10 June 2010
Before the World Cup, South Africa is Already Winning
Top leaders in South Africa's travel and tourism industry signed the Tourism Child Protection Code of Conduct - calling for zero tolerance of child exploitation.
JOHANNESBURG, 9 June 2010 - UNICEF applauded the South African tourism and hospitality industry for its significant commitment to put an end to child sex tourism. The Tourism Child Protection Code of Conduct is aimed at protecting children and to leaving an enduring legacy of good practice beyond the World Cup, which starts Friday 11 June.
"The contribution of the travel and tourism industry is [vital] to help stamp out child sexual exploitation. When it comes to the sexual exploitation of children, there can be no innocent bystanders. ... Effective child protection is only possible when all sectors of society were mobilised. Together, we must demonstrate [zero] tolerance of child exploitation and make South Africa a tourist destination that is safe for children." - Aida Germa, UNICEF Representative
Fourteen leading organisations in the South African travel, hotel and tourism industry have signified that they are behind the Code. They include AVIS, Hertz, Budget and Europcar; Sun International, Radisson, Protea Hotels and Tourvest. These companies have become signatories to The Code to help ensure that tourism facilities do not become havens for crimes against children.
Yesterday’s signing is also linked to a wider UNICEF-led national communication campaign ‘Let's Give a Red Card to Child Exploitation’ aimed at protecting children during the World Cup and beyond. Tens of thousands of visitors will find Red Card child protection information and referral numbers in their hotel rooms, rental cars and tour package dockets.To date, nearly 1,000 companies in 35 countries have signed The Code. Tourism businesses that choose to sign The Code commit themselves to implement the following measures on an ongoing basis:
Establish an ethical corporate policy regarding sexual exploitation of children.Train personnel in the country of origin and in destinations.Introduce clauses in contracts with suppliers, stating a common repudiation of sexual exploitation of children.Provide information to travellers (e.g. brochures, posters, in-flight videos, ticket slips, home pages, etc).Provide information to local "key persons" at tourism destinations.Report annually.
SOURCE:
09 June 2010
Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, DNA
Celebrities Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore aren't afraid to use their fame to make a difference. The Twitter enthusiast called out sex traffickers and the johns that support underage prostitution at the premiere of Killers in Hollywood last night, hopefully giving pause to any red carpet gawkers who thought Demi Moore’s boytoy was totally into sex slaves. There’s no reason for desperate men to resort to horrifying criminal activity to meet attractive women, anyway—they can always go on one of Ashton’s reality shows!
Its My Life, LIVE WITH IT Presents: Shelley Lubben, Pink Cross Foundation
Shelley is also a former porn actress fighting tirelessly against the pornography industry which affects most of the world in a destructive way. Unrelenting in the cause of human rights, Shelley is passionate to educate people all around the world about the abusive and illegally operating porn industry as well as inspire the world to stop viewing pornography and stop contributing to the destruction of men and women who are being abused daily in the pornography industry.
Shelley's message: PORN IS NOT GLAMOROUS.
Because of the huge epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases, drugs and prostitution, and abuse toward adult industry workers with lack of help available, Shelley and her husband Garrett founded the Pink Cross Foundation, a nonprofit public benefit corporation created to reach out to adult industry workers offering emotional, financial and transitional support for those who want out of porn and the sex industry.
Shelley has been working with adult industry workers since 2002 when she began volunteering as a teacher and counselor at local rescue missions and prisons in the State of California. She has worked at Madera Rescue Mission, Bakersfield Rescue Mission, Central California Women's Facility Prison, and Valley State Prison for Women and has traveled throughout the United States as a speaker and counselor on the negative effects of pornography at various recovery programs, churches and secular organizations. Shelley and her team have worked with thousands of people struggling with pornography addiction in the Pink Cross Foundation Help Forums as well as reach out to thousands of porn stars and sex workers through outreach and individualized care packages.
A former stripper, prostitute and pornographic actress in the 80's and 90's, Shelley suffered major negative effects of the pornography industry and was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Impulse Control Disorder and substance abuse due to years of trauma from the sex industry.
