Mother’s Day can be uniquely challenging for victims and survivors of sex trafficking and the sex trade.
Would a survivor be comfortable in your church?
10 Ways You Can Help End Sexual Exploitation
“What can I do?” We hear this question—in all of its nuances—a lot at REST—and we love this question.
When first learning about the problem of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation—that thousands of women, men, and children are being exploited right here in the United States every day, it can be paralyzing. It can feel hopeless. The problem can feel too big for any one person to make a difference.
But—as long as there are people who respond to hearing of pain and suffering with the desire (met with action) to make the world a better place—there is hope. As long as people are still asking the question, “What can I do?” or, “What can *I* do?”, we will respond with options.
What *is* sex trafficking?
There is no “fair trade” certification for porn.
There is no “fair trade” stamp for pornographic content—pornography consumers have no way of knowing if sexual acts they are viewing are consensual. There is no enforceable measure for “ethical production”. Even if it’s something that looks consensual or caring, there’s no guarantee that force, fraud, or coercion wasn’t involved. Whether it’s Pornhub, any of the other porn companies owned by MindGeek, or other companies that create, host, or purvey pornographic content—there is just simply no telling whether content features exclusively consensual acts—and was shared online with entirely unforced consent.