A Closer Look at Sex Trafficking
The victims of sex trafficking are often homeless, runaway children, or simply women who have left a hard life for what they perceive to be a better one. Without the proper love and support they are easy prey for pimps.
These pimps often pose as boyfriends, showering the girl with affection and gifts–something they have not experienced before. They feel loved and cared for; the pimp becomes their ‘refuge’–someone whom they can run to when things are tough. Once the emotional bond has been formed, the pimps behavior changes drastically. In an instant, the loving boyfriend facade is replaced with reality–cruel, calculating evil. The one they trusted to care for them, now uses that trust to hurt them in every way possible. The pimps inform them that they are property and will do whatever is demanded of them. Not only are they property, but they are in debt. Every gift bestowed upon them must be paid for; this payment is prostitution. There are no other options. Once a pimp moves a child from her hometown into a strange city, the pimp can easily force her to work as a prostitute. At least one million American children are involved in prostitution each year.
These women/children experience abuse in the form of brutal rapes, beatings, and confinement.
For these girls, there is no way out. Failure to comply will result in horrible physical/sexual
abuse, or even death. A life of horror, pain, and shame awaits them as they spend day after day
servicing the sexual needs of any person willing to pay. To numb the pain, the majority of women quickly become addicted to the drugs provided to them by their pimp. The cost of the drugs is often added to their debt. Thus a vicious cycle begins–one that most girls never escape. These girls, victimized as children, become women on the streets. These women did not ‘choose’
prostitution; it became the only way they could survive.
GenerateHope seeks to bring recovery to women who have been enslaved in a lifestyle of
Prostitution. Although our goal is to equip them so they will be able to function confidently and
independently in society, this will not happen immediately. The road to recovery is a slow and
difficult journey. At GenerateHope, we realize that and are prepared to provide support for the
long term (up to 7 years). Progress is made in small steps. Our goal will be to provide as much
support and individualized instruction as we can to meet the specific needs of each woman in our
program. Our Day Treatment Program provides groups and support for such things as life
skills, communication and relationship skills, parenting skills, substance abuse, and healing, as
well as instruction in core academic subjects that will prepare them to enroll in community
college or vocational school.
Ultimately, our goal is to provide them with the skills and knowledge they will need to live
independently and become a positive influence on their communities and future generations.
This article is Part 2 in a series of articles about sex trafficking. Read part 1 »