National News Archives - Page 9 of 11 - Women At Risk, International

Strip Clubs in the U.S.

Weeknights, as many families are eating, playing games or watching Prime Time, women around the U.S. prepare to care for women in the sex industry. These volunteers are moms, wives, and daughters who are passionate about empowering other women. Outreach teams bring everything from hot meals or baked goods to high-quality beauty products to those working in strip clubs and massage parlors across the country.

What the women bring is more powerful than lip gloss. They are bringing the love of Christ and the message of the Gospel. Their unconditional love is displayed through their consistency and allows them to learn the names of the dancers, pray for them, and connect them with resources they may need (should they decide to leave the industry). Condemnation is not even in their vocabulary. They go in knowing we are all sinners. But, most of all, we are all created by the Most High God and can be princesses in His Kingdom.

Almost 90 percent of women in the sex industry have experienced some form of sexual abuse as children. Many of the women in strip clubs were lured into the sex industry as minors; some women find themselves under the control of a pimp (a trafficker by definition). These traffickers can be violent in their approach to the women and often force them to prostitute, on top of working in the local strip club.

In a recent study of 130 prostitutes by the Foundation for Research on Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 82 percent reported they had been physically assaulted, 83 percent had been threatened with a weapon, and 68 percent had been raped while working. These are the women society has forgotten, which is exactly why the work of these outreach teams is so critical.

The issue of human trafficking has come to light, proving itself to be an epidemic. It is no longer seen as a dark corner crime. With brave abolitionists beginning to take a stand against this injustice have come many different ways to get involved with the fight against sex trafficking. Direct outreach into strip clubs and massage parlors operating as brothels is just one of the ways we can make a difference. If direct outreach is something you’d like to get involved with, we urge you to do a little research on groups who may already be doing this sort of thing in your area. Prayer is of utmost importance, and it’s something we can all do to practically care for those in the sex industry.

Every day we see the sides of highways flooded with billboards advertising the local strip club. In fact, in large cities, some cabs and taxis have ads for strip clubs or escort agencies on the roofs of the cars. Every time you pass a billboard, some kind of advertisement, or a physical venue, we urge you to pray. Prayer is not insignificant – it’s a force powerful enough to change the hearts of pimps and traffickers.

We will be praying for you as you discern which way God is calling you to serve. Above all, it is our hope you would begin to look at these billboards and venues differently – that they aren’t simply provocative signs or buildings on the side of the road. They represent places where girls are being bought and sold in our cities –every single night. These women are real people with real passions and desires. Some of them have never heard the true Gospel of Christ. We hope you’ll consider being His hands and feet – becoming Christ with skin on – to those in the sex industry in some way.

Good News for the State of MI

On March 2, legislation was approved by the Michigan House, forcing many public places to begin posting human trafficking notices. This effort is designed to help fight the 32 billion dollar industry currently flourishing here in the United States. The legislation was passed 95 to eight, proving that this bipartisan bill was widely accepted by legislators and advocates alike.

This new law will require notices in places like state rest stops, public transportation venues, strip clubs, and airports, among many other places. Businesses that refuse to comply with this new standard will be fined 250 dollars a year after their first notice. The fine could reach up to 500 dollars after the third notice.

The proposed legislation comes shortly after Shared Hope International released their Protected Innocence Challenge results from 2015 stating that Michigan as a whole went from an F to a B grade in how trafficking cases are handled.

Advocates of the legislation have argued this could lead to more arrests in the long run, while helping victims feel more comfortable to speak out about their abuse. Ultimately, the hope is that this will be a low-cost way to educate the community on the issue of human trafficking, provide the help victims require, and prevent the start of other trafficking cases in the state. This bill encourages Civilian First Responders to keep an eye out for trafficking situations in their own backyards.

A volunteer at WAR, Int’l has also worked hard to make it easier for victims to receive help. Creating what she calls the “Unbound Project,” she is in the process of sending tear-off cards with the National Human Trafficking Hotline number on them into local businesses – right here in West Michigan. We get so excited to see volunteers finding creative and unique ways to reach out to those in need in our community!

We are very thankful for the advocates and legislators who made this bill a reality, forcing others to join the fight against human trafficking for the betterment of our communities. We pray this would be an opportunity to raise awareness, while providing the resources victims need to get back on their feet after abuse. Our goal at WAR, Int’l is to see lives restored with dignity and hope. We believe this legislation is one more step in the right direction to do just that.

No one came looking because I never went missing

“No one came looking because I never went missing” – Jen Spry

Human trafficking is real and ever-present, right here in our own backyards. Across the country, little girls just like Jen Spry, whose story is featured in the video below, are trafficked by predatory adults. We want to thank Jen for telling her story, and for being willing to unveil the secrets of her past to save even just one child from this injustice. Just like Jen says in this video, it’s time for the church to stand against this issue. Shared Hope International has developed a Faith-In-Action kit, educating church leaders and members to identify the signs of human trafficking, while understanding the necessary steps that need to be taken if a child is being abused. You can join this effort by clicking here.

The Faith-In-Action kit includes the Chosen PLUS educational DVD, targeted, practical discussion and study tools for men, women and children, a “Resource Guide for Men” to break the chains of addiction, sermon notes for pastoral staff, facts about trafficking, a how-to-respond guide, and a 30-day prayer guide.

As you listen to Jen’s story, we pray you’ll be encouraged to fight for the children within your circle of influence, and begin thinking about what you can do to be a voice for the voiceless. She was trafficked by a neighbor – not even a mile from her home. It is our job as neighbors, friends, guardians, parents, family members, coaches and teachers to know the signs of abuse so we can create circles of protection around those we come in contact with.

