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National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
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NAASCA Highlights
EDITOR'S NOTE: Occasionally we bring you articles from local newspapers, web sites and other sources that constitute but a small percentage of the information available to those who are interested in the issues of child abuse and recovery from it.
We also present original articles we hope will inform the community ... |
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Do You Really Want to Fight Sex Trafficking?
by Bill Murray
We applaud Jody Williams, our fellow NAASCA family member, for all the work she's doing to help in the fight against Sex Trafficking, to put a dent in the statistics!
We're re-presenting a recent LinkedIn post she wrote, here as a "Feature Article" on the www.NAASCA.org website and are always delighted to have an opportunity to help her spread the word !!!
Be sure to check out her web site: www.SexWorkersAnonymous.com
ALSO: Take a listen to Jody's special guest appearance on our "Stop Child Abuse Now" talk show in 2014. We're working on getting her to return soon !!
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Do You Really Want to Fight Sex Trafficking?
Feb 4, 2015
by Jody Williams - www.linkedin.com/in/sexworkersanonymous/en
Start asking questions.
First of all, we all now know that pedophiles seek out jobs where they not only have access to children to molest, but also positions of power. This way they can also protect themselves against accusations - and also use their reputation and power to discredit their abusers.
Look at the case of Michael Jackson for example. He spent a lot of money contributing to nonprofits that worked with sick kids. Then he would invite those groups to bring the kids out to Neverland to play. What he did here was he put those groups into the position where even they wouldn't want to hear what some poor sick disadvantaged kid was going to say because it threatened their donations. Then when the accusations came - what was the response? Oh they were just poor families trying to make a buck off the lawsuit. But he targeted those poor sick disadvantaged kids in the first place.
The same when he attacked kids who were trying to make a career for themselves in Hollywood. Victims knew that if they stepped up to either make their own accusations or to validate anyone else's accusations - their careers were over. Now who else is going to caution them to remain silent? Their agents, managers, producers, etc. who also don't want to get caught in the cross-fire with someone who had the money, power, notoriety that Michael Jackson had.
Now let's look at the issue of trafficking. Might they not follow the same patterns? Even more so, might they not want to spread the same "dis-information" that we've witnessed groups like Monsanto are going about gmo foods, or even that Apple is using to deflect the accusations that their phones were made with slave labor?
What better way to focus attention off of them - the real traffickers - but to engage your time, energy and money into a lot of useless activities. Parades, pot lucks, parties, lectures, etc. In the meantime - they go on operating undisturbed. While you're attending concerts to "fight trafficking" they go on with business as usual.
How do you know you're making a dent? Before you get involved with any group, or donate one dollar, or volunteer one hour - ask questions. How many victims are they actively working with to help right now? How many have they saved in the past? Is there any testimonials to verify their work is effective? Is the activity fund raising? For what? What's going to be done with the money? Who makes the decision about how the money is spent?
People have asked me how I knew certain "imposters" were in fact "imposters" instead of real trafficking survivors. To me the answers were simple. They'd show up at fund raisers and to accept awards - but when I'd invite them to come speak to some freshly rescued victims who needed to hear some support and hope they'd refuse. Real victims of any trauma are more than willing, but in fact eager, to speak to other victims who understand their exact pain. If anything, speaking to others who don't understand them is a very difficult process. If you see someone showing up to change legislation, accept an award, solicit money at a fund raiser - but you're not seeing them actually reaching out to help other victims - something is wrong with that picture.
The tobacco companies were known to manufacture their own studies to try and prove that smoking wasn't harmful or addictive. If you think there isn't media trying to convince you that certain types of commercial sex is just "fun and games" - you're naïve. Even celebrities say you can't believe 1/2 of what you read anymore online or in the news.
So "buyer beware" applies to the field of sex trafficking just as much as any other field. Ask questions. Think. Be analytical. Research. Be logical.
I'm starting a project right now to put up posters of missing sex trafficking victims in nail salons - along with the phone number to various trafficking hotlines. Why? Every single victim I've ever spoke to has reported to me that they had their nails done in a salon. I used to get my referrals from a nail tech when I was a madam. Ever nail salon owner I have ever spoken to has told me they know exactly who the prostitutes are in their salon as well as who is there by choice and who isn't. They know when they see a girl dropped off by an armed man who says "I'll be back in an hour to get you" what's going on. Those are the same women who help me take a victim out the back door of that salon to safety also.
If you'd like to get more information on this outreach project - please get in touch with me at www.sexworkersanonymous.com
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