In 1994, she was infected with the non-curable disease Genital Herpes while making a pornographic film and later developed early cervical cancer. Shelley had three unexpected pregnancies from prostitution acts, two ending in miscarriages. Later, with her husband, she had an Entopic pregnancy and a third miscarriage. FOUR total pregnancy losses. Shelley understands very well how destructive the pornography industry is.
After finding God through Christianity and enduring eight hard years of recovery at the Champion's Center in Tacoma, Washington, Shelley was able to live a normal healthy Champion life.
Shelley received her Bachelor's of Theology degree at Vision International University in California on December 7, 2009 and is an ordained Chaplain with the Order of Saint Martin.
Shelley has attended Pierce College in Tacoma Washington for her general academics, Wisdom For Life Leadership School in Tacoma Washington and Harvestime International Bible College where she received a Christian Workers Certificate in Biblical Studies in 2003. Shelley majors in Theology and minors in Creative Writing.
Shelley is also the executive director of Pink Cross Foundation, a non-profit organization that reaches out to porn stars and sex workers to help them rebuild their lives as well as helping those who struggle with porn addiction.
Shelley enjoys raising her daughters, cooking, reading about great Reformers, sharing the good news and inspiring people to never give up and is extremely involved in missionary and social work.
Shelley speaks knowledgeably on such topics as the secondary negative effects of prostitution and pornography, the truth behind the porn industry, legislation concerning adult entertainment, how to overcome pornography addiction, the risks and effects of sex work, sex education and other subjects to include Theology, Christianity,and more.
Shelley Lubben is an experienced media guest and has appeared on various radio and TV shows, including: Dr. Phil, MTV, VH1, the 700 Club, Daystar and more. She is a captivating speaker who can provide a PG or R rated version of her story, depending on your audience. She has spoken for both secular and Christian venues.
To learn more about Shelley please visit her personal web site at www.shelleylubben.com or watch videos of Shelley speaking on the videos page.
SOURCE:
http://www.thepinkcross.org/page/meet-our-executive-director
Shelley's message: PORN IS NOT GLAMOROUS.
Because of the huge epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases, drugs and prostitution, and abuse toward adult industry workers with lack of help available, Shelley and her husband Garrett founded the Pink Cross Foundation, a nonprofit public benefit corporation created to reach out to adult industry workers offering emotional, financial and transitional support for those who want out of porn and the sex industry.
Shelley has been working with adult industry workers since 2002 when she began volunteering as a teacher and counselor at local rescue missions and prisons in the State of California. She has worked at Madera Rescue Mission, Bakersfield Rescue Mission, Central California Women's Facility Prison, and Valley State Prison for Women and has traveled throughout the United States as a speaker and counselor on the negative effects of pornography at various recovery programs, churches and secular organizations. Shelley and her team have worked with thousands of people struggling with pornography addiction in the Pink Cross Foundation Help Forums as well as reach out to thousands of porn stars and sex workers through outreach and individualized care packages.
A former stripper, prostitute and pornographic actress in the 80's and 90's, Shelley suffered major negative effects of the pornography industry and was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Impulse Control Disorder and substance abuse due to years of trauma from the sex industry.
In 1994, she was infected with the non-curable disease Genital Herpes while making a pornographic film and later developed early cervical cancer. Shelley had three unexpected pregnancies from prostitution acts, two ending in miscarriages. Later, with her husband, she had an Entopic pregnancy and a third miscarriage. FOUR total pregnancy losses. Shelley understands very well how destructive the pornography industry is.
After finding God through Christianity and enduring eight hard years of recovery at the Champion's Center in Tacoma, Washington, Shelley was able to live a normal healthy Champion life.
Shelley received her Bachelor's of Theology degree at Vision International University in California on December 7, 2009 and is an ordained Chaplain with the Order of Saint Martin.
Shelley has attended Pierce College in Tacoma Washington for her general academics, Wisdom For Life Leadership School in Tacoma Washington and Harvestime International Bible College where she received a Christian Workers Certificate in Biblical Studies in 2003. Shelley majors in Theology and minors in Creative Writing.
