What Do You Really Know About Sex Trafficking?

When you graduate high school the first question EVERYONE asks you is, "What's next? College? Job? Marriage?" They are unavoidable questions until you are past college age. Because of this question, and my response, sex trafficking is a common subject amongst people I talk with.

My most recent encounter was with this older gentleman. I was getting up-to-date on all my mandatory shots because I'll be out of the country many times while in school. Because of this fact, which apparently was put into my "chart" at the doctor's office, the first question the older gentleman asked me while giving me my Hep A shot was, "What are you going to school for?"

My response was very robotic because I've been asked the same question a billion times. I simply said, "Social Justice. Such as sex trafficking, child soldiering, etc... mainly with the focus on childhood injustices." I figured that would be where the conversation ended. Honestly, I figured this man was just making small talk to make it less awkward between us. He just wanted to get the shots in my arm so he could be done for the day. I was fine with that though, I felt the exact same way!

To my surprise he kept on asking me questions. His next one, "Where are you planning on going?" This is the typical follow-up question once I've expressed what I'm going to school for. So, I wasn't shocked or blown away by this question, I just answered it as I always did when talking to other people, "Germany actually. That's my first planned spot, though I know plans can change. But I really want to move to Germany for a couple of years to work with sex trafficked girls." I was caught off guard when his jaw practically hit the floor at my response.

I just stared at him, awkwardly, because that's what I do. I really wasn't sure why he was so shocked. It was just Germany, not a super dangerous place or anything like that. Finally, after a long awkward pause, he managed to pick his jaw up off the ground and said, "Sex trafficking goes on in GERMANY?!?!?" Okay, now it's my turn to be shocked. I had to then pick up my jaw off the ground, but once I did I managed to calmly reply, "Yes, Sir. Sex trafficking happens everywhere. Even in this beautiful State we so happily call home." After this, all bets were off. I couldn't stop talking about sex trafficking with this guy. He asked questions and couldn't wait to hear about all the things I was planning on doing with my life and through my studies.

After I left, as happy as could be that I informed someone else of the statistics of sex trafficking, I couldn't help but stop and wonder why everyone was SO shocked about the stats I brought to their attention in regards to this subject. The most common response when I'm telling someone about sex trafficking is, "I didn't know it was THAT bad!" It shocks me every time I hear someone say those words. I then must remember that it's not a common "dinner table" conversation topic. People just simply need to be informed. It's really that plain and simple.

This led me to write this post. When you're faced with someone who doesn't know a thing about sex trafficking, but wants to be further informed, it's really nice to have some good stats under your belt so you can answer their questions accordingly and correctly. Here are some that are my favorites, because they inform people on how bad sex trafficking is, and tend to answer the many questions I've been asked in my past "sex trafficking information" conversations:

-There are approximately 27 million boys and girls that are currently victims of sex trafficking all over the world.
-1 in 5 pornographic photographs on the internet are of a child.
-Between 14,500 and 17,500 girls are trafficked into the U.S. Yearly. That's not including the girls that are trafficked within the U.S. itself.
-The average global cost to buy a sex trafficked girl/boy for a "trick" is $90.
-1.2 million people globally fall into sex trafficking, each year.
-The U.S. is a destination country for thousands of people trafficked from East Asia, Mexico, and Central America for sexual/labor exploitation.
-The U.S. is one of the top 3 countries of destination for sex tourism.
-The average victim involved in sex trafficking can be forced to have sex 20-48 times a day.
-More then 50% of sex trafficking victims are under the age of 18.
-In 2011, 94% of sex trafficking victims were females, 6% males. This is from a case study that the Department of Justice did of 389 cases of sex trafficking involving 460 victims.
-It's reported that in the past 30 years 30 million children have lost their childhood through sexual exploitation.
-There are girls as young as 6 and 6, in  the U.S., that are forced to do sexual acts for an economic gain, by pimps.

These are just a FEW facts. You can find many more on our twitter (AMAsexTfacts) or by searching the internet. But, I hope the next time you are faced with questions about sex trafficking these statistics help you to be confident in your answers and in the information you wish to share with those around you.

I also love to be informed on new stats that I don't know. So if you know more or you think we forgot any that should definitely be in this post, please comment, email, or somehow contact Nicole and I and we would love to add your new stats to this post to contribute to the information that others, including myself, might use to confidently inform someone on the subject of sex trafficking.

Sincerely,
Janice and Nicole

Your Answer: Yes or No

A fast heads up about this post. It has similar ideas to a post that was done when this blog first started. The post is called "Hookers Matter Too." If you have read it please keep that in mind and if you haven't read the post, after reading this one, go and check it out! Now, to start!

 Hello wonderful people! I hope that you are all doing good and that you are excited for the weekend. My week was very busy. Part of it is because of a research paper I am doing, yes it is about sex trafficking. But, part of my research has brought me to a question. This question is something I have thought about a lot in the past. And the question is really starting to pop up every where in my research.

Is prostitution a form of sex trafficking?

Now, what is your answer? Lately, as I have been really going into this question I have found that some people say yes, and some say no. I have not asked enough people to truly know the full, well rounded, average answer, but as I am sitting here typing, I think it would be awesome to go around and pull enough people to truly get the idea of what people say for their answer.

Anyway, this topic is something that Janice and I have talked on before and that we both believe is true. Prostitution is a form of sex trafficking.

Do you agree with our statement? Do you disagree with our statement? Or do you agree with our statement but you don't really know how it is a part of sex trafficking? Well, now, don't worry. Janice and I are going to shed some light on the situation and the next time you are asked this question you have more of an informed opinion.

By definition sex trafficking is, "the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by improper means (such as force, abduction, fraud, or coercion) for an improper purpose...Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to preform such act has not attained 18 years of age. The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery."

Now, in that definition there are several very important terms I would like to draw from. One being peonage, which by Webster's dictionary means, "the use of laborers bound by servitude." I may have slightly added this one in because I didn't know what it meant. And the next word I want to bring in is debt bondage, which in this case means the working of a person to repay a debt owed to another.

So, some of you may see where I am going with this and if you don't, keep reading anyway. You will find out soon enough.

Okay, so, here is what's up.  Prostitution is a hot topic, and here is part of the reason why. Many people believe that a prostitute is someone who chose openly and willingly to start with the sale of his or her body. And, in some cases this is true, I agree with that. But, here is where the definition of sex trafficking makes an appearance. Many girls who enter into prostitution cannot get out, once in. Too often they become the property of a pimp who would rather force her to continue to go out and make him or her money then to let her leave the age old business.

This is where the whole slavery, forced prostitution, peonage and debt bondage come in. The want of money because more of a, "I helped make you who you are in this and I want my money back. And you are going to get me that money." The fear of the pimp is put into the girls and they generally cannot leave.

Now, this is not always the case but it is the case more often then not. But, here is the next part of the issue. A lot of girls who are prostitutes, by definition, are forced from start to finish. And with that, that falls into the definition of sex trafficking.

I have a little analogy for you guys, one that I am pretty proud of, if I do say so myself.

We are going to view sex trafficking as the whole higher education system.

I go to a Christian University. But that is not the only type of universities there are. There are a lot. Then add the fact that there are Christian Colleges as well. Then there is your amazing high up Colleges and Schools, like Harvard, Yale and Oxford. You catch my drift. But don't forget about your normal run of the mill community colleges that will almost always accept any application (please know I am not bashing any form of higher education, I am trying to prove a point rather extravagantly).

Now, look at sex trafficking. We are going to consider prostitution as community colleges. Community colleges are still considered a form of higher education. Though it may not take a lot to get in, their price to attend is not extravagant and they are found almost everywhere. We still consider them a form of higher education.

This is how we also view prostitution as a form of sex trafficking. Though, there are a lot of views on the matter and the fact that there are so many different factors with prostitution, it is still a form of sex trafficking. You wouldn't say that community colleges weren't a higher education source because you cant live on its campus. So, why would you say that prostitution isn't sex trafficking because you are only forming the answer on personal opinion or because there are different factors that play into prostitution?

To stop sex trafficking we cant ignore part of the issue. It would be like trying to cure a person with brain and liver cancer but only attacking the cancer around the liver. The cancer on the brain would cause issues no matter what and not go away on its own.

Lets make sure to attack every form of this cancer called sex trafficking,

Nicole and Janice

Email: askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com
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Twitter: @AMASexTFacts
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Mission: Adventure

Picture this with me for a moment.

