Human Trafficking

 

Human Trafficking by Melanie Cholish:

My father trafficked me from the ages of about 5 or 6 until I was a teenager. Knowing this, I can say, I was never once tied up in a dark place or beaten by my trafficker. Although some victims may be mistreated in such ways, not all are. It's important for people to educate themselves on what trafficking can really look like, for if we expect it to be only one way, we will miss the countless other ways that it is.

In my case, many, many times I walked into an amusement parks dressing room at places like Hershey Park, Disneyland, etc. with my father, and was told to wait in the stall. A few mins later another man came in acting like he was looking for his daughter--and that easily a "drop" was made. Out I would walk holding his hand--nothing anyone would think twice about.

Usually I'd be given something like an ice cream cone or a carnival doll as my payment, my reward, for cooperating while my father pocketed the price of a child's innocence.

Children who are trafficked are often not treated "badly"-- yes they're treated awfully and violated beyond words, but they're are not hit, tied up, beat up. Most of the time, they're treated with fake kindness. (which really twists children's ability to trust later on in life). But they're often praised, given treats, and made to feel like what is happening is a good and normal; they are told that they're special.

I was taken on many "vacations" where I was left for a minute at the pool, until a man came and I left with him for a while. I was picked up at airports where I was passed over to a man in the crowd--looking like any girl going from her dad to an uncle. Again, this was a very public drop, and nothing appeared to be suspicious.

Most children trafficked in the US are so conditioned, they don't know anything else. Being a living sacrifice to the god of lust is their normal. I think back as an adult and wonder, "Why didn't I scream out for help? Why didn't I make a scene?" With adulthood came understanding of my inner child; she had no reason to scream out for help. She wasn't in danger, this was just her normal life.

It's really important we bring attention to child trafficking in the US--VERY important. We must get conversations going and we need to educate people that human trafficking can look very normal, very ordinary to the casual observer. I lived in a tiny town. My father was a little league coach. My mother knew and helped with my victimization; and she was just a stay at home, small town mom. These things happen everywhere and can look very normal.

How can we get to the bottom of this evil? The best thing we can do is talk to children, we don't need to be graphic; but teachers, schools, pastors, caring people need to talk to children about things like this in a child safe way. Assume these children aren't being taken to doctors.

Teachers can make a huge difference when they talk to children in their classrooms. They must "go with their gut." They can't be afraid to act on what they feel. Conrad Wesier Elementary School had a social worker who pulled me out of class on more than one occasion after teachers noticed "things" and it went no where. Social services were never notified. And they should have been. Their lack of boldness kept me trapped within the evil web my parents had me in.

You must watch. Pay attention. Be mindful. If you're waiting in line at a park, notice who goes in and out with what child. If you see something; speak up. If you're wrong, fine. You've ruined someone's day--apologize; but if you're right, you've saved a child's life from another day of living hell.