It’s a graphic image—bloody, gnarled roots throbbing below ground, poisoned fruit dropping from above. Harvesters work tirelessly to pick the fruit, only to find that more immediately take their place. To kill the tree—or heal it—they’ve got to go to the roots.
The “Tell Me Why” Series–Part Three
One of the most common questions we are asked once people are confronted with the reality of human trafficking is, “why?” How did it get to this point? How have the statistics grown so shockingly large? The purpose of this series is to highlight some of the contributing factors that leave children, teens, and even young adults vulnerable towards being trafficked. As always, it is never our goal to simply point out flaws in any system or organization, but rather to point towards realistic, redemptive solutions.
It’s a graphic image—bloody, gnarled roots throbbing below ground, poisoned fruit dropping from above. Harvesters work tirelessly to pick the fruit, only to find that more immediately take their place. To kill the tree—or heal it—they’ve got to go to the roots.
This is the picture Unearthed Pictures presents in their video “Groundswell,” released last year. The group, founded four years ago by Tony Anderson, focuses on ending the demand which creates the “supply chain” through sex trafficking. Their mission is to go to the roots.
“Without the demand, the supply dries up,” explains Jason Pamer, producer of their upcoming film Hearts of Men. The film, scheduled to release in spring of 2015, is aimed at helping our generation overcome sexual brokenness and addiction. “What if our sexual brokenness is actually a bridge to Jesus rather than a barrier?” their website asks. “With the Hearts of Men film, we’re out to give men living water in place of toilet water. To reveal God’s heart for the sexually broken.”
Neither man would ever downplay the importance of organizations that focus on rescue and restoration. These shelters and programs are being used by God to bring incredible healing and redemption to those already in bondage. However, if we don’t do something about the demand for trafficking, there will always be pimps looking for another girl to take the place of the one they lost. If we don’t do something about the roots, the tree will keep producing fruit.
Portland, especially known for its prevalent strip clubs and other sex industries, is sometimes referred to as “Pornland.” Is it really any wonder that a city so known for these places is also becoming known for sex trafficking?
“Strip clubs are like minor-league baseball,” explains Nick Lembo, a leader in the Defenders, one branch of Shared Hope International that focuses on reaching men. “This is where girls are groomed, where their pimps get them ready for the big league.” There is an “inextricable link” between legal sex industries and trafficking. Sadly, most men do not realize what they are actually participating in when they view pornography or visit a strip club. They may think it’s “not hurting anyone,” but the reality is it causes far more damage than they know.
The Defenders began in 2006 with a desire to reach to the root of trafficking and show men how they can be involved in the fight. Nick sees himself as a typical story—his wife was involved in fighting sex trafficking for many years, but to him it was a “woman’s issue.” “All I ever saw was women doing the work, getting involved, and writing about it,” he explained. Only when he attended an event with her about ending demand did he realize “we need to get men to do this. “ He explains that many men do not purposefully remain absent from the fight. In reality, they simply don’t understand what they can possibly do to help.
The mission of the Defenders is to reach men of all ages—adolescent boys to older men—and raise awareness about the power they hold to change the face of trafficking. They show videos, statistics, and real-life stories to sports teams, schools, youth groups, men’s groups, and anywhere else they are allowed in. They also specifically focus on the problem of pornography, using scientific data to show the chemical and relational effects it has on the viewer. “We’re changing the culture one person at a time,” says Lembo.
Lastly, they also give men practical ways to get involved themselves in the fight against trafficking. “Men are a crucial part of their [survivors’] healing process too. They need good, male role models…men that do something for them and want nothing in return.” Not only can men be part of stopping the demand, but they can truly be part of the solution.
Demand is truly THE largest factor in the prevalence of human trafficking in Portland. If we want to see our city changed and healed, then we can’t pretend that this dark, smoky corner doesn’t exist anymore. We’ve got to go to the roots.
As Lembo says, “[Our] silence on this issue is an affirmation of what is going on. Silence is not golden in this case.”
“We want to have as many men as possible see this film and be set free,” explains Pamer. “To realize they are not alone, there is a community of men that want to journey with them.”
To read more about Groundswell’s Hearts of Men movie, and how you can partner with them, click here.
To learn more about the Defenders and get involved, click here.
To see one example proving the connection between sex industries and trafficking, read this story.
