In case you aren’t aware, according to UNICEFF 1.2 million children are trafficked each year. Human trafficking is the world’s fastest growing crime! Don’t think it just happens elsewhere, human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states. In a 2014 report, the Urban Institute estimated that the underground sex economy ranged from $39.9 million in Denver, Colorado, to $290 million in Atlanta, Georgia. It is everywhere, especially in major travel hubs. We all need to do our part to stop the atrocity.

About CAGED NO MORE

Inspired by real events, CAGED NO MORE is the story of Aggie Prejean, a grandmother on a desperate search to find her two granddaughters, Skye and Elle, who have been kidnapped by their sinister father. As the details behind the girls’ disappearance begin to unravel, it’s discovered he has taken them overseas to be sold into slavery to settle his drug debt. Aggie enlists the help of the girls’ uncle, a well-respected local philanthropist, and his son Wil, who is former Special Forces. A global hunt ensues, and the team will stop at nothing to see the girls safely returned home. CAGED NO MORE is a drama meant to engage and educate audiences on the realities of human trafficking.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

I have not been blown away by a movie since I saw War Room over a year ago. CAGED NO MORE had me on the edge of my couch for the entire movie. The script is well written and the movie is well cast. Loretta Devine is amazing as Aggie, we all need someone who loves us as much as she does for her family. Alan Powell does a wonderful job showing both the strong and caring sides of Wil.

I’m aware that human trafficking is a very difficult subject, but it is an important one. I hope you will buy the Caged No More (DVD) and share it with your teens, small groups and Sunday school classes. If you visit the CAGED NO MORE website there is a downloadable 4 week Bible study available for free. This movie is PG-13 and I agree with the rating, this movie is too intense, and the subject matter is too mature for kids younger than 13 to view.

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I was made aware of the human trafficking problems in the United States a few years ago when our local Christian Radio Station partnered with Natalie Grant and what was then Abolition International to raise money for the victims of this horrible crime. In 2013 I volunteered at the Team Freedom Pasta Party and cheered on the runners who participated in a half-marathon. In 2014, I again volunteered but I also raised my own support and ran in the 5k. This year I am not running, but I am planning to volunteer for this worthy cause.

In case you are having trouble wrapping your head around the fact that human trafficking is an issue here in the United States, here are some statistics from the film.

• 80% of sex trafficking victims are women and girls and up to 50% are minors. (U.S. State Department)
• 90% of prostituted women have been physically abused as children (Encyclopedia of Women and Gender)
• 70% of sex trafficking is linked to organized crime (Real Stories: Legal Efforts to Curb Sex Trafficking)
• 75% of prostituted women have attempted suicide (Prostitution: Factsheet on Human Rights Violations)
• 12-14 is the average age for girls trafficked into prostitution in the United States.
• Working nearly seven days a week, four women meeting a daily quota of $500 per night would earn their pimp an estimated $632,000 according to the research of the Polaris Project.
• The youngest child rescued to date by Hope for Justice was 1 year old.

12-14 is the average age for girls trafficked into prostitution in the United States.
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If those facts don’t break your heart, I doubt that you have one.

About In Plain Sight

Executive Produced and Narrated by Natalie Grant, In Plain Sight: Stories of Hope and Freedom features six modern-day abolitionists as they fight sex trafficking across America. Premieres are scheduled around the nation in during January 2015. Journeying to six US cities, the documentary opens the viewer’s eyes to what’s happening down the street “in plain sight”. Through engaging interviews with numerous victims of sex trafficking, the force, coercion, and deception of the children and women becomes apparent. In the midst of the darkness, stories of hope and freedom emerge as each survivor shares how she was impacted through the work of a sex trafficking aftercare home.

“Most Americans are completely oblivious to the fact that thousands of women and children are enslaved within their own communities,” said David Trotter, co-executive producer. “This isn’t limited to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and New York. We’re talking about cities across America – from Sacramento to Little Rock to Baltimore – where the unthinkable is happening.”

“The reality is that children are being ravaged day in and day out. If you have a heart beating on the inside of you, I don’t understand how this couldn’t be important to you,” said Natalie Grant, narrator and co-executive producer.

