Introduction

Hi,

Welcome to my CSEC Awareness blog. In case you're like me when I first stumbled upon this huge injustice, and have no idea what CSEC stands for, CSEC means the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. This term was adopted as a more accurate description for these victims than "child and teen prostitutes," because it accurately reflects their status as a victim, rather than a willing participant.

This issue has become so close to my heart that it has become one of my central purposes for being alive. I believe so strongly that we need to end the trafficking of unwilling women and children permanently, and the problem is multi-tiered. To end this problem, we will need to find and restore women through long-term counseling and prayer, reduce the market and demand for women through legislation changes, and pray, pray, pray! One of the biggest hurdles available currently is the fact that, because this topic is still taboo, most people are unaware that it is an issue. They see either pimps and their hos or nothing at all. It's what I saw... Adult prostitutes on street corners, willing participants, and while I was aware that there were sick, rich men all over buying them, I was not aware that children within walking distance of my own home are being bought and sold.

With this blog, I hope to raise some awareness. I'll be chronicling my experiences in the advocacy circles, highlighting some great organizations, both locally to Atlanta and internationally, to get involved with if you decide you are called to take a role in ending this social injustice, and posting reviews, summations, and notes from the books I read, DVDs I watch, and the training sessions I attend. If you do get involved, I urge you to do so through an organization, and after training, because so many things that we consider natural might be triggers for victims and we have to know not just the statistics of this cause, but also the individuals we are fighting for.

I also want to caution against major perspective changes. This issue is the type that breaks your heart to the point of never being unable to return to the time of not seeing again, and a lot of people who get involved with advocacy can adopt a really bitter perspective on men because of the alarming number of cops, judges, neighbors, and other higher-ups in society who are participants in the exploitation. Please keep in mind that while this is a huge issue that does encompass a large number of cops, judges, and neighbors, not all men are bad and exploitative. Not all cops are corrupt.  Part of the later stage healing and restoration process involves modeling examples of safe, healthy men and how they regard women to the victims, and if we allow our own hearts to become so bitter that our perspective is skewed, we can't possibly attempt to heal theirs.

Thanks for reading!