The Avery Center reveals that other forms of commercial sex continue to thrive. Online markets like webcamming and street prostitution continue to place vulnerable kids and young people in harm’s way. While there’s so much we can’t do right now to slow the overall spread of sex trafficking in America, perhaps we can use the unlikely momentum of COVID-19 to ensure that when our communities come back to life, IMB’s won’t.  

 

March 31, 2020 by Guest

Renting Lacy Reveals Reality: A Student’s Perspective

I was assignment to read ​Renting Lacy​ for a class on human trafficking at my university. Renting Lacy​ was a required book for the course. Though it was a quick read, it was notably substantive.

Renting Lacy is a fictional, yet reality-based story founded upon the biographies of the unfortunate lives that are involved in the child sex trafficking network in the United States.

The novel depicts a story of an underage girl and her co-workers who are trapped in a sex trafficking ring in Las Vegas. Lacy has been a victim of sex trafficking from a very young age and has been loyal to her trafficker, Bobby Bad, for many years now. She manages and cares for the other girls, Star, Sugar, Cherry, Brandi, and KiKi, who are stuck in her same situation. The book explains how Bobby grooms vulnerable girls by using love, affection, and gifts. Once they are hooked on him and the drugs he supplies, he detracts, leaving them wanting more. This is when he knows they will do anything for him, something even as dehumanizing as selling sex for money. Yet, they all feel a sense of loyalty and even fear towards him.

The mental torment, deceit, and violation the girls endure has left an immeasurable impact on me. Even more so, knowing that even though the book is a compilation of replicated accounts, these intertwining stories are consistent with the real life experiences of individuals manipulated into sex trafficking.

A unique aspect of ​Renting Lacy ​ is the comprehensive approach to defining, analyzing, and understanding the dynamics of a trafficking situation. Not only is the story told through the dialogue of traffickers and the targeted girls themselves, but of police officers, judges, family members, buyers, and sellers that are included as well. This is illuminating because there is so much value in the awareness of multiple perspectives in regards to the study of sex trafficking.

This book is raw, explicit and devastating, but it tells a strong story that is a solemn reminder of the vulnerabilities of our youth. It is a story that needed to be told to really grasp the interconnectedness and intersectional issues that are presented on this topic. The interwoven events of being trafficked and also being forced to engage in the victimization of others results in compounded trauma. For many of the girls in the book, the victim-offender intersections of their experiences makes the girls’ situation that much more complex. This leads them to be identified as criminal, rather than victim. Shared Hope released a report on this very issue in January that you can read here.

I am glad I got the opportunity to cross paths with ​Renting Lacy​ and take from it the knowledge and awareness of an issue that is happening all around us. It forced me to take a hard look at the world around me, instead of brushing off this topic as ‘someone else’s issue’. It is all of our problems and we are all part of the solution. This is an important book for future students to read, as well, because is motivates a discussion of the reality of sex trafficking. ​Renting Lacy is a humbling book that has the ability to spark initiative.

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