Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Base Information On Trafficking
Here are some good reports to read for a solid background in human trafficking. We must understand the problem to generate solutions.
2009 State Dept Report
Sex Trafficking Of Women In TheUnited States
Forced Labor and Human Trafficking: Estimating the Profits
2009 State Dept Report
Sex Trafficking Of Women In TheUnited States
Forced Labor and Human Trafficking: Estimating the Profits
Friday, August 14, 2009
10,000 Women Victimized Every Year by Mexican Sex Traffickers
A new study just released by University of Nuevo Leon and funded by the National Science and Technology Council revealed that criminal rings in Mexico abduct or entrap approximately 10,000 women every year. These women are taken from the southern and central states of Mexico and sexually exploited in the northern states.
The study confirms what typically happens in these abductions, i.e. young ladies being lured in by the promise of work and income in the big city. Once in the big city their identification and resources are taken, they are locked away and brought "clients".
Once they realize they have been sold into prostitution in a brothel they attempt to leave and go home. At this time they are repeatedly gang raped for days on end until they have no will to fight back. They are then used by these pimps and traded among brothels so they can keep fresh girls for their "clients".
This is the third largest industry worldwide behind trafficking drugs and arms bringing in about $6 billion dollars per year. Women in eastern Europe have talked about being forced to take more than 50 "clients" per day and a dozen being a very slow day! Pause and let that soak in for a minute.
The study found that monterrey is one of the most frequented areas of sexual tourism, primarily due to it's proximity to the U.S. Additionally, almost 5,000 are trafficked to the U.S. every year.
Folks, we've got to break down these gates!
Read the article by the Latin American Herald Tribune
The study confirms what typically happens in these abductions, i.e. young ladies being lured in by the promise of work and income in the big city. Once in the big city their identification and resources are taken, they are locked away and brought "clients".
Once they realize they have been sold into prostitution in a brothel they attempt to leave and go home. At this time they are repeatedly gang raped for days on end until they have no will to fight back. They are then used by these pimps and traded among brothels so they can keep fresh girls for their "clients".
This is the third largest industry worldwide behind trafficking drugs and arms bringing in about $6 billion dollars per year. Women in eastern Europe have talked about being forced to take more than 50 "clients" per day and a dozen being a very slow day! Pause and let that soak in for a minute.
The study found that monterrey is one of the most frequented areas of sexual tourism, primarily due to it's proximity to the U.S. Additionally, almost 5,000 are trafficked to the U.S. every year.
Folks, we've got to break down these gates!
Read the article by the Latin American Herald Tribune
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Gates of Hell
There is a very common, well known scripture that says "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matt 16:18 (KJV) I want you to key in on the bold part, "the gates of hell shall not prevail".
For some reason (maybe the deception of the evil one) the Church has largely thought wrong about this verse. I, and many others, have understood it to mean that evil will not be able, ultimately, to prevail against the Church. Although this is true, it is not taught with this scripture. This says that "the gates of HELL shall not prevail". Are gates an offensive or defensive weapon? They are clearly defensive. So what this is saying is that the gates of hell will not be able to withstand the attack of the Church.
Reading through a few missionary biographies gives us a good picture of how those who have loved the Lord have gone boldly into the abode of the wicked and the gates of hell did not prevail. It takes bold action, led by God's Spirit, to defeat the evil in this world. My friends it is time to stop being content in our defensive posture and get on the offensive with the good news of Jesus Christ and start knocking down some gates.
Where is the abode of the wicked...look around and take your choice. Whether it's the watered down feel good gospel often preached in the U.S., the murder of millions of babies through abortion, or the trafficking of children into the sex trade industry, we have to get involved and boldly go to the gates with a battering ram!
For some reason (maybe the deception of the evil one) the Church has largely thought wrong about this verse. I, and many others, have understood it to mean that evil will not be able, ultimately, to prevail against the Church. Although this is true, it is not taught with this scripture. This says that "the gates of HELL shall not prevail". Are gates an offensive or defensive weapon? They are clearly defensive. So what this is saying is that the gates of hell will not be able to withstand the attack of the Church.
