Defining the Industry
Today in our nation, thousands upon thousands of people are being sexually exploited and trafficked. To better understand the realities of what these survivors face, it’s important to first understand the language of the sex industry. Awareness is key in this fight, and the more people who awake to the truth, advocate for the freedom of survivors, and help spread the hope that exists in the midst of it all, the better!
To begin, we often talk about survivors exiting “the life” when they are rescued from their situations, but what exactly does that mean?
“The Life,” also called “The Game,” is the subculture of prostitution, complete with rules, a hierarchy of authority, and language.
Referring to the act of pimping as ‘the game’ gives the illusion that it can be a fun and easy way to make money, when the reality is much harsher. Women and girls will say they’ve been “in the life” if they’ve been involved in prostitution for a while.
Though we know the enemy has caused many who are exploited to believe the lie that what they are experiencing is “life” - as believers, Rescue America carries the hope of the cross into these dark places. As we serve survivors, we aim to continually spread this hope, unveiling their eyes and pointing to TRUE life - abundant life in Christ.
It’s important to understand that many women in “the life” are not there by their own will; rather, they are often being trafficked, under pimp control, mistreated, abused, threatened and much more.
It’s also pivotal to note that traffickers and pimps are really one in the same. “Pimp” is often the term used in the life, while “trafficker” is more often the official or legal term used.
Traffickers are people who exploit others for profit.
They can be from any demographic, individuals and groups, street gangs and organized crime, businesses or contractors.
Pimps control and financially benefit from the commercial sexual exploitation of another person.
The relationship can be abusive and possessive, with the pimp/trafficker using techniques such as psychological intimidation, manipulation, starvation, rape, beating, confinement, threats, forced drug use, and the shame from these acts to keep the sexually exploited person under control.
How does sex trafficking happen? Through the use of force, fraud and coercion.
The federal TVPA defines force as ”physical restraint or causing serious harm.”
This can include “kidnapping, battering, kicking, pushing, denial of food or water, denial of medical care, forced use of drugs or denial of drugs once a victim is addicted, forced to lie to friends and family about their whereabouts, being held in locked rooms or bound.”
Fraud is defined as “knowingly misrepresenting the truth or concealing an actual fact for the purpose of inducing another person to act to her/his detriment.”
This may include false job promises, being promised money that never gets paid, or lies about working conditions.
Coercion is defined as “threats or perceived threats of serious harm to or physical constraints against any person; a scheme intended to cause a person to believe that failure to perform will result in serious harm to or physical restraint against any person or family members.”
Who are the ones purchasing the sex trafficked and sexually exploited? Individuals who pay for or trade something of value for sexual acts are referred to as “Johns,” “Buyers,” or “Tricks.”
We continue to pray that the Lord will call these men out of the lies that have led them into these situations and bring them into the truth of who they are as image-bearers of God. We are so thankful to partner with organizations who come alongside the buyers and help to walk them through their healing journeys, knowing that these men are just as broken and in need of the hope of freedom.
Where does sex trafficking take place? Unfortunately, it’s happening in more places than you might think.
Common “Facilitators” (industries which may help to enable, support, or facilitate human trafficking) on which traffickers frequently rely include:
Hotels and Motels, Landlords, Labor brokers, Taxi and other driving services, Airlines, Bus, and rail companies, Advertisers (Websites like Craigslist.com, Phone books, Alternative newspapers) Banks and other financial services companies.
Other common places where trafficking occurs are known as “The Track,” “The Stroll,” or “The Blade.” These are areas of town known for prostitution activity.
This can be the area around a group of strip clubs and pornography stores, or a particular stretch of street.
Rescue America is blessed to partner with outreach organizations who directly engage with those walking on the streets, in places like The Track, distributing our hotline number to those who need it and letting them know there is a way out of their situations. Through this, we’ve seen many survivors come directly off the track by calling our hotline and later being brought to safe programs where they could begin their healing journeys. Praise God that new life is possible and we continue to see that!
Another dark reality victims of sex trafficking may face each night includes being forced by their traffickers to meet a quota.
A “Quota” is a set amount of money that a trafficking victim must make each night before she can come “home.”
Quotas are often set between $300 and $2000. If the victim returns without meeting the quota, she is typically beaten and sent back out on the street to earn the rest.
As we serve survivors and empower them to exit the life filled with realities like this, we partner with programs across the nation equipped to meet their specific needs. Those who exit through our hotline are offered a true home where they are safe and can finally begin to take steps towards healing.
While these terms are difficult and uncomfortable to learn, it’s important to remember there is light on the other side.
This is why Rescue America exists - to bring survivors out of these situations and into the hope of NEW life. This darkness may be a part of a survivor’s story, but the story doesn’t have to end there. We know that we will have victory because scripture tells us we will not be overcome by the world. We believe the Lord has a redemptive solution for every survivor who calls our hotline, and He uses people like you to carry it through - binding up the broken hearted and setting the captives free!
We encourage you to share this knowledge with the people in your life and educate them on these realities, and we want you to know that YOU can be part of the solution. Trafficking is happening all around us, but your support can make a monumental difference in the lives of survivors.
