Trust.  


It is how I sign every one of my blogs.  Trust.  Always Trust.  It is something as humans that we consciously decide to give to someone.  Whether it be God, your significant other, a friend, or...a stranger.  When I sign my blog; it is more of a constant reminder to myself to Always Trust God. 

 In today's blog I am pondering a different kind of trust...

Last night I watched the movie "Trust" starring Clive Owen and directed by David Schwimmer.  (You may recognize him from a little show that was somewhat popular a while back called 'Friends')  In "Trust", Schwimmer tackles the heavy issues of grooming, and how this tactic is utilized by online predators.

The movie delves into the heart wrenching emotions one family goes through when their 14 year old daughter is groomed, and assaulted, by an older man she met online.  According to Highlights of the Youth Internet Safety Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice “one in five children (10 to 17 years old) receive unwanted sexual solicitations online.”  

Just another reason to study up on Internet safety, and monitor where your child goes on the internet.  I will attach again the Internet Safety 101 information.  The predators who do this are VERY good at what they do.  They know how to get to these kids and make them not want to tell anyone what happened.  Very informational; though hard to watch at some points.  I recommend watching without young kids in the room.






All for now. Thanks for stopping by.




Always Trust.
Polly D.

Sign The Petition to Stop Trafficking on Backpage.com

A disturbing trend is surfacing on a well known website www.backpage.com.  4 people in Denver arrested, one in Georgia, and many more not caught yet. (According to www.Change.org)  

Pimps utilize the internet to exploit girls; young girls as well, to buyers all over the country while maintaining a dangerous secrecy when it comes to their identity.

We need to, as a society, put a lid on organizations that make it easier for buyers and pimps to force others into any form of exploitation.  We have a moral obligation to each other to do our part.  Here is one simple thing that you can do right now.

Head over to Change.org with the link below:

http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-village-voice-media-to-stop-child-sex-trafficking-on-backpage-com

Curious what websites like Craigslist and Backpage have to do with an issue like trafficking?  Read this article, "Teen Girls' Stories of Sex Trafficking in the U.S." published way back in February of 2006 detailing 2 different young girls' stories and how both were sold and exploited using the internet.  Think of all the advances to our social networking since 2006 and what these changes have possibly done to make the trafficking industry flourish.  Just another reason to check out Enough is Enough, to educate yourself on Internet Safety.

As always, Thanks for reading and staying informed. Any questions/comments/concerns can be directed to myself or Be Free directly.  Interested in helping?  Come up with an action plan and contact us.  Want to host a screening of the film 'Sex + Money'?  Good idea.  Contact any of us for more details.

Always Trust.

Polly D.

Educate.

RESOURCES:

You may be wondering about now where you can start.  Like I said in my first entry; education and awareness is key.  Below is a valuable resource hand picked by the staff at Be Free to help everyone from parents to teachers navigate their way through the tough issues of human trafficking, sex slavery, prostitution, and exploitation.  

An organization Enough is Enough has an incredible website going over all the internet and gaming safety anyone and everyone on the internet needs.

http://www.internetsafety101.org/

This website alone is a great place to start.  Watch the videos, read the articles, and pass it on to everyone you know.

Stay tuned to this blog for more resources, information, and ways to get involved.

If you are interested in hosting a screening of the Documentary 'Sex + Money' please contact Be Free right away and begin the process of awareness with those around you.


Always Trust.
Polly D.

Introducing Be Free Ministries.


We are Be Free Ministries.  Be Free ministries was co-founded by Susan Omanson and Ashley Statema right here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  Their office is located in the heart of downtown at the Sioux Falls Ministry Center.  Be Free ministries is committed to ending human slavery, trafficking, and exploitation. They are working locally and globally to combat this issue by means of education and raising awareness, along with providing invaluable resources to the victims of this new form of human slavery.


My name is Polly Dean, I am a local columnist and writer.  Using the medium most suited to my abilities; I have agreed to update you, the public, and also the only ones capable of putting this tragedy to a grinding halt.  I am merely someone who's heart is breaking at all of the sexual brokenness right here in our own city and around the world.  I have offered my voice to help spread the word for those who no longer have their own voice.  


Crucial to all movements and direct change in our world first requires education.  I am not talking 4 year degrees vs. doctorates here...in this instance I am talking about awareness.  Human Trafficking into sex slavery is happening right here; in Sioux Falls, SD.  This statement is in NO WAY meant to scare or upset anyone.  It is merely a call to action that certain problems do not just go away on their own.  We alone are responsible for how our city/state/country handles crimes of this calibur.  We alone are responsible for our willingness to stand up and say "Not here, not now, not ever."


We will begin with a tutorial on what human trafficking is.

Trafficking:an act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion or other means, for the purpose of exploiting them. (according to The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime)

Exploitation: use or utilization, especially for profit; the combined, often varied, use of public-relations andadvertising techniques to promote a person, movie, product,etc.

Prostitution: the act or practice of engaging in sexual intercourse for money.

Women who get involved in Sex Trafficking Schemes feel that they have no other choice.  They may have no one else to turn to.  They may be runaways and jump at the thought of someone taking care of them; or what they think is someone taking care of them.  Human Trafficking is so much more that what we once thought. 

For more information stay tuned to this Blog; and Contact Be Free Ministries to schedule of a showing of Sex + Money at your church, school, small group, book club, social club, etc.  No group is too small or too big.  Sex + Money is a documentary taking a good hard look at the issue; and how we can do our part to stop it.  The first step is always EDUCATION.  Let's get started.

I look forward to this journey with all of you.

Trust.

Polly Dean.