Thanks for the sweet introduction from Nicole Lacolle. Big shoes to fill following her blog!
Being near the tail end of an amazing blog tag is a distinct disadvantage. I would think about one post I wanted to write which fit in with the theme, "Sometimes I wish___" and then someone would post something similar. After awhile, I realized blogging together with such talented story tellers is humbling to say the least.
But I realize what I really sometimes wish is that there was no need to share the facts I am about to share. I wish injustices such as this were so far removed from our society we need never discuss them again. Sometimes I wish we could stop putting a band aid on a major wound and stop refusing to acknowledge what is going on in our own backyard.
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I am a passionate advocate for stopping domestic minor trafficking. It has been 150 years since the Emancipation Proclamation and yet even today over 100,000 children, some as young as 8 years of age are bought and sold in the United States alone as sex slaves to countless individuals! The United States has the second highest rate of trafficking of women and children in the world and this unspeakable crime has invaded not just our inner cities but into our comfortable bedroom communities where children are lured away so innocently it appears invisible. It happens in Columbus, Ohio, Atlanta, Georgia, Houston, Texas, Washington, D.C, Hartford, Connecticut and and every city in between. It is the fastest growing crime in the country and yet few people really believe it is happening at all.
There is hope. Holly Austin Smith is a survivor who bravely shares her story in hopes to stop this epidemic.Organizations like the PolarisProject , Resoultion Hope and Youth-Spark are launching major campaigns to raise the level of awareness about this heinous crime. These are your daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces and nephews. These are not willing victims or those who elected to end up in the circumstances they are in. These are not individuals who have crime records or have already been involved in breaking the law. These are the faces of children once playing with dolls or Legos, trying out for the debate team or dreaming about their wedding day.
Would you help save a child if you knew how little it really takes?
I will be expanding my outreach and forming alliances with groups to raise the awareness in our communities and begin building networks where those trafficked can begin building their lives. There are simply not enough places to address the needs of those trafficked and instead they are often sent to shelters where no real treatment is given to restore a life robbed of innocence and dignity.
Sometimes I wish there would never be a need to share information such as this but until that day...I will share as long as there is just one child left to rescue. I hope I can count on you to help make this wish come true.
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Join me in hopping over to visit Kimly B who shares stories from her soul that will move yours. Love her blog site and her thoughtful inspirations and I am sure you will think as I do, here is just one more amazing writer in this group! Take it away, Kimly!
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