There was once these two girls who were always together. They were college roommates, friends given the nickname Twins, and they were never apart. These two girls were always together and one fall break they both went home together. After all, staying on campus would be too dull and adventure was a must have. The road trip home was full of loud music, laughter and caffeine. It was perfection.

Once home, the girls were able to eat food that was cooked in a wonderful kitchen, by a loving mother. The thought of nasty school food was no where in mind. The first few days went by with not too much going on. And the thought of adventure was creeping into the minds of the two girls.

One morning they woke up and they wondered into a store. This specific office supply store is known for having paper out for you to write with pens and sharpies, to test them out. The two girls decided that it was time. Time to go to work and stop the sex trade. So, writing in cool colored sharpies the girls got to work and started making people aware!

Here is the story of one of the Twins. So, be inspired and go and do something to get people aware of the sex trade! Take a picture of what you do and send it to us with a story at askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com. We would love to share about what you are doing to get people informed on the sex trade and what you are doing to stop the sex trade!

Now, with out any more pause and talk here is Twin with her story!

Hey guys!

So, I am here to share my story about how my roommate and I went into ninja combat last summer in Tokyo, Japan!

Oh wait, this is the office supply store story? Oh, that one is just as good.

I guess this all started when I found out about this blog. You see, this matter wasn't something foreign to me. I knew a little about sex trafficking and human trafficking. But, I never thought I could be someone who could spark a fire of passion in the life of someone else. Many people think because they have "no time," they cannot stop the injustice of a rapidly growing trade of human sex slaves. When, in fact, this is totally not the case.

If it's one thing that I've learned in my short score of years of living on earth, it's this; there is a time and place for everything. That means there is time! So, where am I going with this before I start my very short and seemingly insignificant story? That my very ordinary life can be extraordinarily powerful in any advancement of any giving pressing matter.

So, allow me to get off my soap box for a moment and share the story with you that I was supposed to share in the first place.

I believe it was a chilly Friday and my twin and I were around town running errands. She was looking for paper while I was playing with the computers (DUH, they are so much fun to mess with) and while I looked for her after a while I saw it. Those sharpie stations with all those pretty colors and stinky smells, were the perfect window of opportunity to share what I've been reading about on this blog from time to time. And, so, with a little help from my twin we scribbled and scribed our way into a blowout of epic proportions, like setting fire to gasoline on a car and walking away from an explosion. We left that station accomplished, knowing that every (and any) eye that can read, could read a fact and allow the spark to flicker into another mind. By doing this,

This passionate fire of awareness
Grows and grows
Until the whole world knows
By those who care.
And for those who care,
Receive and run.

I mean this by saying, that I mean for you to make the change you want to see in the world. Because, that is ALL it takes to make a difference.

 

Wasn't that a great post by Twin!

Thank you so much and we hope to be hearing from you again soon!

You heard it from here. Its no longer us just telling you.

Now, go out and do something about the sex trade,

Nicole and Janice

It's Personal

Hello! Long time! And not going to lie, it has been too long, Janice and I will try not to let it happen again! It was wonderful to reunite with my partner in changing the world. Though, it was not for long it was awesome! Now, she is out spending time with her family and I am left here with my roomie and best college bud, hittin up the home front. I cannot lie, I am enjoying my fall break.

 

I am currently sitting in this cute little coffee shop, writing this post. I showed up about 30 minutes early to a meeting so I could have some time on the blog. Boy, can I just say that it was needed! Anyway, I was having a really hard time coming up with a post to do over sex trafficking.

 

I look at my roommate and I start to complain, "I need a post on sex trafficking. Sex trafficking. I can't just do some random old blog post like everyone else. This blog isn't about that. It's about sex trafficking. It isn't personal! Sex trafficking isn't personal?!"

 

And just like that I put my boot wearing, size 9 1/2 foot right in my mouth... How could I be so blind?! So stupid!? So misguided!? Had I, since coming back to Colorado, been living under a mind washing rock?! The answer is no, but here is why I had such an adverse reaction to my, very misguided, question.

 

SEX TRAFFICKING IS PERSONAL!!!!

 

Yup, you heard me right. Sex trafficking is personal. So, here is the part where most would back away shaking your head, maybe even scratching it. If this is you, hold on! I realize what I am saying may seem a little...off kilter perhaps.

 

I know some of you are currently saying, "Nicole, what are you talking about?" Other ones may be totally on key and just cheering on the statement. But for those of you who are questioning what I have just stated, let me take a moment and enlighten you.

 

Let's just take a moment and look at the facts, shall we? For some, these facts may already be known, but in my experience, this is generally not the case. The U.S. is the 3rd top destination country for sex trafficking. Getting around 15,500-17,500 people yearly, that's about an average of 43 people trafficked into the U.S. on a daily bases.

 

Now, next fact, Sex trafficking has been reported in all 50 states and at some point in time, every country in the world.

 

Not totally convinced about sex trafficking being personal yet?

 

Did you know in the U.S. 12 is the average age for a girl to be trafficked into porn and prostitution. Yup, 12, horrid isn't it?

 

Did you know that sex trafficking includes girls, boy, women and men. Yup. You better believe it.

Whether it is something that is installed into our minds right off, or not, sex trafficking is personal. It affects the world we live in, if we are conscious of it or not. So, be aware. Don't be blinded by what you want to pay attention to rather then what you should be paying attention to.

 

Keep your eyes open, injustices are taking place everywhere and either you pay attention an know that the issues are personal or you ignore the issues and keep quite on issues you need to have a voice about.

 

Remember to spread the word,

 

Nicole and Janice

 

P.S. If you ever want to email us our email is askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you.
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Say What

Good day friends! We hope that you are having a good day and keep having good days to come! A little too cheesy? Not for me! Another busy week has come and gone and I get to see my partner in stopping the sex trade, Janice, for the first time since starting college! Needless to say we are both pumped!!!! Reunited so soon, and if feels so good!

For today I want to ask you all a question, actually more of a favor. But first, I need to tell you a story. Don't let the past few sentences make your mind wander and all together stop reading. We aren't asking for money, that is NOT what the favor is!

Now, for the story. To keep too much information from being shared, the guy I am talking about in this story, we will call him Henry.

As I have said before I am currently in college. Now in one of the classes that I have taken, it was time for us to do a research/argumentative paper. When the time came to decide the topic I knew at once what I wanted to do my paper on. I wanted to do it on sex trafficking! I was pumped!

After the class was done I was talking to my friend Henry and he told me that I should do my paper on child sex trafficking, because he had heard that there was such a thing as child trafficking.

 If my whole body language at that moment didn't change, I would be totally shocked. Not that his suggestion was a bad one it was just that he had not heard about sex trafficking until recently and that he didn't know much about the issue, so I was shocked. Yet another annoyance with sex trafficking being kept quiet.  After the initial shock was over, and I had picked my jaw up off the ground. We continued talking. Needless to say I did not do my paper on child sex trafficking, I did it on sex trafficking and the church, let me just say, wow! But that is a post for another day.

The key point to my story is Henry's suggestion on what my paper should be over. To me that is totally unacceptable! But before we all hunt down Henry and shout every known fact about child sex trafficking in his face, lets take a moment and think about this, shall we?

I was totally stunned about what Henry had suggested, but looking at it now, he is not totally to blame. The fact that he didn't know the extent of child sex trafficking gave me a huge array of feelings. The main one might have been punching a wall. But then I realized how many people are in the same, clueless boat Henry is in.

I feel like, and this may be somewhat wrong, after all,  I am in college and currently without a t.v. and a news station. But, it seems that when a huge news report comes on about sex trafficking, and they don't come on often, its all a huge shock to the public. But, then there is nothing after that. I mean it is normally about a bust after all, totally giving off the idea that sex trafficking is getting better.

No research is done after that and everything is just left at that. See if we were to look into it, we would see that yes there is some good happening with the sex trade, but there is a lot left to be done. It's an ever growing crime that expands every second of every day. So in reality, though something is being done which is good, it's only a slight dent in this HUGE organization. And having people like Henry, believe that there is child sex trafficking, because he has heard of it,  once.  Isn't a good thing.

So, here is my favor to ask of you guys. Start sharing what you know about sex trafficking with the people around you. No matter who it is. After all if you plant the seed, it may take time to grow, but at least you planted it. And from there it is their choice to do with what you told them however they want. But for them to do nothing, after finding out about the sex trade would be irresponsible. Plus there is always something to do, even if the first step really is just getting people aware! That's a great place to start!

So, this weekend while you are at the cash register checking out, talk to the clerk about sex trafficking, you may be informing the next big activist for a cause! You never know!

