Exposing Human Trafficking
A common misconception about human trafficking is that it only happens in foreign countries, to girls from those foreign countries. Instead, we have come to find it in our own backyard. The reality is that many of the victims of sex-trafficking in San Diego are not foreign women, but are in fact American women.
In every city there is a population of girls who are uniquely vulnerable to sexual exploitation and enslavement. Runaway, throw-away, and homeless children are propositioned for sex within 72 hours on the streets. With the rise of modern technology, the internet has made it increasingly easier, safer, and more convenient for sexual predators to satisfy their sexual desires. With the inherent secrecy of the internet, the public scrutiny/stigma is not present in the way that it was before the world wide web became such a dominant cultural force. This increased demand provides significant economic motivation for individuals to provide these men with victims–often homeless, runaway children, or simply women who have left a hard life for what they perceive to be a better one.
The problem is that people believe the lie that sex trafficking is a chosen way of life. That women who sell sex do so because they want to. Although this is true in some cases, many women are lured into prostitution and then trapped by abusive pimps. Many women are trapped into exploitation by men they think they can trust, usually in their early teen years (or younger). They often come from poor and abusive families. Without the love and support of those they live with, they are easy prey for pimps.
GenerateHope seeks to bring recovery to women who have been enslaved in a lifestyle of sexual exploitation. It will be the first safe home and long-term recovery program for women and children who have been prostituted or trafficked. Due to the trauma that these women have endured it is crucial that they have a supportive, compassionate environment that will be able to meet their unique needs.
