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!!