Be aware and get others aware,

Nicole and Janice

P.S. Have you put up stick any notes lately? Want to share an experience or even some facts? Maybe just a story of your life and how sex trafficking affected it in any way? Email us at askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com
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Me, Myself and I

Hello! First off as I start this post Janice and I would like to apologize for the decrease in posts this past week to about a week and a half. We have both been extremely busy. Janice with work and preparations for an awesome schooling experience that she will soon be embarking on! For me, I have been super busy with school and with work! Life is busy and yet so much fun! Janice and I always joke about how we can sleep when we are dead...though I am not sure that really will work, but hey! Jokes are fun when they don't hurt!...Right?

Well, off of that little tangent and on to the meat of the post, after all we aren't intending to be a cookies and milk blog. We ain't no bakers, we be butchers! Well, sort of...we are choppin up the sex trade! No more sex slaves! Freedom!

The other day I was in my Humanities class when my professor got on the topic of how my generation is known as the "I" generation. (mid to late teens and early twenties. So, Janice and I.) I started to really think about that for awhile.

Now, the last post that Janice and I did was regarding our generation as well. Don't get ahead of me right now, stuff will be said in this post that will pertain to everyone, so don't check out just yet. In the last post we talked about how our generation has had its voice taken away from it and we are not as able to be freely us. This all came from a guest speaker in chapel I attended.

Then in humanities, as I previously said, the professor started talking about my generation. I have heard other people call my generation the "I" generation. The way it was explained to me was, my generation is so centered on ourselves that we don't care about others.

This at first made me gasp and be like, "No! Have you ever met me?! This cannot be!" Then I realized not everyone is me, and my generation really is the "I" generation. I feel like, because, for so long we were kept from being "us" my generation totally rebelled. Now, not everyone has rebelled and turned in to the "what about me's," but you get my point. You don't have to agree with me on this matter but hang in there please.

Because of everything that has happened  my generation totally has a bad reputation. Sad but true. I went to the store once, and saw an elderly women trying to make her way to the car in the snow and offer to help her. My offer is totally refused with a look of some horror. But, as I walk a way a women in her 60's (approximately) walks up to her, helps her to her car and then makes her way back into the store.

My generation is feared. My generation is hippies. My generation is hipsters. My generation is composed of people who are shy and of people who act out so much, and only care for themselves.
And it seems like there is definitely a lack of faith in my generations, and in the younger generations. But then I have met my generation and I can see where this all comes from.

But now here is the thing, I want my generation to no longer be the "I" generation, but the "you" generation. I want my generation to be so passionate for others that it spills over into the other generations. Then as the domino affect starts and passions spread, change can happen, like the end of the sex trade!

Ding!! Don't worry, we are a blog about sex trafficking, I cant not mention it!

Granted, this is a HUGE dream, and some of you probably think I am a little crazy for it, but hey I am a dreamer. I dream that there will be an end to the sex trade, most people hear that and already think I am a little crazy. So, go really BIG or go home! Actually, don't go home, don't be thinking only of yourself, think of others. Cause you can make a change no matter who you are or where you are from.

Think of others don't just think of yourself.

You can be apart of the "you" generation,

Nicole and Janice

P.S. ever want to get in touch with us. Email us at askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com
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A No Nonsense Type of Thing

I can sit down every day and do a new post regarding sex trafficking. The information is there and ready to be found, generally, if you look hard enough. Well, at least the most shocking of facts always seem to be there. I could also sit and complain how different organizations aren't doing enough or what I think they should be doing, or they are doing what I think is an awesome job, but that is all opinionated blub.

 I could write till my fingers bleed and try and get you all to join the fight against sex trafficking. I could post 10 very sad, heart breaking facts, that make your insides twist. Then, I could post a few very tear worthy pictures of young prepubescent girls in brothels and then manipulate my words to make you feel horridly guilty for not joining the fight against sex trafficking. Which, then moves you to write out a small check to donate to the first sex trafficking organization you find under your first google search.

Does this sound familiar? To me it does. That, right there, sounds like the American culture that I live in. Organizations will mess with the publics feelings to twist out a few good checks from the richer public crowd, only to let them continue on with their life till the next sad puppy dog commercial comes on. Don't get me wrong t gets what needs to be done, done; but does it change people? Like truly change them?

Please, let me make it very clear. I am not bashing organizations. Everyone has a passion, and yes, for certain people its not letting beaten and abused animals die in a shelter. That is perfectly okay! It is just, as I sat down to type out this blog post I had no idea what I was going to say, and to be perfectly honest, I am still not sure what I am going to say, but I know something will come.

Lately, I think a lot of our posts seem to bash a lot of things. First, we did a post called Men, then we did a post called Young Girls Do It Too and then lastly we did a post entitled Use Your Voice. Man, did we get around a lot on that note, men, women and the church. I think we must have made some kind of record! But, here is the thing, in today's society it is all too easy to put the blame on someone else, rather then take ownership for the things that we do and that we allow to happen. By not standing up and fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves, we pass the blame on to others where we ourselves are to blame.

(Okay so this post may turn out a little more on the bashing, blaming side. Lets see where I am taking this, shall we)

Think about it. The dog commercials? The feed the children commercials? I will be totally honest as I say this. I do not watch television. And when I do it is rare and in between. I live in a dorm with no t.v. and at home I live in a house, where my mother doesn't have cable. But, do you want to know something? When those commercials for the save the something or other come on, I feel bad, and switch the channel.

I mean I don't, currently, have the money to donate, I am just happy to be in college. And I live in a dorm where I cannot have pets and my mom already has a dog and doesn't want another. So, I just keep going. Passing over the issue, thinking that someone else will take care of the sad faced puppies, the victims of homelessness and the needy children.

I am sorry if this makes me a bad person. But here is my question. Have you ever done the same thing that I am admitting to you? Or do you leave the commercial on to hear the soft, sad music that draws a few tears? If you do this, awesome! But then do you pick up the phone right away and donate to the cause? Or rush down to the nearest shelter to add two new animals to your collection of house hold pets? We cannot all do this but there is always something we can do.

Now, currently, I am not sure that my point is coming off clearly, so let me keep trying. I have noticed that people are all too willing to not let the negative bother them. YOLO!!! (you only live once) With this they think someone else will take up there lack of what is needed and it will make up for everything. People want life to be comfortable, God forbid we feel bad and uncomfortable. Well, what if everyone would think this way? That would leave a lot of slack, for the few people doing stuff, to pick up and take care of. And that my friends can get tiring.

Now, I am not saying that we all have to go out and donate to every single organization out there. Being broke is not the goal here, but helping out is.

Did you know that there is actually a lot of stuff that you can do to help fight the sex trade that really only demands a little time? Volunteering with organizations! Writing letters to your congressmen and representatives! Every sign a petition?! What about just looking up the facts and sharing the information you learn with the people around you!?

It is simple and easy stuff that everyone can do! And I mean it! Now, to get you started here are some facts to know and keep handy:

1.    Sex trafficking is the 3rd largest criminal industry in the world.
2. 12 is the average age for a girl in the U.S. to be trafficked into porn and prostitution.
3. 25% of child sex tourists around the world come from the U.S.
4. The United States is the 3rd destination country for trafficking in the world, with 15,500-17,500 trafficked in yearly, that is an active American football team every day.
5.  In 2011 94% of victims were females and 6% are males, while the number of males continues to grow.  
6. More then 50% of victims of sex trafficking are under the age of 18.

Those are just a few facts to help you get started. Now, take some time and do your own research. Look up facts and different organizations. Information and being aware is key.

Just a no nonsense post,

Nicole and Janice

P.S. Every want to email or get in contact with us? Feel free to email us at askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com We want to hear from you!! 

3...2...1...ACTION

I love movies as much as the next girl. I mean, I get to curl up in a ball with my favorite pink comforter, wearing my yoga pants and t-shirt, while cuddling my teddy bear, Surg, who I  have had ever since I had my appendix out. My favorite is when I get to do one of these movie moments with my friends!

During the summer I was able to watch a movie with Janice and we watched some movies on a popular, legal movie cite. Of course all the movies we watched had to do with sex trafficking. It is who we are, it is what we do. Anyway, this movie was one of the best sex trafficking movies I had ever seen. Like, it was really good. Anyway, time ran out and we were unable to finish the movie.

Now, that I am currently in college, I have more friends who I am always talking about sex trafficking with.  It truly is a good thing, and I cannot lie, I am grateful for all my friends putting up with me!  I am truly blessed. However, with always talking about sex trafficking I had mentioned the movie, that I watched with Janice, to them on multiple occasions.