Our desire at WAR, Int’l is to step into risk issues just like human trafficking – to lift women to lives of dignity and worth after abuse and exploitation. If you are not sure where to begin when it comes to joining the fight against this injustice, consider attending one of our Civilian First Responder conferences. At these training days, we cover the basics of human trafficking, how to identify a victim, how to get involved, and how to report what you see. Join us as we seek to educate the public on why becoming a safe haven for the vulnerable is the key to combatting this issue right here at home.

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

For the last few years, January has been named National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. In fact, the President released a statement earlier this month, calling upon, “Businesses, national and community organizations, families, and all Americans to recognize the vital role we can play in ending all forms of slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.”

Here at WAR, Int’l, we observe National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month every month. You see, trafficking doesn’t sleep. Oppression reigns around the world, where the innocence of another is stolen every 30 seconds. For 10 years, we’ve been asking ourselves this question: How many is too many? We believe that answer is one.

This month, more than ever, we deeply desire our communities to rise up against injustice. We’re asking you to come out of your comfort zone to bring hope to the hopeless; to be a voice to the voiceless.

We want to give you a few suggestions on how to join the movement this January:

Give up your weekly Starbucks. Many of us absolutely love our coffee. But, have you ever considered giving what you would have spent on coffee to an organization fighting human trafficking? The reality is that children as young as five years old are harvesting coffee beans on plantations all around the world for little to no pay. This is what we call labor trafficking. We invite you to give up coffee for the rest of January and donate your savings to Women At Risk, Int’l. If you’re interested in this opportunity, please click here.
Pledge to tell five of your friends about the dangers of human trafficking. In any of its forms, trafficking easily engrains itself into our communities. Share this issue with those closest to you to raise awareness!
Pray. We know that sounds so simple, but prayer is the only way we will end human trafficking. Think about it: We can fundraise and we can build safehouses, but if there’s no heart-change, we’ve done very little to break the cycle.

If you are interested in sounding a battle cry with us this month to rescue those trapped in the bondage of slavery, we invite you to visit our Get Involved page here. We have practical tools to help you take your first (or next) steps in ending human trafficking.

Please join us in this fight, and know that while one month may bring light to this tragedy, at-risk women all over the world suffer, sometimes for years, before rescue. What can you give up this month to bless a woman in need? Through your time, talent and treasure, we can fight exploitation together.
While it breaks our hearts that we even need a month here in the United States to recognize that trafficking exists, we understand the importance of raising awareness, and we applaud our government for declaring this month one for reflection and justice.

Join us today and spread the word this month!

White Ribbon Week – Pornography and its harmful effects

Pornography. What do you think of when you hear that word? For many wives of pornography addicts, this word sends chills down the spine. In fact, in a recent survey of 63 wives of self-identified sex addicts, 70 percent met most criteria for a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. When you think about porn, we bet you don’t think of PTSD.

Maybe you don’t know that two-thirds of women involved in the pornography industry in the United States also suffer from PTSD. Now, compare that with 11 percent of Vietnam veterans who struggle with the disease.

Contrary to our culture’s belief, pornography is harmful on many levels. For those of you who don’t know, this week is “White Ribbon Week,” raising awareness of pornography and its many facets. This week at WAR, Int’l, we want to draw your attention to pornography as an issue that fuels sex trafficking, child exploitation, and sexual violence.

In the last several years, porn has grown increasingly violent. In fact, 88 percent of all porn videos involve some kind of violence that can include slapping, punching, spanking, or gagging. The same study also showed that 49 percent of scenes contain verbal aggression, including name-calling.

One of the reasons porn flourishes in today’s society is because of its accessibility. Men and women no longer have to go to a store to rent a porn video or buy a copy of Playboy. Twenty years ago, those who bought porn did so by passing the magazine or video through the hands of a sales clerk. Today, this is not the case. The Internet can be a great thing, but with a world of information at our fingertips has also come the ability to bypass the average sales associate when it comes to purchasing porn.

It’s also important to note that 13 percent of all erotic, sexual searches on the internet in 2013 were for child pornography. Pornography is not an issue primarily focused on adult women. While pornography becomes increasingly violent, the desire for young children also grows.

Covenant Eyes, an organization which produces internet accountability software, recently did a study of 13-17 year olds that showed 83 percent of boys and 57 percent of girls have seen group sex online. Sixty-nine percent of boys and 55 percent of girls have seen same-sex intercourse online, and 39 percent of boys and 23 percent of girls have seen sexual bondage online.

This issue goes beyond choosing not to watch pornography. Do you know what your children are looking at online? Do you know who they are talking to? If recent studies show that 92 percent of teens report going online daily, and 24 percent go online “almost constantly,” parents need to become circles of protection around their children.

This week, we want to encourage you to start a conversation about the porn industry. Research this issue more on your own. This is the perfect opportunity to talk with your children about it and start an open conversation among your immediate family members. Being a safe haven for your circle of influence is a powerful thing.

TAKE ACTION:

Here are a few ways to combat the rise of pornography from right where you are.

Wear a white ribbon or the color white throughout this week.
If you are struggling with your own addiction, we want to encourage you to seek out a local Sexaholics Anonymous group. We want you to know you are not alone and there are people who want to help.
If you are the spouse/significant other of an addict, start a support group. You can email info@warinternational.org for a resource guide.
Develop rules in your house regarding internet use, and talk to your children and grandchildren about the dangers of pornography.
Host a movie night with friends and show a film such as Somebody’s Daughter, The Price of Pleasure, or Nefarious: Merchant of Souls. Start a discussion within your own circle of influence.