EDUCATION PROGRAM ON LOCAL TRAFFICKING
The social disease of human trafficking is a very difficult subject for mothers to think about, let alone come to a gathering where this subject is the central topic of discussion. Very few mothers want to know about the prostitution of women and children, or that forced labor exists in the neighborhoods of America. That is, unless they have been touched by it or someone they love has been subjected to it, or there is a calling from their higher minds to find out about it. Twenty such women gathered Saturday, March 10 in Las Vegas, at a WFWP meeting to learn about local human trafficking, and to listen to another mother, Joanna Anderson, who at one time as a college student found herself in the streets of Las Vegas.
Pamela Stein, newly appointed WFWP Las Vegas chairwoman, opened the meeting with introductions around the room and then gave a short explanation of WFWP’s core motto, “Living by the Logic of Love.” “The ‘logic of love,’” Pam explained, “is very simple: Live for the sake of others; live so that the best in others will be revealed; live so that others will benefit from knowing you. The intrinsic desire to nurture and care for the well-being and safety of others is part of feminine divinity, and what is unique in women is the divine impulse to love all children – even the children of strangers, even the children of our historical enemies.”
Pam then introduced Joanna, who is a native of Las Vegas, saying that, although today Joanna leads the disciplined life of a working single mother, her life was not always so peaceful. At age 10, Joanna moved to Honduras with her parents, where she lived in her grandfather’s hotel and casino. She spent a carefree time playing with the local children, and she was deeply touched to be welcomed into their family homes and hearts. This experience inspired in her a passion for cultural anthropology, which led Joanna years later to attend the University of Nevada at Las Vegas to pursue a degree in anthropology. When she took a sociology class, the professor required the students to work with local outreach organizations in Las Vegas. So Joanna connected with WestCare. Once again, Joanna entered another culture – this time the trafficking culture on the streets of Las Vegas.
Over time, Joanna found herself deeply involved in helping girls off the streets and into safety, collaborating with WestCare, Aids for Awareness Nevada (AFAN), Rape Crisis, Teen Street, and the FBI. Expressing her heart to the compassionate women of WFWP, Joanna shared her testimony openly and honestly, striving to educate the group in her loving way on a subject that was sensitive for mothers to learn about. At the end of her talk, there was a 45-minute Q&A, which was deep and inspiring. The women attending thirsted for more information.
Among the 10 guests that attended the meeting, WFWP was honored to have the Glass House Counseling Agency, an organization focused on the mental health needs of children from abusive homes, children who run away from home, and who have suffered trauma. CEO Daisy Westmoreland, Director of Marketing Kaye Fain, and Carolyn Spearman, compliance manager, were in attendance and added much to our discussion. Their wisdom and compassion for the young children who come into Glass House were deeply comforting to everyone.
Some of the important points of Joanna’s talk:
Trafficking is a form of slavery – young girls and boys are cheap.
Targets for trafficking: the homeless, runaway teens, foreign children, desperate moms who must feed their children.
Foreign children are sold by their parents, who are deceived into thinking their children will have a better life inAmerica.
These children are told that their parents have a debt and it must be paid by the child.
Only men pay for sex with women and/or children.
We must educate the men, and especially the young men, as quickly as possible.
Joanna emphasized there are solutions:
There are tracking devices that can be put on the body to help children get rescued.
There are “T-Visas” for foreign children, and young women who are sold as slaves and brought to America.
Character education can be effective for rescued children.
Safe foster homes can protect the children when they are rescued.
Media awareness can begin the education of young men to stop abusing girls and women.
School teachers can make a big difference by reporting in a timely way to counselors and authorities. They often notice the signs.
Mothers can make a difference in educating their children at home and in schools.
Landlords can make a difference. Legal action can be taken against landlords who allow prostitution in their properties.
Our event ended with a gift to the speaker, and then a lovely meal of chicken wings and salads. Participants stayed for a long time, and in the end asked when the next meeting would be. The next WFWP event meeting is scheduled for April 14, and the topic relate to marriage and family. One of our guest speakers will be Dr. Sandra Lowen, who is spending the winter months in Las Vegas and has been a tremendous asset to our community. Email of event details is forthcoming. See you all next month!