This week we sat down and watched the movie in full, and I was able to finish it. Boy was it good. Sad, but good. I don't want to explain it and if you want to watch it, it is called "The Whistleblower." It is really a movie that should be watched.

There is something that is said in the movie though that is so true. "It spreads like cancer."

This quote is regarding human trafficking. And it couldn't be more true. Think about it. Like, really take a few seconds and think about it.  Sex trafficking is like cancer...

Sex trafficking is like cancer.

Is that hitting you as hard as it hit me? When I heard this part of the movie for the second time, it was like a punch to the stomach. I actually got up and left the room for a few minutes, repeating that over and over. I don't know what it is about that statement but it really was like I just got hit by a train. Though, that statement is a bit of an exaggeration, it gets my point across.

Here's the thing, sex trafficking is like cancer; and when a person has cancer there is always a fight against the cancer that takes place. For instance, surgery and chemotherapy are generally things that need to be done and is done so that the person with cancer can survive.

So, if sex trafficking is like a cancer, we need to start fighting against it like it is. We need to fight against it aggressively. Plain and simple. We need to stop being our old couch-potato-selves and get to work.

When I say this, I am even talking to myself. I like watching movies with my friends, but what if I gave up one movie a week to actively start fighting the sex trade even more then I am now? What if you did the same? What if we all did this? How many hours would we as people, around the world, be giving to those truly in need? Think of how many hours would go to such a great cause if we were to do this. I don't know about you all, but I know that I am going to start doing this.

Even if it is just volunteering my time or writing letters to my congress men, there is a lot that can be done; and I am not going to sit around on my butt while girls are being raped by men and blunt objects, being drugged and forced to do things that they do not want to do. I am not going to sit around as more and more young boys are being trafficked to fulfill the "needs" of dirty filthy men. I just cant sit around as the bodies of other humans are being defiled by people who have no business doing what they are doing. I just cant. And I hope, I pray that you can't either.

I am going to do some research on what I can do to help stop sex trafficking in my area. Why don't you do the same? Because, do you want to know a secret? You can make a difference. You!!! You. Is that not wonderful?!

Now, get up, get your war paint on and lets kick this cancer in the butt,

Nicole and Janice

P.S. If you ever need to get in touch with us, share a story, share your passion to fight an injustice feel free to comment or email us! We would love to share your passion! askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com

Use Your Voice

I go to a private college. It's a statement, a fact, about me. It's part of who I am and what makes me, me. Now, this post has to do with a chapel that I recently attended. Before you zone out and think I am going to go off on a theology tangent, decide, and make up your mind, to pay attention to the post. I have something to say, and unlike most of the people in my generation, I am going to use my voice to speak up.

The pastor who came and talked at Chapel was a preacher from the Philippines. I cannot recall his name at this current point in time, but what he talked about was awesome. This pastor talked about my generation and how we have pretty much been silenced by the older generations. For example, the Jesus Movement.

 The Jesus movement was really big in North America and Europe in the 60's and 70's. The movement was awesome and a lot of people came to Christ through it. But there was something that the pastor mentioned, with this movement, there really wasn't a come as you are mentality. The bible says in  James 2:1-4, "My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in after him, and you say to the man in the suit, 'Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!' and either ignore the street person or say, 'Better sit here in the back row,' haven't you segregated God's children and proved that you are judges who cant be trusted?" In the NIV version of the bible it says that you have become, "judges with evil thoughts."

Have you ever looked at the church? They want you to cut your hair, guys, so that it isn't long and shaggy. They look at you weird when you have "too many" piercings or tattoos. The church wants to catch a fish that is already gutted and cleaned, but that is not how fishing works. Please note that I am not saying this is true about every church, because it isn't.

I recently went to a church with a friend, it was right after I returned from India. I had ankle bracelets on both ankles, just gotten my nose pierced (one of many piercings I have), I had henna all over my wrists, hands and arms. And on top of that my outfit was not necessarily what you would call a "church outfit." I was wearing bright purple jeggings, a shorter then I ever should have worn baby doll dress that didn't even cover my full bottom, and was a little low on the cleavage section and a little black jacket over it, that I left open.  My exact words as I walked in with my friend was, "they are going to think I am a heathen." I even got mean mugged as I coughed at one point.

Here is what I am saying, the church is supposed to show love, what ever happened to loving the person and hating the sin? What happened to the church accepting the person, not the sin. The church is supposed to be a hospital for the broken, not a museum for the perfect. With the mentality of having to be perfect for church the church has single handedly taken the voice away for the younger generations.

Being original may, in fact, be what causes a movement to start. I stand out and I know it. I have a voice and I know it. But, what about all the others who have been told to fit in for so long and told to be quiet for so long that they forgot they had a voice? I am sure that this has been going on for more then just my generation, but shouldn't it be time that we started telling people that they had a voice and that they should use it?

Look at it this way. If I were to stand on a street corner for a whole day and talk to anyone who walked by about sex trafficking, what do you think would happen? I am sure at least a few people may get a little intrigued and maybe even looked into the matter further. My point? I would have used my voice. One, that I have had my whole life.

I have a voice that I can use to raise awareness of the injustices in this world. You have one too. Are you using your voice? If you aren't, you should. We have been silenced by a mentality for way too long. It is time to speak up! Use your voice! Don't every think someone can take away your voice, because as long as you have your vocal cords and sound coming out of your mouth, you can use your voice to make a change. So, why not do it?

We will be using our voices to disrupt the sex trade.

Never forget you have a voice,

Nicole and Janice

P.S. Comments, questions, ideas, thoughts, share your story? Email us at askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com

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Stranger Danger

I'm a Nanny. Which means my job is to watch children. I take the little kiddos I watch to the park and let them work off some energy. They have fun running around and I get the joy of some time out in the sun and watching all the kids play together. And if other mom's or nannies show up it's nice social interaction. I love my job and I completely adore the children I watch. I honestly don't know how you can love a child more then I love them. When I have kids, If it is possible to love them more as I'm told it is, I might just be the most protective, caring, loving, child spoiling mother of all time.

This begs the question then, why do a post on sex trafficking from a nannies point of view? Well, the people who come to the park without children are what this post is mainly about.

I had taken the boy I nanny to the park one day as we so often do. It was a nice day and he and I were both enjoying ourselves. Going up and down the slide over and over. One thing that I have learned from being a nanny is that I must always pay attention to the people who are around. It's not just about me anymore. It's about this child too. His life is in my hands. On this particular day at the park, I noticed an older man just hanging out in a car, looking at the children. He was parked behind the bathrooms and a big tree. The only way he was visible was from the very edge of the park where the swings are located. Mine and the kid I nannies first stop.

Instantly, red flags started going up. Especially since it was just the child I nanny and I at the park for a while. Hopefully this is the case for everyone watching over a child. When people who are very out of place in an environment for children, it is better to be "too safe". Now, yes this is technically profiling but it's important to be safe rather then sorry. I'm not betting the child's life on it, so I'm ok with being known as a "profiler". But a lot of times a recruiter for trafficking can be someone who blends into the surroundings perfectly.

My point is, people who are in charge of children need to be careful. Start keeping your eyes open and be aware of your surroundings. There is no way to truly estimate how many young children who are kidnapped while in their parents or guardians presence are trafficked.  But I can't help but wonder how many "recruiters" scope out children at a simple, fun place like the park. The very place I take the child I nanny all the time.

So parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, nannies, baby-sitters, legal guardians, watch out for your child. Don't stand there and text while your child plays (which I've seen all too much), and maybe ignore a call from someone if needed. If anything is going to distract you from watching the child you're in charge of and possibly put them in danger. It can wait.

Just a thought from an over protective nanny,

Janice and Nicole

Wally World

Hello and good day to you wonderful friends! I hope that you are all having an amazing day. Today I just want to get a little personal on my end. Don't worry, it does involve sex trafficking, so don't zone out just yet.

Here is the thing. I am currently not in the beautiful state of Colorado. I am actually in a very flat state in college. And yes, I can say whole heartedly I miss my mountains, family, and friends! You don't live in a place like Colorado and not miss it.

Anyway! Right by my school is a very conventionally placed Wal-Mart. Behind that, there are the crack apartments and then it leads to the North part of town; if you go there, make sure you have a group of guys you know and maybe some pepper spray. Anyway, on the other side of my school's campus there are some really nice houses and the neighborhoods that get nicer and nicer the further you go. I take this way to get to work, and even though I dislike the town I live in, I definitely would not mind living in one of those houses.