Shelley is also the executive director of Pink Cross Foundation, a non-profit organization that reaches out to porn stars and sex workers to help them rebuild their lives as well as helping those who struggle with porn addiction.
Shelley enjoys raising her daughters, cooking, reading about great Reformers, sharing the good news and inspiring people to never give up and is extremely involved in missionary and social work.
Shelley speaks knowledgeably on such topics as the secondary negative effects of prostitution and pornography, the truth behind the porn industry, legislation concerning adult entertainment, how to overcome pornography addiction, the risks and effects of sex work, sex education and other subjects to include Theology, Christianity,and more.
Shelley Lubben is an experienced media guest and has appeared on various radio and TV shows, including: Dr. Phil, MTV, VH1, the 700 Club, Daystar and more. She is a captivating speaker who can provide a PG or R rated version of her story, depending on your audience. She has spoken for both secular and Christian venues.
To learn more about Shelley please visit her personal web site at www.shelleylubben.com or watch videos of Shelley speaking on the videos page.
SOURCE:
http://www.thepinkcross.org/page/meet-our-executive-director
08 June 2010
A World of Macho Demands
It is believed that the process of international sex trafficking begins and ends with the demand for women and children. Pimps need women and girls so they go to a person that can provide them. This theory is popular with traffickers around the globe where they are know to take advantage of poverty stricken areas, unemployment and a desire for better opportunities - this is also a domestic issue.
I. A Joint Effort
"The crucial factor in determining where trafficking will occur is the presence and activity of traffickers, pimps and collaborating officials running criminal operations ... Corruption of government officials and police is necessary for trafficking and exploitation of large amounts of women and children ... Prostitution operations depend on attracting men. Pimps and brothel owners have to advertise to men that women and children are available for commercial sex acts. Officials have to ignore this blatant advertising."
II. The Who's Who of Demand
There are four parts of the demand cycle. the men that buy commercial sex, the exploiters who make up the sex industry, the states that are destination countries for victims, and the culture that promotes or tolerates sexual exploitation of men women and children.
Men, known for purchasing sex acts to meet their emotional needs (not physical needs) say that even though they purchase sex over and over they feel unsatisfied. Often times these men will have little respect for women. They want the kind of control in a sexual encounter that does not require them to be nice or polite. They can humiliate, degrade and hurt the woman or child, if they want.
The exploiters include traffickers, pimps, business owners of commercial sex establishments (strip clubs, brothels, massage parlors etc ...) and corrupt officials all make money selling sex as a commodity. Although domestic sex traffickers and organized crime groups have received the most publicity, if they were all locked up this would still be a big problem.
In every state, the wealthy have control over how prostitution and trafficking is handled. With that said, its easy for poorer and less powerful countries to be influenced by corrupt officials and or organized crime groups. In the United States government officials are now in the process of admitting responsibility for the problem of sex trafficking, but without opposing the exploitation of women in prostitution to only opposing the worst violence and crime. Internationally, prostitution has been raised to sex work, allowing women and children to be smuggled across borders. This only leads to the recommendation to legalize prostitution to solve the problem; which then leads to a conversation about the tax revenue that the government would gain.
Also, when the prostitution business is booming, government officials become jealous of the criminal's cash flow, thinking they aren't getting their share.
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| Stormy Daniels, former porn actress running in Louisiana Senate election |
Finally, the culture, or mass media, plays the biggest role of all in normalizing prostitution by painting a picture of glamor and a way to make a lot of fast cash. Girls and even women see themselves becoming independent, liberated and empowered.
"In the battle against a worldwide sex trade, the voice of moral authority that condemns all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse is being lost." - Donna Hughes, Professor
To learn how to fight the demand of sexual exploitation follow my new series of posts to know how to take the first step. In the meantime, check out for yourself how the demand cycle works in the video clip below. It includes an overseas venue for rich foreigners, a wealthy and violent pimp, and also an expensive house party for a young American male. It reveals how normal this truly is.