Reading through a few missionary biographies gives us a good picture of how those who have loved the Lord have gone boldly into the abode of the wicked and the gates of hell did not prevail. It takes bold action, led by God's Spirit, to defeat the evil in this world. My friends it is time to stop being content in our defensive posture and get on the offensive with the good news of Jesus Christ and start knocking down some gates.
Where is the abode of the wicked...look around and take your choice. Whether it's the watered down feel good gospel often preached in the U.S., the murder of millions of babies through abortion, or the trafficking of children into the sex trade industry, we have to get involved and boldly go to the gates with a battering ram!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) Compliance
One of the primary obstacles to stopping Human Trafficking activities is tracking violators cross international borders. The very nature of the "business" involves taking victims across borders where they are unfamiliar and unknown. In an effort to get these countries on the same page in persuing traffickers the TVPA (Trafficking Victims Protection Act) was formed.
The US Department of State explains it this way: "The United States’ Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), as amended, guides efforts to combat human trafficking. The most recent amendments to the TVPA were enacted in December 2008. The purpose of the law is to punish traffickers, protect victims, and prevent trafficking from occurring. Freeing victims from this form of modern-day slavery is the ultimate goal of this report—and of the U.S. Government’s anti-human trafficking policy."
This map show compliance with the TVPA
TIER 1: Countries whose governments fully comply with the (TVPA) minimum standards
TIER 2: Countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA’s minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards
TIER 2 WATCH LIST: Countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA’s minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards AND:a) The absolute number of victims of severe forms of trafficking is very significant or issignificantly increasing; orb) There is a failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons from the previous year; orc) The determination that a country is making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with minimum standards was based on commitments by the country to take additional future steps over the next year
TIER 3: Countries whose governments do not fully comply with the minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do so.
Also, here is a link to the Department of State's annual report on human trafficking: http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2009/index.htm.
The US Department of State explains it this way: "The United States’ Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), as amended, guides efforts to combat human trafficking. The most recent amendments to the TVPA were enacted in December 2008. The purpose of the law is to punish traffickers, protect victims, and prevent trafficking from occurring. Freeing victims from this form of modern-day slavery is the ultimate goal of this report—and of the U.S. Government’s anti-human trafficking policy."
This map show compliance with the TVPA
TIER 1: Countries whose governments fully comply with the (TVPA) minimum standards
TIER 2: Countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA’s minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards
TIER 2 WATCH LIST: Countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA’s minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards AND:a) The absolute number of victims of severe forms of trafficking is very significant or issignificantly increasing; orb) There is a failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons from the previous year; orc) The determination that a country is making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with minimum standards was based on commitments by the country to take additional future steps over the next year
TIER 3: Countries whose governments do not fully comply with the minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do so.
Also, here is a link to the Department of State's annual report on human trafficking: http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2009/index.htm.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
New Movie Release: Trade
Just got an update from World Vision, Australia about a new movie about to hit limited theaters this month. Here is the trailer with information on theaters and how to get involved: http://www.tradethemovie.com/#. The movie is based on a true story of a young girl that is abducted in Mexico City and sold into the sex trade industry. Her brother desperately searches for her with the help of a Texas cop (Kevin Kline).
I pray this wakes people up to the reality of human trafficking. One of the biggest obstacles in stopping these traffickers is their cross-border/international movements as well as corrupt governments, particularly in Latin America.
Watch the older movie, Man on Fire, with Denzel Washington and Trade when it comes out; get involved! And just for fun take the human trafficking quiz here: http://trans.worldvision.com.au/dtl/takeaction/quiz.aspx
I pray this wakes people up to the reality of human trafficking. One of the biggest obstacles in stopping these traffickers is their cross-border/international movements as well as corrupt governments, particularly in Latin America.
Watch the older movie, Man on Fire, with Denzel Washington and Trade when it comes out; get involved! And just for fun take the human trafficking quiz here: http://trans.worldvision.com.au/dtl/takeaction/quiz.aspx
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