Now, this Wal-Mart right next to me is known for something. What is it you ask? Well, sex trafficking, and hold-ups at gun point, but that is not the point that I want to currently talk about. I want to talk about sex trafficking.

Here at my college there are two "rules" that are not really rules but they are taken very seriously. The two rules are to never be on a bridge late at night. And never go to Wal-Mart at night. Simple enough right? Wrong. Within the first week of school I managed to break both rules. Don't worry though, I have not been on a bridge since the first time I broke that "rule." But I cannot lie, I do go to Wal-Mart at night every once in awhile.

Anyway, one night I was at Wal-Mart with two friends. One was walking slow so she witnessed me and my other friend get followed by two very bad "stalkers." We laugh about it now and how the Wal-Mart turns into a Halloween Wonderland at night. But that is not the worst experience I have had at Wal-Mart.

If you are getting tired of reading, hold on, it is about to get really interesting.

I have this roommate here at college. She is awesome and like the bestest ever! Last year we would go to Wal-Mart every Saturday, along with some other girls at the time neither of us had a car. Anyway,  we had all gone to Wal-Mart this particular Saturday afternoon, and we had ran into a friend who use to live on our floor. We were all talking to her till my roommate and I walked off so that we could do a little fast shopping on the opposite side of the store.

Not long after separating we notice that there is a group of about 7 guys following us. Sometimes they would separate and then they would come back together. My roommate and I weaved in and out, we went to weird parts of the store. These guys were on us. Quickly we started making our way back to our large group, where two of the men started looking at the flowers we were all gathered around and then left.

After that they didn't bother us anymore, in fact we didn't see them anymore. It may have been the fact that Mama (the girl who use to live on my floor) was making very load statements to make sure that her daughters (me and my roommate) were safe. She is my Mama away from home and she is the safe haven I run to when anything goes wrong.

Here is the thing. Everyone said beware of Wal-Mart at night! Guys follow you and sex trafficking is something that happens there and there are some strange and pretty creepy people there. I have never had an issue with Wal-Mart at night. But during the day, that is when I have issues there. There are other things that have happen there to me as well, and it happened during the day.

What is my point with this? Sex trafficking doesn't wait for night time to roll around. It happens at every hour of every say. And the people involved are not always the "creepers" we would like to picture them as. You know the ones I mean, with yellow rotting teeth, the huge balding spot and receding hairline with the wrinkled face and large warts all over, and lets not forget the scratchy high pitched voice. Pretty much your typical horror movie creepy old guy. 

But this isn't always the case. More often then not the typical male recruiter for sex trafficking is good looking, someone who you wouldn't be thinking would be involved in the sex trade. So, remember that. The guys following my roommate and me around definitely did not fit the "creeper" title. Rather they were guys that were attractive and other any other circumstance I would maybe even go out with.

Do you get my point? If not there were two and I will say them again for you. One: sex trafficking happens at all hours of the day, just because you are sleeping, doesn't mean the sex trade was put on pause.  Two: recruiters of sex trafficking don't always fit the "creeper" profile that we put them in.

Just some stuff for you all to think on.

And on one last very important note. In the bathrooms of this Wal-Mart there are little stickers that are everywhere. They say that you think there is someone being trafficked to call the National Trafficking Number which is 1-888-373-7888.

So, now take a moment and put that number in your phone. And if you ever think you are witnessing or suspect someone being trafficked call the number right away.

You can always do more then you think you can,

Nicole and Janice

P.S. We now have an instagram so go follow us at @whatdoyouknowaboutsex. And we have a twitter so go follow us there as well @AMASeexTFaxts. And then like us on facebook at What Do You Know About Sex Trafficking. And then lastly if you would ever like to email us for any reason our email is askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com

Love

Hello and happy September 10th to all you wonderful readers! I hope that you are all having a great day and that it is going smoothly.

For those of you who do not know about it, today is the day that we write love on our arms. This is to take a stand on something that has been occurring more and more over the years. It is cutting and self harm. Janice and I have talked about how we need to stand up against the injustices that are taking place.  We do not want to be blinded by the things that are currently going on around us.

Some people, like Janice and I, feel strongly about sex trafficking, but then there are others who feel about self harm in the way that Janice and I feel about sex trafficking. It is the passion behind the issue.  There are so many things that are going on in the world that need to be addressed. So today, to the people who are fighting to bring awareness to self harm, WAY TO GO! It is awesome what you are doing.

Normally, Janice and I only do posts on sex trafficking, but on a day like today, we wanted to take a moment to raise awareness on an issue that is happening more and more and that effects both males and females, young and old.

So, even though your passion may not be self harm or sex trafficking, it is always smart to be in the know about what is going on. Maybe your passion is fighting against abortion or eating disorders,  what ever it is, it's always good to know about the other injustices.   

So, take a moment and learn about something new. Something that needs to be brought forth, out of the shadows, so people know they aren't alone. That there are people out there in the world
who are fighting for them.

So, I am going to sign off now and am going to write love on my wrist. Why don't you join me and do the same?

Here to support others,

Nicole and Janice

P.S. What is your main passion in life? Some injustice you want to see stopped? Let Janice and I know! We want to support you and share your passion! Email us at askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com and while you are at it like our Facebook page What Do You Know About Sex Trafficking!

The Lady With Her Eyes Covered

This past week I was at my Doctor getting a normal check up. When I walked in I found out that the lady who scheduled my appointment didn't do it right so there was apparently no such appointment in the system. After much deliberation they finally fixed the issue, but I ended up having to wait an extra hour to see the doctor.

As I'm sitting there, watching the same health warnings over and over again on the screen, this lady with her face covered comes in. I'm thinking to myself how annoyed I am to be waiting there an extra 40 minutes, thus far, due to something that wasn't my fault. I even had the confirmation card to say I made an appointment. This totally wasn't my doing. Basically I'm basking angrily in the fact I'm, healthily, sitting there waiting on the doctor.

But to get back to my point, it's about the lady. I never caught her name. She never thought to give it. I never thought to ask. So she's forever known in my memories as "the lady."Anyway, she walks in, face covered with a wash clothe, and she has DARK sunglasses on. She was creeping the people around me out, but I was intrigued. I wanted to know about this lady. Found out, from overhearing her talking with the receptionist, that she had a MASSIVE migraine. Her meds were on back order until October 10th. She's in severe pain and has no choice but to come to her doctor in hopes of getting an appointment for that day, eventually. Yet, I'm painlessly sitting there, mad at the receptionist for getting my appointment wrong. Vanity of vanities much?

I was sitting with my back to the only window on that floor. I offer the lady my seat so she doesn't have to look directly into the light. She kindly takes my offer and we start a conversation. She tells me her son, who is 18, dropped her off because she couldn't drive. She has two son's. The oldest one has a son of his own. He's 16 months old. I'm a nanny so of course this strikes up a good conversation.

 She asks me why I'm there. I tell her my whole story of getting a physical. Which then leads to our lives. She tells me she's worked with disabled people in her community for years. I tell her I want to see the sex trade stopped and I'm going to fight to make it happen. I tell her all about this blog, all about my plans, all about the sex trafficking industry. She's shocked, horrified, and marveled by the facts.

Understanding it was a active organization, but not understanding it was happening all around her in the very state she calls home. I educate her with the thought in mind that she could save her grandson from becoming a victim. Or simple spread the word and educate someone she knows.

Shortly after discussing sex trafficking I get called back. She's still waiting there, in pain. I'm not even in this slightest bit of pain. The nurse thought she was my mother because we were just chatting away as if we weren't strangers, but friends. Technically I guess we are friends, everyone starts out as a stranger first.

The nurse takes me to the room where I wait for another 40 minutes for the doctor. All the while all I can think about is this woman. A woman who is in terrible pain yet laughed, joked, encouraged, and talked with me as if everything was normal. It was such a short meeting, but a very memorable one.

If I had gone in at 9:20, like I was supposed to, I would've never met this lady. Never educated her on sex trafficking, and never been influenced by her kindness and patients.

My main point you ask? Sometimes things don't go as we plan. Maybe they never do. But use the moments you are given to change someones life. Take seemingly bad moments and turn them in to life changing moments, if not for yourself then for someone else. Educate them on what you're passionate about and recruit someone new to stop the injustice you are fighting against. It's going to take us all working together to see this industry die. But we can do it!

Don't be afraid to talk with a stranger. They're just people who can become your future friends. We all love friends!

