Made
in the USA by Alisa Jordheim
Child sex trafficking is a despicable practice. Yet, we often don’t realize is that this
activity happens right on our doorstep every day, on our streets, and in our
local businesses. Yes, child sex
trafficking is rampant in the good ole USA. Alisa, founder of the Justice Society and
advocate for these young children caught in the heinous web of violence and
abuse, has written a book that brings understanding and hope to those willing
to look into this awful practice. Her
book, Made in the USA chronicles the
practice of child sex trafficking, its victims, and the web of deceit that entangles
these young ones.
Alisa begins by identifying what the problem of
child sex trafficking is, what locations around the world are engaged in the
practice, and how this happens right here in America. Alison writes, “The average age for a girl
lured into sex trafficking is twelve to fourteen; for boys and transgender
youth it is younger, eleven to thirteen, and some cases involve pre-pubescent
children, toddlers, and babies. The
primary way these children are exploited is through street or Internet-based
prostitution, strip clubs, erotic entertainment, and pornography.” (15) Some have blamed our oversexualized culture
as the problem for this trafficking, which adds to the problem. Alison writes, “The United States is the
largest producer of pornography in the world. With 55 percent of all child
pornography coming from America, it is a $3 billion-plus annual industry. One
of every five pornographic images is of a child.” (16) The country with the largest amount of
freedoms is also the country with the largest amount of pornography.
In chapters 3 and 4, Alisa outlines the way the
Loverboy Syndrome and Familial Trafficking occurs. In the Loverboy syndrome, a pimp or someone
in the industry befriends a young child, getting to know them, listening, and
bringing them gifts. Pretty soon, they
win their trust and ask this young children to do favors for them, this in turn
leads to the path of destruction. In
familial trafficking, often the other family members are engaged in
prostitution and drugs, and sell their own children to feed their obsession or
to continue living. Both of these practices
destroy the hopes and dreams of these girls and boys. Not only are they sexually abused and many
times violently abused, they don’t have the opportunity to grown as a child in
school and in life.
The third part of the book starting in ch. 8 is
where Alisa calls people to make a difference for change in the lives of these
children. The beauty of ch.8 is that
these are normal people, Girl Scouts to Moms and Pediatricians who desire to
raise money, awareness, and support to help stop the child sex trafficking
trade. One lady, noticing that internet companies
were selling sexually graphic dolls to fufill those wishing to lure in young
children put up notice on Facebook and other avenues of social media. After calling these companies out, the
products were removed from the shelves.
Little by little, people can make a difference.
Alisa does a great job in the further chapters
in helping people identify those caught in this sinful activity. With great research, a heart for these little
ones, this book is painful to read but also gives glimmers of hope to those
desiring change.
Thanks to Higher Life Publishing and Speak Easy
for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Comments
Post a Comment