With a focus on educating the American public and motivating people to take action, the campaign centers around three resources to be released by Word Entertainment. The DVD, music album, and 31 Day Devotional & Group Study Guide are available in stores nationwide.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts

In Plain Sight is a well made documentary focused on six female abolitionists who have answered the call to step out into a messy world and fight against sex trafficking here in the United States. I enjoyed hearing the vastly different stories of how God called these women to get involved in this fight and what their obedience has done to bless women and children who are victims to this crime. I was encouraged to hear from law enforcement and how their perspective has changed and how they are now seeing these women as victims-slaves instead of criminals. I was blessed to hear the personal stories of the survivors who shared what they have lived through and how God, with the help of these abolitionists, has transformed their lives and given them hope and a purpose to go on living.

I will continue doing what I can to help spread awareness and support agencies like Hope for Justice who are on the front lines every day. What will you do? Here are 31 ways You Can Take Action.

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Team Freedom is a group of 200 runners, each running at least one of the races during the Gasparilla Distance Classic Weekend. There is a 5k, an 8k, 15k and a half marathon during the weekend. Team Freedom has come together as part of an outreach through The Joy FM as a fundraiser for Abolition International.

Abolition International is an organization that fights sex trafficking and exploitation.. There are 21 million slaves in the world today. Sex trafficking is estimated to be a 35 BILLION dollar industry. Abolition International educates professionals and communities about the plight of human trafficking. They empower people to help end modern-day slavery and they invest in comprehensive care of those rescued from slavery.

We are running for those who aren’t free to run…yet. To be a part of Team Freedom, I need to raise at least $400 for Abolition International before January 31, 2014! This is where I need YOUR help. If my readers each gave something I could more than meet my goal and you can all run with me, in spirit. I will be making strips to hang off my race belt with the names of everyone who donates at least $20 to my fundraising efforts! To donate, just click on my TEAM FREEDOM link to give securely. Thank-you so much for your support. Please share this post with your friends and family so they can join my team too.

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The Demi and Ashton Foundation (DNA), which aims to raise awareness about the harsh reality of child sex slavery, launched its “Real Men Don’t Buy Girls” interactive video campaign this week. The goal of the campaign is to educate people about child sex slavery in the United States and to create a cultural shift around the buying and selling of humans. The message of the campaign is that “Real Men” don’t buy girls. Instead, “Real Men” do respect, love, care for, and protect girls.

DNA released several short interactive videos about things “Real Men” do – starring Justin Timberlake, Sean Penn, Bradley Cooper, Jamie Foxx, Jason Mraz, Ashton Kutcher, Drake, Adrian Peterson and Isaiah Mustafa. The videos seek to entertain viewers through fun, engaging “Real Men” situations while also providing an interactive environment for consumers to support the campaign. Additional supporters include Eva Longoria, Sofia Vergara and many more.

YOU will play a critical role in spreading the word about the campaign by creating your own personalized video (it just takes a few seconds) and sharing it with friends via social media.

“Child sex slavery is a difficult issue to think about, which makes it all the more important that we do,” remarked Ashton Kutcher. “Real Men do not ever buy children for sex. Period.”

Added Demi Moore: “People don’t realize child sex slavery is a serious problem in the United States. Young girls are victimized in the commercial sex industry every day. No 13-year-old girl chooses to be exploited for sex. Real Men love, care, and protect girls. Real Men don’t buy girls.”

A second component to the campaign is the “DNA T-shirt Challenge.” DNA has partnered with Threadless, a community-based design company, and retailer Steven Alan to create t-shirts around the concept of freedom – www.causes.threadless.com/dnafoundation. More than 200 artists submitted designs and 60,000 votes were cast to determine the winners. The two tees selected will be sold at Threadless.com and Stevenalan.com, as well as in all Steven Alan stores, with a percentage of proceeds going to DNA (available April 15). The design challenge will culminate with a launch party at Steven Alan’s Tribeca store in April – where the two designs selected will be unveiled and the “Real Men” videos shown.

Current Trafficking Statistics:

• The average age of entry into forced prostitution in the U.S. is thirteen
• Ninety percent of youth trafficked for sexual purposes in the U.S. are citizens of our own country
• Hundreds of thousands of American girls and boys are currently enslaved in the U.S.
• An estimated one million children are forced to work in the global sex industry every year
• The global sex slavery market generates a $39 billion profit annually
• Selling young girls is more profitable than trafficking drugs or weapons

About The DNA Foundation: The Demi and Ashton Foundation aims to eliminate child sex slavery worldwide. Believing that freedom is a fundamental human right, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher founded DNA to help raise awareness about this horrific problem, change cultural stereotypes and rehabilitate the innocent victims. More information can be found at www.demiandashton.org.

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