Sincerely someone who had a life changing moment,

Janice and Nicole

P.S. Have you been doing your sticky notes? Have you been educating those around you about the injustice of sex trafficking? Tell us all about it! We want to hear your stories. Email us at: askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com

It All Goes Together

Have you ever been in a group project for a class? I have many times and here is what always seems to happen. First off, there is always the person who does all the work. They bring cookies and drinks to all the meetings and on top of that do all the research for everyone in the group. Then when the meetings are done this person runs home to secretly cry on their pillow from pure exhaustion. Then there is the person who wants to help with the project. They are ready and willing, but person one makes it impossible for the shared help. Then there is the third person, the person doesn't want to do any work and does not do any work. And they feel just fine about this. I have had this happen many times and even in college I find that people are still this way.

Now, there is a point to my story and it does have to do with sex trafficking. To end sex trafficking a group effort is needed. Just like in a school project, only with this assignment everyone really does need to work together. But, see here is the thing, it is rather surprising how many people don't want to work together. They would rather do nothing, fight with each other on the right way to end the sex trade or just try and stop the sex trade all by themselves. Then these people get burnt out before they ever get a chance to do some positive damage.

But want to know something awesome about this positive "homework assignment"?  No matter what you do, you ARE helping! It doesn't matter how big or small you think what your doing is. Everything adds up. So really, you are doing a big thing! Plus, being informed on the matter and not being ignorant of a very important issue is also key.

So, the next time you are thinking, "dude! I wish I could do more!" Remember this, everything adds up and if you take the time to do your research you can make the educated choice on what to do next.
If you decided to close your eyes and go to sleep, ignoring the issue and think someone else will do your job. Here's the thing though, you're the only one you can control. You can't guarantee that anyone else will help stop sex trafficking. You can't even guarantee that Janice and I will always fight against sex trafficking (though we can guarantee we will). But you have the control to guarantee YOU will do something to see the sex trade stopped. If you don't step up to do something then what is making others decide to be positive students and help out on this "project"?

So, step up and be good students! Never forget that what you are doing is important and no one can do what you can do! No matter how small it is. You are a unique part to a puzzle that is fighting to end the sex trade. Now, get working and be the A+ students I know you all can be.

Keep studying,

Nicole and Janice

P.S. Have you been doing something to stop the sex trade? No matter how small it is, Janice and I want to share it with others! Email us your stories at askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com! Plus if you have been sticky noting let us know! We want to share your passion! If you don't know what that is check out our first blog post Lets Explain Our Mission! It is totally worth your time.

Young Girls Do It Too

The smartest thing we ever did was to take a readers advice and sign up for the FBI emails. They're packed full of information regarding sex trafficking. My only issue is that you have to be subscribed to get the information. I feel it should be on the local news more, and all over the Internet. Not something you have to hear about from someone else, or really search for to get the information.

That's beside the point though, because, this is yet another post about an article we recently received from them. It's about a girl, who we'll call, Pam (not her real name). She was recently sentenced to 18 years in prison for conspiracy of sexually trafficking under age girls. Though they have officially put the ruling as a "conspiracy" there are girls, under the age of 18, that supported the accusations against Pam.

There are plenty of terrible things you can read on this trial. Like, the fact Pam was the head of a gang in Tennessee, that trafficked girls to get extra cash. They trafficked girls in Tennessee and in New Orleans. She, of course, kept all the money the girls made from selling themselves. If the girls refused to "work" she would threaten them and use force to get them to continue working. One witness even claimed to have seen Pam drag a girl by her hair while beating her.

That's not even the worst part. It's not the thing that hurt our heart the most. The thing that tore us up was the fact that Pam is a 20 year old girl. She's the same age as Nicole and I. She's selling girls for sex. She's beating them and forcing them to lose all respect for themselves. She's making these young girls feel worthless. She's stolen all their security. She has stolen their innocence. That's going to be the hardest thing to gain back. SHE'S ONLY 20!

We could NEVER think of doing to someone what she did to these girls. Not now, not when we're 90! But the fact that a 20 year old girl could take the freedom of so many girls and lose 18 years of her life is sad to me. She took a risk to make some money. Greed controlled her so much that she was willing to lose her "golden" years to make some easy money. Not caring that she was hurting so many innocent people in the process.

This generation saddens me. Why do we feel so empty that we seek all the wrong things to fill that emptiness? We try to fill it with money, sex, drugs, drinking, etc..... Obviously this generation needs something more. Pam wouldn't have been willing to risk 18 years of her life to fill that "void" if she didn't know there was something missing. She just thought it was power and money. She was wrong. She's just as empty in her jail cell as she was out in the world. Worldly things can't fill her void, obviously. They just landed her in jail. And in the end how did that help her?

We already did a post about the men who buy and sell girls and boys for sex trafficking and how they're held captive by things too. It was controversial to say the least. Now, here's a post on a girl who's being held captive by something.

Here's the thing. Nicole and I are Christians. Our beliefs are this: We have a deep relationship with Jesus Christ. He is Lord of our lives, and lover of our soul. We believe the Bible from the first word in Genesis to the last word in Revelation. We don't take away from the Word and we don't add to it, as the book of Revelation says not to. We're not here to preach to you, or to push our beliefes on you. But, we are here, rather, to inform you on sex trafficking. But, every now and then our faith will come up, and our views might be different then yours because they're based upon our faith.

This is one of those views. So let us explain ourselves please. The Bible says in

John 8:34-36
Jesus said, "I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through." (MSG)

We believe this scripture whole heartily. Therefore we believe that unless you have been set free from sin, by Jesus Christ, you are a slave to something. Just like we all were slave to something at some point in our lives. By seeing people, such as the people who buy and sell boys and girls for prostitution, set free from their bondages there can be a complete stop to sex trafficking as a whole. I believe that this case shows that. Pam was a slave to greed and power so she was willing to risk it all and to degrade other human beings to become "free" and feel the emptiness in her life. I'm glad she's behind bars so she can't take others down with her in her search to fill her void. But, I pray she finds the only true freedom maker, Jesus. If she had found Him in the beginning she wouldn't have felt the need to traffic young girls.

Please, don't take this the wrong way. We understand that EVERYONE is needed in this fight. No matter the belief difference, the ethnic background difference, the gender, age, or race difference. We want everyone to feel that they can voice their opinion, and we hope you see the bigger picture, which is to see sex trafficking STOPPED COMPLETELY, and not just the difference in beliefs or opinions that this post might have. No matter our differences we want to fight this fight with YOU if you're willing to partner with us. We are more then willing to partner with you. Let's work together. Let's see sex trafficking stopped completely!

Just two people desiring to change the WHOLE world,

Janice & Nicole

P.S. Are there any suggestions you have on how to find more information about sex trafficking? The FBI suggestion came from a reader. We'd love to hear your suggestions too!!!

Email us at: askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com or comment on the post. We want to hear what YOU have to say. :)

And It Happens Again

Good morning you wonderful lovelies! I hope that you are all doing well and that you are enjoying your day. I know for me that today is going by really fast and I cannot believe it is almost the weekend!

On that note lets get to more important matters. As most of you know, Janice and I say it so often, but sex trafficking is a local issue as well as a world wide issue. It is so shocking to me that so many people do not realize that trafficking is happening in their own back yard! Granted that is just a figure of speech, but you get what I mean.

Recently Janice did a great post called, A Slap in the Face. She talked about a sex trafficking case that was taking place in the state where she was from. Today, I am doing a post on a trafficking case that touches a state that we are both connected to. Colorado.

The beautiful sunny state. The state I fight tooth and nail for, for being the most beautiful state in the U.S. Though, my opinion may be somewhat bias. But, today, I am disheartened to say the least. So, with out further blabber I will tell you about the case that hits close to home, literally.

The man on trial is a man of the age 45. He is guilty of, "advertising child pornography, receipt of child pornography, two accounts distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography." Bob, the name of the man as we will call him, will officially be sentenced on November 14 of this year. They way Bob worked was through an online circle of friends, trading, exchanging, advertising and distributing to anyone who was a member.

In the end it was found that he possessed over 200,000 pornographic images of children on several hard drives. Part of the goal of his online group was to encourage new videos of child pornography. And through the arrest of Bob, 2 young girls, both younger then 12, were able to be rescued from the people holding them captive.

Bob faces a minimum of 15 mandatory years in prison. All together, for crimes like his 15 years is the minimum years anyone can face and 30 is the maximum years and along with the years in prison people who commit these crimes face a fine of $250,000.

This court case was brought forth because of Project Safe Childhood which was started in 2006.

It is important to remember that pornography is a form of sex trafficking. Especially, child pornography.

