One thing that is heavy on my heart is the issue of Human Trafficking, the term used for modern day slavery. Perhaps the reason it is so close to my heart is I look back on my life and think how easily it could have been me. A large number of run away teens are exploited everyday. They are preyed upon by men and women alike who are looking to make a profit by selling these young girls for sex. As a teenager who ran away from home, I am so thankful I was not put into the path of such people which could easily had me trapped in a completely different life than I am so blessed to be living now. Another thing that compels me to speak out against slavery is, as a teen I also found myself in a very bad situation that could have ended up being so much worse. I was out with friends one night when a young man slipped a drug into my drink then when I was unable to fight back he took me deep into the woods of North Carolina and assaulted me. I think how easily I was taken and beaten and how that the outcome could have been so much worse. As bad as the experience was and as hard as it is for me to speak about it (even now 25 years later) I am reminded of these poor helpless girls around the world who are not so lucky. So needless to say it breaks my heart to hear of Human trafficking in any form.
So what is the link between pornography and Human Trafficking?
We tend to have the mindset that pornography does not hurt anyone. But that is so far from the truth. Pornography is a gateway to slavery just as marijuana is a gateway to other hardcore drugs. Studies show those who are addicted to porn eventually loose satisfaction with just watching sexual encounters and seek them out themselves with trafficked human beings. A good example of this is Ariel Castro, the man who was recently convicted of enslaving three young girls in his home. In an interview he said he needed help he stated he was addicted to sex. So if your thinking that's not me I could never do that remember somone can, someone did and someone will! Now think about this next connection... The Freedom Youth Project Foundation reports that thousands of trafficked children and young adults are forced to make pornographic films every year. Pornographic films that regular unknowing people are buying and watching that are ultimately supporting this horrific act. "Supply and Demand" If that's not bad enough yet another appalling statistic estimates 40%–80% of consumers of child porn abuse and molest a child...as if child porn was not appalling enough by itself!
Lets stand up and fight against this awful crime! Don't be part of the problem - Be part of the solution!!!
Isaiah 1:17 - Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.
