“Pornland, Oregon: Child Prostitution in Portland” proclaims the headline to Dan Rather’s report, detailing months of research into child prostitution, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-rather/pornland-oregon-child-pro_b_580035.html. Rather describes scenarios individuals, safely wandering the internet or reading through a newspaper, would view with skepticism or perhaps completely ignore in favor of news about a Hollywood scandal or political hopeful. The article defines the financial benefits and moral depravity involved in child trafficking and how it occurs in the very communities where most people want to relocate.
On September 22nd, Portlanders will take to the streets to stand against human trafficking.
“Pornland, Oregon: Child Prostitution in Portland” proclaims the headline to Dan Rather’s report, detailing months of research into child prostitution, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-rather/pornland-oregon-child-pro_b_580035.html. Rather describes scenarios individuals, safely wandering the internet or reading through a newspaper, would view with skepticism or perhaps completely ignore in favor of news about a Hollywood scandal or political hopeful. The article defines the financial benefits and moral depravity involved in child trafficking and how it occurs in the very communities where most people want to relocate.
Upon reading this article, the question emerges, “What can I do to help?”
This fall, thousands of men and women take to the streets in cities across the nation to stand against the human trafficking taking place in our midst. Stop Child Trafficking Now (SCTNow) is in the midst of organizing its fourth annual Walk campaign. The scope and mission of the SCTNow Walk expands as it moves into a new location, thanks to collaboration with Multnomah University.
“A few months ago, as I thought and prayed about where to have the Walk, my mind kept going back to where so much prostitution is going on, including the selling of minors for profit: 82nd Avenue,” explains Portland Ambassador Chelan Rene’ Russ. For many residents of Southeast Portland, 82nd Avenue is not a community, a destination or a safe place to travel or stay most nights. It constitutes a long, traffic-filled stretch of pavement, lined with car dealerships and unpaved side streets. Chelan believes hundreds of people, walking this street with a common goal, will strongly proclaim a message of hope and empowerment. She further affirms, “I trust this more urban setting will bring inspiration and optimism to the business owners, residents and entire communities on and near 82nd Avenue. ‘This is NOT OK, on 82nd Avenue, in Portland, in the United States or in places abroad. NOT on my watch!’”
“Chelan, what motivates you to stay involved?”
Focusing on innocent children, repeatedly raped for profit, she vehemently asserts, “I can do something about it. ”In addition, she shares about a friend who suffered as a victim of abuse for three years, unknown and unseen by the world. To raise awareness, Chelan and other volunteers with SCTNow speak and walk on behalf of the little ones who desperately need a hero.
This year, the SCTNow walk hopes to raise $25,000 for a variety of ongoing ventures that are helping to stop the demand for children throughout the country, including Portland. These projects include a research call center and investigative teams that track child predators on the street through their field operations, as well as online through their cyber division. Individuals or groups may sign up through the SCTNow website http://www.sctnow.org/ to walk in the event or to serve as volunteers preparing the walkers and then cheering them on through the finish line.
The answer to what we can do to help? On September 22nd, we can walk down 82nd Avenue and declare “No more!”