Remember the fight against sex trafficking starts in your own back yard,

Nicole and Janice

P.S. Are you doing something to fight against sex trafficking? Email us at askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com  We would love to share your story!! Also like us on facebook: What Do You Know About Sex Trafficking. Follow us on twitter @AMASexTFacts

Want to read the article on the Denver man?

"Denver Man Convicted of Advertising Child Pornography and Other Child Pornography Related Charges." FBI. FBI, 27 Aug. 2013. Web. 04 Sept. 2013.

We Got Hip With It

Hello our beautiful readers! I hope that you are having a great day! I know I am, though, it is a bit hot out here where I am. On that note today's post will be short and sweet but don't check out yet!

So, here is an update! Janice and I got a Facebook page up. Finally! Now here is what is up, we want you to like our Facebook page. You can find our page under: What Do You Know About Sex Trafficking.

It is an awesome page in the making and definitely something you do not want to miss out on! So, go like it on Facebook! And while you are at it go find us on Twitter at @AMASexTFacts.

Also, one last thing is we  are looking into a few other social cites and things like that. So, keep checking back for new updates! We do have some awesome stuff coming up and some important post that will be coming up very soon!

So, go right now and like us on Facebook!

Then check out our first post, "Let's Explain Our Mission" and see what we are about!

Thank you so much,

Nicole and Janice

And feel free to email us at anytime at askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com

A Slap In The Face

Recently we've received tons of emails from the FBI about people being convicted of sex trafficking throughout the US. What stuck out most for me was a man being found guilty with sex trafficking in Charlotte, NC. Being from NC, originally, it was a slap in the face! To think, when I lived there this business could've been thriving and now it's only growing bigger.

It's reported that the man who we'll call Philip (Not his real name). met the minor (who is never named) online. Shortly after they met the man, being charged, and the minor started texting each other. Philip and his girlfriend then arranged to picked up the minor in front of her school. They then went to a motel in Charlotte where Philip took inappropriate photographs of the minor and posted them on a inappropriate website as a advertisement to have sex with the minor.

Of course they had immediate response to the ad and Philip took the minor to engage in sex acts with two men. The only way she was found, according to the report, is because she was abandoned by the couple that took her because they were scared they'd get caught. Immediately after dumping her like trash, she called 911 and eventually the police caught the guy who was trafficking her.

The terrible thing is that though we have clearly stated, from day one, that this happens everywhere...even down the street from you...people don't seem to believe us. But everytime I get online to look through our email I find emails like this from all over the US. There have been, since we signed up, about 15 emails that have to do with sex trafficking and we haven't been subscribed long. The problem is, no one hears about these things unless they subscribe to the FBI, and who typically thinks of doing that? I would highly advise you all to sign up for them too, so that you might be able to read up on this injustice our whole blog is dedicated to fight against.

I wanted to add a couple of quotes from various people who were involved in this case. This is what they have to say on the matter of sex trafficking. People who have seen it first hand and dealt with the people on both ends. The victims, and the monster.

“Gray-Sommerville preyed upon a vulnerable young girl and exploited her in the worst possible way. Sex trafficking is a reprehensible crime that dehumanizes victims and strips them of their dignity. My office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify and prosecute sex traffickers who profit from prostituting minors.”- U.S. Attorney Smith

“The defendant lured a young girl away from her family with promises of money but instead sold her as a sex slave. It is inconceivable that someone would sexually exploit a child for financial gain, but it does happen, and the FBI will aggressively pursue those who victimize our children,” - John Summers

"The verdict sends a loud message that these type of disgraceful offenses against children will not be tolerated in our community. We will continue to work with our federal partners in our efforts to protect children,” -Chief Rodgers

Sex Trafficking is not a subject Nicole and I just randomly came up with one day so we would have something to write about. It's a very real injustice and a very huge one. Maybe if someone had informed that girl of the dangers of sex trafficking and described to her some of the ways you can become involved in that industry she would've never met with this guy and never had to go through that trauma. You sharing your information on the matter of sex trafficking could mean the difference between someone remaining free, and someone becoming a victim.

Don't ever forget to stay aware,

Janice and Nicole

P.S. Have you been doing your sticky notes? If you have email us your story, we would love to share it for you! if you don't know what sticky noting is read our first blog post "Let's Explain Our Mission." Our email is: askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com

All names, including from quotes, were changed.

HELP!

H! E! L! P! That was the start of a jump rope rhyme from when I was younger. If you stopped jumping on "H" you had hot chili peppers and the rope would restart super fast. If you landed on "E" you had the unfortunate job of jumping again with your eyes closed. And so went the jump rope game.

So, here is the issue. Male sex trafficking. There was an older post that Janice and I had done on the matter. The issue with doing another post? It was so hard to find anything for the first post. So, why are we doing another post on the matter?

 As I read God in a Brothel I came upon the author mentioning male sex trafficking several times. This totally made me look bug eyed as I was so excited to do another post on the matter. But all I can tell you from the book is male sex trafficking is popular and that it is very popular in the Caribbean and that the boys being sold there start off very young.

This was enough from the book for me to do a post. My next matter of business was to go online to look for facts. I was disheartened at the lack of information I found. I am not sure if we are looking in the wrong places or what but Janice and I have been having a hard time finding much information. We find a lot of things that say there is male sex trafficking, but not many statistics on the matter.

What I would have love to find was current statistics from different countries. Statistics like the ratio of males to females. The average ages that the boys are. Even a list of the top five countries where male sex trafficking is the worst.

Did I find any of that? Nope. So, my next order of business was my brilliant idea to drop out of school and go do the research for myself. Janice could keep the blog up on the home front and I could keep all you wonderful readers up to date on the research. Plus, having a front row seat and help those, personally, who were being trafficked was a cool idea.

My idea was soon, momentarily, postponed with my realization of my current lack of money to fund my research. So until further notice I am still a college student. But you get where I was coming from, right?

Anyway, Janice and I have a favor to ask of you wonderful readers. Do you know of any FACTS, STATISTICS or RESEARCHES on male sex trafficking? Or even a place to find information? We need to make sure that all information shared is backed up by creditable sources. If you do, sharing the information with us would be greatly appreciated.

Janice and I are human. We need help every once in awhile.

(I want to make sure that you all know that we are very aware of the fact that male sex trafficking varies. In this post we are going off of what we know and what I personally read in the book.)

Thank you friends,

Nicole and Janice

P.S. Feel free to email us information too! Our email is askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com

Heres to a Special Guest

Good day to all you wonderful people! Here is a post from an awesome person! He is doing wonderful things in the fight against sex trafficking. Take the time to read what he says and then go follow his blog! It is worth your time and you will not be disappointed!

Now, without anymore from us here is an awesome post from our friend Sam!

When I was 7 years old I went to elementary school, and I ate a delicious pb&j sandwich everyday at lunch.  Then I played kickball.  I have had opportunities in my life to be a part of great things.  I have had adventures, gone to fun parties, pursued my passion, and had a supportive family by my side.  Simply put, I am free, and I always have been.  

It wasn't until recently that I understood just how important freedom is.  

I have known about human trafficking for a long time.  I always hear about how there are "27 million" slaves worldwide.  But, in order to really understand human trafficking, I needed to view it on a smaller scale.  

Last year I was in a coffee shop writing for my blog, when I noticed a poster for the organization  Tiny Hands International.  After learning about where they worked, and what they did, it brought the whole "modern day slavery" idea into new light.  

I learned that every year in Nepal 10-15,000 girls and young women between the ages of 7 and 24 were deceived and taken across the border to India to be sex slaves.  Knowing this put everything into perspective for me.  Freedom is something that I have been blessed with.  The question is, what was I willing to do for freedom?

This is what caused me to dedicate my life to fighting this injustice the only way that I knew how.  I began raising money for Tiny Hands through my  passion for adventure. I call this my quest for freedom, but instead of telling you what I'm doing to fight trafficking, I want to hear what you're willing to do.

What are you willing to do for freedom?

Sam is a blogger, adventurer, and speaker.  For more information on him, and what he's doing to fight human trafficking, check out his blog at samexplores.com.  

Give Me Two Seconds to Explain

Hello! I hope that you all are having a wonderful day and that you are excited for the weekend! If you aren't, that is totally okay. Because I am! And it isn't just because there is an American Football game this Sunday. Although that may be a huge part to why I am so excited for the weekend.

