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.

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GenerateHope was recently featured on San Diego News 6 CW.

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With great excitement, we welcomed the first two participants into our safe house last night. Our Day Program begins today!

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. (more…)

A few hundred North County residents took to the streets of downtown Vista on Saturday afternoon for a one-mile “Walk for Awareness” in recognition of the United States Senate’s National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

Read the whole article at NCTimes.com »

Tuesday, January 19th, 5:30 PM – Kings Inn, Mission Valley

Soroptimist International of San Diego invites you to attend a very special program meeting on January 19th. The speaker will be Susan Tiefenbrun, Ph.D., Professor, Thomas Jefferson School of Law. Professor Tiefenbrun has been writing and speaking about sex slavery and human trafficking for many years. Her expertise is recognized by human rights organizations throughout the world. This program is presented as part of Soroptimist International of the America’s STOP Sex Trafficking campaign and January 11th – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. (more…)

Ten people, some of whom are documented members of four different Oceanside gangs with warring histories, face federal charges for allegedly pimping three teenage females throughout North County, authorities said Tuesday.

Authorities said some of the defendants came together despite their individual membership in different, sometimes warring, street gangs.

“The gang angle was surprising to us,” Oceanside police Lt. Joe Young said. “But the common denominator was that they were making money. I believe that is what brought them together.”

Young said the prostitution happened at motels from Carlsbad to Escondido, as well as in Southwest Riverside County.

The group is accused of pimping two 15-year-old girls and one 19-year-old woman, Serano said, adding that she “would not be surprised” if investigators find more victims.

Read the whole article at NCTimes.com.

More than a month after the FBI announced it had rescued 52 children
from sexual slavery in a nationwide crackdown on child
prostitution, none of the victims is receiving the help specialists
say is necessary to overcome such trauma and rejoin society.

At least one, a 15-year-old Sacramento girl held on an unrelated
charge, remains in a juvenile detention center, according to a Los
Angeles Times check of the children’s situations.

Continue reading at Boston.com

GenerateHope recently had the opportunity and honor to meet with two different delegations from other countries who are working to combat trafficking in persons. These groups, arranged by the Department of State have included representatives from The Netherlands, China, Haiti, Tonga, New Zealand, Guatemala, Lagos, Trinidad and Tobago.

It has been interesting to see that around the globe different nations are fighting this same cause, running up against similar struggles, managing various levels of support and for the most part also just beginning to get programs up and running as is true for us here in San Diego. It has been exciting to share our program plans and see the international support for our approach and our work here. It has certainly been agreed by the participants in these groups that NGOs (non-government organizations) and faith based groups are by far the most active in making a difference and pushing for change.

SAN DIEGO – A teen describes her entry into local sex trafficking, and how she was able to turn her life around.

Watch now on 10news.com.