Be warned: this video clip also includes rape and some profanity. Please watch it at your own discretion.
Be warned: this video clip also includes rape and some profanity. Please watch it at your own discretion.
SOURCE:
07 June 2010
05 June 2010
HOW 2 Fight Demand
Everyday Actions
A few months ago on Facebook I was asked some questions about an article from the Chicago Tribune's Mary Schmich. The article was about sex trafficking in America and it included quotes about targeting the "demand side" of the crime. I thought the article was very interesting but the comment I received later caught my attention even more. It goes as follows:
"I read about stopping HT yet, I am flummoxed on the practical application. For instance, in the Mary Schmich article I read, ""You have to make it very expensive and unhappy for the customer," she said. "We've got to punish men who are buying sex from children. We have to stop normalizing it."
"That means going after the customer and making it clear that here in Chicago we're not going to put up with this."
How does one "go after" the customer? How does one actively "make it expensive" - fines and prison time?
My only problem with it was I didn't have an answer. After asking around I realized just how uncommon this answer really is.
So today I'm starting a series about how a normal citizen like yourself can fight the demand of sex trafficking. Before I get started I want to recognize The Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation. Their website provided material for this series and they are also an example for any organization to follow or join in the fight against sexual exploitation, to include sex trafficking.
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| Underage teen prostitute |
1.Ok, the first thing a person can do is understand the role that the demand for commercial sex plays in prostitution. Be vigilant about refocusing conversations about prostitution away from blaming the woman to holding the people purchasing sex accountable for their actions. Challenge people in your friendship circle to stop patronizing sex trade venues. Highlight how practices that have become socially acceptable, such as hiring women to strip at bachelor parties or going to strip clubs, can be harmful and serve to normalize the exploitation aspects of the sex trade.
This step takes us out of our comfort zones the first day. Most of the time when we think of how we can take a stand against sex traffick, we think of someone else and not our friends. But this proves that everyone is in a position to take action. I encourage you to take the first step and watch how people realize you took a stand when they didn't. I think a lot of us are going to be surprised at the results!
"If there were no customers, there would be no prostitution."
02 June 2010
01 June 2010
Pretty, Sharp, Girl Next Door Forced into Prostitution after Graduation
A young lady describes how after meeting a man on the internet, he lured her into turning tricks on the streets of Hawaii.
19-year old "Robyn", whose voice is altered and her face hidden to protect her identity, tells Hawaii news what was supposed to be a friendly encounter, quickly landed her in a life of forced prostitution.
"I was raised in a good family, I went to church, I went to school, graduated high school with honors, and had five scholarships to any school I wanted to go to" said "Robyn".
Because of stories like Robyn's, Hawaii is in the process of creating a new law, Senate Bill 2045, which would bring new and specific charges for pimps like the man described by Robyn. It would also allow for a witness protection program.
31 May 2010
30 May 2010
28 May 2010
HOW TO: Children at Risk of Internet Predators
In today's world of obsessions and high pressure demands, the demands of an online sex predator have never been more apparent. In my final "HOW TO", post my goal is to wrap up a series about how to fight online predators. If you've missed out on previous posts, be sure to follow the series in the sidebar for more information on how you and your family can fight online predators.
The first rule of engagement here states that regardless of the situation, any adult involved in any sort of sexual relationship with a child is entirely at fault and takes full responsibility for their actions. But I believe that we can do a better job of guiding our children away from these dangers, and do it without the typical paranoid behavior we all saw after 9-11. With that said, today's topic is going to make you aware of children that are the most vulnerable and walk you through exactly how a predator and even another teen can take advantage of a child in this situation; because not all predators are pedophiles.
The first rule of engagement here states that regardless of the situation, any adult involved in any sort of sexual relationship with a child is entirely at fault and takes full responsibility for their actions. But I believe that we can do a better job of guiding our children away from these dangers, and do it without the typical paranoid behavior we all saw after 9-11. With that said, today's topic is going to make you aware of children that are the most vulnerable and walk you through exactly how a predator and even another teen can take advantage of a child in this situation; because not all predators are pedophiles.
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