You Are Not Forgotten

A few days ago I had the opportunity to meet Ked Frank who is the founder of Refuge For Women in Kentucky.  Refuge for Women is a faith based after care home for women coming out of the sex industry.  Ked shared his story of getting the first home ready for the girls they would be ministering to.  Thinking that the girls they would be helping were coming from rough backgrounds and that they would need to protect themselves from whomever might come looking for them, they installed cameras and security systems on the property.  Sadly, he said this proved unnecessary as no one came to look for any of the girls.  They were forgotten.  Replaced by the next girl.  This is just heart breaking to me.  These girls need to know how valued you they are.  Not because they can bring in money for someone who doesn’t appreciate them, but because there is a God who loves them dearly and who considers them irreplaceable.

 

 

Dear Precious One,

 

I want you to know that you are a treasured child of the Most High God.  In His eyes you are cherished.  He considers you precious – worth more than rubies or gold.  He loves you more than you could ever imagine.  I want you to know that you are not forgotten.  He sees your tears.  He knows your pain. He longs to wrap his loving arms around you and heal your hurting heart.  He will never leave you or forsake you.  You are so important to God that he has engraved you on the palm of his hand. 

 

God is the creator of the Heavens and the Earth.  He placed the sun and the stars.  He holds the whole world in His hands.  And he just adores you.

 

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.  (Isaiah 49:16)

Local Event: CSEC Training May 10th

COMMERCIAL
SEXUAL
EXPLOITAT ION
OF CH I L DREN



Victims of human trafficking may look like many of the people you see everyday.  Would you be able to recognize them if you came in contact with one?  Would you know what signs to look for?   Would you know what questions to ask or who to call?  This seminar will prepare you to recognize the commercial exploitation of children, identify the risk factors and much more. 

TRAINING SEMINAR

PRESENTED BY
The Salvation Army PROMISE Program

HOSTED BY
Willow Creek Community Church – Crystal Lake, IL

5 CEU CREDITS — a $500.00 value – for LPCs, LCPCs, LSWs, and LCSWs

THE TRAINING SEMINAR WILL PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH THE SKILLS TO: Recognize the commercial sexual exploitation of children, detect risk factors, identify and effectively engage victims, and build skills necessary to serve youths affected by human trafficking.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Individuals from Social Services Agencies; Law Enforcement Personnel; Medical & Mental Health Workers; Airline Personnel; Teachers; Counselors; Youth and Recreational Agency Staff; Individuals from Religious Institutions and other fields who are in positions to serve youths; and all other interested persons.

PRESENTERS: The Director of The Salvation Army PROMISE program & Founder of ANNE'S HOUSE and Detective Al Krok

LOCATION: Willow Creek Community Church – Crystal Lake
220 Exchange Drive, Suite A, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

DATE: Saturday, May 10, 2014

TIME: Check-In and Light Breakfast: 7:45 a.m.–8:15 a.m.     
          Program: 8:15 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.

COST: $30.00 includes Light Breakfast & Lunch.
              
REGISTER: Here

SPACE IS LIMITED! Please register by May 3, 2014. 


AGENDA:

7:45 – 8:15     Check In & Light Breakfast

8:15 - 8:20      Welcome & Introductions

                          8:20 - 9:35     Module 1 What is Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

9:35 -9:45        Break

9:45 –10:45     Module 2 Pathways & Precursors to CSEC

10:45 – 11:45   Module 3 Understanding the Impact

11:45 -12:15    Lunch

12:15 - 12:45   Module 4 Victim Identification and Engagement

12:45 - 1:30     Investigating CSEC Cases

1:30 – 2:00      Q & A and Closing Remarks

 

Local Events: Saturday February 8th With Key Note Speaker Laila Mickelwait From Exodus Cry

February 8th:  HT Quarterly Forum at 7pm at
Willow Creek 220 Exchange Drive, Crystal Lake in Room 107 

Join us as we here from Laila Mickelwait of Exodus Cry - an organization based in Kansas City and built on a foundation of prayer.  They are committed to abolishing sex slavery through Christ-centered prevention, intervention, and holistic restoration of trafficking victims.  Exodus Cry is also the producer of the award winning documentary Nefarious.

Register Here

February 8th at 7:30am to 10:30am -  Patriots United Breakfast at D'Andrea Banquets

This years focus is on Human Trafficking Awareness - specifically in McHenry, Lake and Kane counties.  Key note speaker is Laila Mickelwait from Exodus Cry.  Panel discussion to include Laila Mikelwait, State Senator Karen MacCannaughy and College Student Activist Ben Anderson.  You won't want to miss this important event.  

Cost is $25 per person before Feb 5th

D'Andrea Banquets - 4419 Route 14, Crystal Lake, IL

Register Here

The Super Bowl and Human Trafficking

The Super Bowl and Human Trafficking

It's Super Bowl day once again and there is excitement in the air.  People are planning their parties and deciding which team they will be rooting for.   But what you may not know is how the Super Bowl can have an affect human trafficking. 

Large sporting events like the Super Bowl draw people from all over.  Most of these people have significant amounts of money they are willing to spend.  Traffickers follow money, which makes these events prime targets for sex trafficking.   I posted this last year, but it's worth repeating.  Here's a look at the Super Bowl from two very different perspectives. 

 

Super Bowl Player               vs.                    Trafficking victim

Excited                                                        Scared

Cheers from fans                                         Threats from her controller

Sense of pride                                             Sense of shame

Proud to put on his uniform                        Disgusted to put on her “uniform”

Keeps what he earns                                   Earnings taken by her pimp

Admired                                                      Disgraced

Relives the glory                                         Relives the horror

I realize that there is some debate about whether there really is an increase in demand and an increase in trafficking. Critics will ask the question, “How do you know?”  Sex trafficking doesn’t come with many statistics because it is a hidden crime.  Just because they are not being caught, doesn't mean that it doesn’t exist.  Girls that are being controlled by a pimp often don’t seek help because they’ve been threatened by the pimp and convinced that they will be arrested for prostitution. So while debate swirls, I believe that if the heightened awareness deters even one trafficker or saves just one girl then the efforts are worth it.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott called the Super Bowl “the single largest human trafficking incident in the United States.”

Just this week, Police busted a High-end prostitution and drug ring allegedly banking on Super Bowl week to deliver "party packs" of cocaine and prostitutes.  18 operators have been charged with drug and sex trafficking.

Here  a former sex trafficking victim shines light on dark underworld of Super Bowl

So as you prepare to watch the big game, remember those who have a much different perspective. Those who may be there by force and are having to sell their bodies. Pray for them. Pray for their rescue and restoration.

 

Each year, the Protected Innocence Challenge does a comprehensive study of existing state laws designed to inspire and equip advocates. Every every state receives a Report Card that grades the state on 41 key legislative components that must be addressed in a state’s laws in order to effectively respond to the crime of domestic minor sex trafficking. Washington received an A while Colorado received a D.  To see how your state did go Here