Now, on to other matters! As some of you lovely people know, a few of the posts from this past week have been inspired by a book called God in a Brothel An Undercover Journey into Sex Trafficking and Rescue. If I were to sum this book up in one sentence, I would have a hard time. I would really want to say something that completely gives the book its justice and also convince you that you should read it. But I am not sure that I can do that, but I will give it a try.

The book God in a Brothel is  amazing and totally life changing.

Is that a good enough sentence? Because, I don't think it is. So, I will retire the idea of one perfect sentence to describe an amazing book, and just tell you how I feel.

This book messed up my world single handedly. The way I looked at things were completely changed. The book was not dull. I kept turning the page. I would read the book late at night till I could no longer keep my eyes open. The book is written in a way that keeps your interest. In the end you aren't left hanging my some cliffhanger. The author tells the complete, raw truth. His views and what was going on internally are in the book along with stories of operations that took place.

I don't want to say too much on the book because I really do want you all to read it. Out of all the books I have read, and there are a LOT, I would definitely put this book in my top five. If you aren't a much of a reader, don't worry! The book is relatively short. In fact many of these posts were written in advance, as I read the book, so the information could be written down while still fresh. The author, Daniel Walker does an amazing job. The end is even an ending that I did not expect. This book is a true gem.

Now, I know that some of you may be a little interested in the title of the book. Yes, the author is a Christian. But at the start of the book he even explains how he wrote the book so that if you aren't a Christian you wouldn't be overwhelmed. Daniel has really done a good job with the book.

I cried at the stories and I wondered why people could do such horrible things. But then I guess its just free will. And that is why Janice and I are using our free will to get people up and awake so they become aware of this injustice.

In the book Daniel talks about how truly easy it is to start making a change in the sex industry. As I put this book down and am ready to pick up another one, I am more fired up and ready to continue on in the fight against sex trafficking.



I hope that you are able to take the time and read this life changing book,

Nicole and Janice

P.S. Know of any other books on the topic of sex trafficking? Let Us know! We would love to take a look at them! Email us at askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com

Men

"It is easy to hate men. Men create the demand for sex trafficking, which the criminals involved in human trafficking are only to eager to supply. Without these men and their personal pursuit of pleasure, the simple fact is there would be no sex trafficking and no forced prostitution."

Now, before Janice and I get a lot of messages from different people about how we are "hatin" on men, let me just say, that quote is from Daniel Walker. A man.

Sure, sometimes when girls get into groups we talk about how stupid the male gender can be at times. We're girls after all and we love to vent to each other. Though this is the case I want to be completely transparent at the moment on this matter. The more I have looked into sex trafficking, the harder it has been for me to, sometimes, be forgiving to men who commit these crimes.

I would rather put my fist into the man's face then show any sign of forgiveness to him. Now, before you all start thinking I have anger issues I should stop. In my life, I understand, to be forgiven I must also forgive. I cannot hold anger in my heart to these men. Even though it is really hard to live that out.

This weekend as I was reading God in a Brothel my complete out look was changed. This book totally messed me up. There is a part in the book where Daniel talks about how even though these men are doing horrible things, he has noticed that these men are slaves to something as well. They are slaves to greed and lust. Not caring what they do, or who they hurt as long as they are satisfied. These men are slaves to selfishness. So, when you were younger and your mom told you to share your toys with you brother or sister and to not be selfish, she knew what she was talking about.

Daniel also talks about how some of the men he has come a crossed, in his work, have justified what they are doing. They feel what they are doing is okay because they are in sexually primitive countries when they are having oral or vaginal sex with girls no older then 6. They also feel that they are helping provide money for these girls. That they are spreading the wealth. But all these men are really doing is lying to themselves.

This book opened my eyes to different forms of slavery, where even the ones oppressing are victims as well. I am in no way saying that this is an excuse for their wrong behavior. But, I do feel a pinch more forgiveness in my heart. Though what they are doing is totally wrong, they need help as well. They need to be set free.

So, lets stop only trying to fix the surface issue of sex trafficking by focusing only on the rescue of girls (though we're highly focused on that too) and start, also, fighting the infection that is causing the wound to stay open and continue to spread.

Just a random thought,

Nicole and Janice


All quotes in this post are from Daniel Walker's book God in a Brothel an Undercover Journey into Sex Trafficking and Rescue.


Walker, Daniel. God in a Brothel An Undercover Journey into Sex Trafficking and Rescue. Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 2011. Print.

Oh, What You Learn: Sex Tourism

Before any of you continue to read, I want to put out a warning. If you are a person to get a little squirmish on sensitive matters, this post may be hard for you to read. If you don't read this post fill free to read any of Janice and my older post. But I do highly suggest reading this post.

The topic today is sex tourism. I am currently reading a book, I am a book worm after all. This book is called God in a Brothel an Undercover Journey into Sex Trafficking and Rescue, by Daniel Walker. The book is extremely good and I think that everyone should read it. Weather you believe in God or not. At the start of the book the author explains how he wrote the book in a way that if you aren't a Christian you wont be overwhelmed. I would continue on about the book, but I will save that for another post. Right now I really just want to talk about one part of the book.

Daniel is an undercover officer and he did jobs were he helped get girls out of brothels and the sex trade. Anyway, there is a chapter called: Southeast Asia Her Name is Mahal. The chapter is very good but it talks a lot about sex tourism. The area that he was in, the bars dealt a lot with sex tourist. He describes the men in them as, "some fit the image of the stereotypical sex tourist: overweight, unattractive and with few social skills. Others looked like men who could easily have been my mechanic, my bank manager, my barber or my neighbor."

A sex tourist doesn't just have one specific look. But at the bars Daniel went to, if you wanted to take one of the young girls back to your hotel room, you had to pay $25 first. Oh my goodness. On a side note. That is just so heart breaking to me. You pretty much can't get a pair of jeans that cheap at a department story. Do you understand that? People can buy sex for less then a pair of jeans. I can hardly go to the store and get food, as a college student for $25. I generally pay more. This fact makes me sick to my stomach and want to cry. I think that it is horrible that the world is in a place where we sell people for nothing. I think that it is horrid that people are being sold at all. At this particular site the girls that were rescued were between the ages of 12 and 14. This is just so crazy to me. And completely unacceptable.

I will continue now. After the rescue had been done, later on, Daniel had gotten a letter from one of the girls. She had not been at the bar long but she thanked Daniel and told him she would never forget him. She told him that she was going to reach for her dreams and become a lawyer to help other girls who are in similar situations, like she use to be in. And she told him to never stop what he was doing. Want to know something about her?

She had been in the bar for 5 nights and then the bust happened. She is what they called a "cherry girl." She was a virgin that was up for sale at the bars. "And while many were interested, none was ready to pay more then $900 for her virginity." It goes on to say that, "cherry popping is very popular among the many sex tourists who traverse the world."

Janice and I are just so out raged about this and filled with such a fire to see the sex industry stopped, not just locally or in some other country, but world wide. Sex trafficking needs to be stopped. Why? Why? Maybe not even why, but how? Why would a person ever want to have sex with a 12 year old girl but also how on God's green earth could that give a person satisfaction. This needs to be stopped. Sex tourism needs to be stopped. Sex with under aged girls needs to stop. This all needs to stop!

Now that I have gone on that little rant her are some facts the Daniel puts in the book about sex tourism.

1. Sex tourism is defined as traveling to a foreign country for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity.
2. Sex tourism is a lucrative industry that spans the globe.
3. As tourist travel to explore foreign cultures, economically developing countries have welcomed the expansion of the international tourism industry as a much needed source of income
4. Travel agencies around the globe promote exotic sexual adventures with overseas women. Websites provide potential sex tourists with pornographic accounts written by other tourists. These websites supply information on sex establishments and prices in various destinations, including information on how to specifically procure the prostitute of your choice. Associated with the exponential rise in this industry is the growth of child sex tourism. The internet also provided potential child sex tourists. They provide information on sex establishments and prices in various destinations, and how to specifically procure child prostitutes.
5. Sex tourism feeds the beast of sexual slavery

Lets stop this injustice,

Nicole and Janice

P.S. Have you been sticky noting? Have any cool stories how you are helping stop the sex trade? Email Janice and I at askmeaboutsextrafficking@gmail.com We would love to share your story! If you don't know what sticky noting is read our first blog post "Let's Explain Our Mission." And while you're at it read some of our other older posts! After all, information is key in stopping the sex trade.


All quotes in this post were used from Daniel Walker's book God in a Brothel An Undercover Journey into Sex Trafficking and Rescue.


Walker, Daniel. God in a Brothel An Undercover Journey into Sex Trafficking and Rescue. Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 2011. Print.