The trafficking and sexual exploitation of children is a “flourishing” industry. It is booming right here in the US, too. Powerful people have been exposed as traffickers and abusers. It’s a shocking reality. But to look at the problem within a framework of influential abusers (or evil “elites”) isn’t untrue, it’s just half-true. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- We can be certain that there are some child traffickers and abusers in entertainment & government, because there are child traffickers and abusers in every community. In your city. At your gym. In your faith community. In your neighborhood.
- And the real danger is not the risk of being distracted by pandemics and protests. It is thinking that the setting for child abuse is exotic and that the perpetrators lead lives nothing like yours.
- The real danger isn’t that you will put your head in the sand, it is that you will define child trafficking as only metropolitan or distant. When it is just as often home-spun.
- The real danger is that you will mistake anti-trafficking work for a box office mystery or action movie. When in reality it is thoughtful, collaborative, and best fueled by learning.
Let’s give trafficked children an attention span that matches our fury. Or else, while it will be genuine and warranted it may not be productive. Look for ways to translate anger and sadness about child trafficking into action. Reach out and connect with others in your network that are concerned. Thank you for caring. You have a part to play. Stick around.
Here are three ways to help in the fight against child trafficking:
- Be equipped to recognize myths and to support children in your family and community. Check out our free webinars!
- Be a listener and learner when it comes to this issue. Here’s just a few places:
- Give monthly to the work experts are doing to help children. Whether it’s us or another organization fighting child trafficking that you trust. Giving monthly matters.
