em p ow er i n g
i n sp i r i n g
r el easi n g Volu m e 4, Issu e 2, Su m m er 2018
Sp o t l i g h t o n
Stories of Perseverance I n th i s i ssue:
Lance Tracy:
Relentless Bl ai re Frai m: A Heart of Perseverance Laura Page: Kids Helping Kids An d M or e!
"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us..."
Volu m e 4 Issu e 2* Edit or : Cin dy Pow ell Sim ple Fait h Pr ess * PO Box 1614 * Redlan ds, CA
contents REGULAR FEATURES Editor 's Corner
SPOTLIGHT SECTION pg 1
Relentless Lance Tracy
pg 15
Love Has a Face Andrea Aasen
pg 3
A Heart of Perseverance Blaire Fraim
pg 23
Exodus to Flourish Kezia Hatfield
pg 7
Kids Helping Kids Laura Page
pg 27
Freedom on the Frontlines Hallie Schaefer
pg11
Destiny House Restoration Center Lisa Mitts pg 31
Book Review : Radhika's Story Rachael Williams-Mejri
pg 37
Preventing Child Marriage Jenna Funkhauser
pg 35
edit or 's cor n er ?When climbing a steep hill, a man is often more conscious of the weakness of his stumbling feet than of the view, the grandeur, or even of his upward progress. Persevere, persevere. Love and laugh. Rejoice.? ?from God Calling, March 31st tarting a new endeavor is typically fueled by the fire and adrenaline of fresh hope and vision. Filled with passion and conviction, you feel like you can take on the world! Then, when you?re finally on the homestretch of a big project, you often gain new strength when you get a glimpse of the finish line. When you sense victory is just around the corner, your will to finish strong propels you onward.
S
?Stories of Perseverance? is the spotlight theme for our Summer Issue. It is a familiar theme for most justice fighters. The journey to justice* is just that? a journey. Change rarely happens quickly or all at once. Sometimes the journey is both long and lonely. Sometimes it feels like there is more discouragement than encouragement. Sometimes you may even feel like giving up.
But what happens in the middle?
But please don?t. Your voice matters. What you do matters. Together we are making a difference. One day at a time. One breakthrough at a time. One life at a time.
That?s when you need to persevere. And persevere. And then persevere some more.
-1-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
Recently this theme has been personal. I?ve been facing my own struggle to persevere. At times, I'm tempted to believe that much of what I do doesn?t have all that much impact. Some days I wonder if it even matters. Would anyone notice if I stopped? I don?t relish these thoughts, but they are
echo through eternity. On page 15, we?ll introduce you to filmmaker, Lance Tracy. Lance's film, Relentless, tells the story of a mother ?s relentless effort to find and save her daughter, but we?ll also tell you about the relentless effort behind-the-scenes to make the film! Then meet Blaire Fraim
real. When I?m discouraged, most of the time it is because I?m asking the wrong questions. I?m
(page 23), a missionary serving the vulnerable and exploited of Brazil. Blaire understands that perseverance is a matter
focused on the wrong things. The most important thing isn?t how much impact I think I am or am not having. The real question is ?why?? Why am I doing what I?m
of the heart? and that the road to restoration is rarely seamless or smooth. We?ll also introduce you to Tyler Page (in an article written by his mom, Laura Page on
doing? Why did I begin? What is the motivation of my heart?
page 27). Tyler started his organization, Kids Helping Kids, as a young boy and exhibited a level of understanding and
The 'why' is key. When your 'why' is clear, you can usually figure out the 'how' as you continue moving forward one baby step at a time. I?m not saying there isn?t ever a time
perseverance that would put most adults to shame. Although Tyler is grown now and exploring new ventures, his impact will endure.
to re-evaluate and change course if necessary, but those decisions should never be made from a place of temporary discouragement. And most of the time, discouragement is temporary.
So will yours. You are making more progress than you know. Keep doing what you do ? with perseverance.
But your impact in persevering is not. In fact, to quote Maximus from The Gladiator,
So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.? -Galat ian s 6:9
?What we do in life, echoes in eternity.? In this issue we are privileged to tell the stories of several who have persevered? and the fruit of their lives will
Cindy Powell Editor, Voices of Justice
*Since encouragement to persevere is something we all need at times, Voices of Justice will be launching a new feature called ?The Journey to Justice." More information will be coming soon on our website and through social media. Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
-2-
"Love has a Face? is a column dedicated to ending human trafficking through the realization of LOVE as the preventative solution. But love has a face! It takes a multitude of people, skill sets, ideas, ministries, and nations coming together to bring order in chaos and light into places of darkness. ?Love has a Face? will empower you to see your part in the solution to stop human trafficking and other forms of injustice before they start.
Bl essed ar e th e Peacem aker s a
had been tormented with physical illness
peacemaker? Wherever I am in
and assumed she?d want prayer for her
the world, it seems the most
body, but to my surprise, her response was,
sought after action, emotion, and position
?Please, pray for peace.? In fact, she didn?t
is peace. Isn?t that interesting? In a world
even mention her body or desire for
so overcome with turmoil and violence,
healing. Despite her situation, peace was
peace is the desired state of mind and
the ultimate cry of her heart.
circumstance. But if this is the case, why
Soon after, I noticed an increase in the
does the world look like it does?
number of persons who vocalized the
I?ll never forget praying for a young Khmer
same. Everyone wanted peace! This was,
woman. At that time, she was blind and
and still is, the case anywhere I travel. In
struggling with severe pain in her neck,
their personal lives, relationships, family,
back, and joints. As I met with her that day,
workplace,
I asked how she was doing and if she
desires peace. The irony is that, while most
needed anything. I knew full well that she
desire
W
hat
does
it
mean
to
be
-3-
city,
peace,
and
they
nation,
don?t
everyone
realize
the
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
numerous ways they are contributing to
peacemakers. We must learn to identify
the chaos and injustice in and around
with and seek to ?make peace? everywhere
them. Though they seek peace, they bring
we go.
destruction
But
through
their
words
and
actions.
peace
is
not
an
independent
consequence that spontaneously develops.
Teaching and mentoring others to be
Rather, peace is the long-term result of
peacemakers is a form of prevention. If we
perfect love. And contrary to what many
are to shape the world around us, we must
think, peace is not always nonthreatening.
be ones that demonstrate, carry, and give
Peace is also not always silent or passive in
peace. So, how do we walk in peace and
action. On the contrary, peace can be very
release it to others? I believe order and aggressive and
tranquility are established in our internal
Peace can
offend, because love can offend.
and external environments when we live as Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
intentional.
-4-
I am convinced that peace is completely
front of you? What would happen if we
dependent on love, whereas the two will
really understood that by loving people,
forever coexist. You cannot have one
even
without the other. When love is present
release them to do the same?
there will always be peace, and where there
What if the price of peace was love? Would
is an absence of love, there will always be
we desire it enough to lay everything else
uproar. So, while the desire of the nations
down for love's sake? Would we give up our
is peace, even deeper still, the desire is
insecurities, our offenses, our fears, and
love. Whether they know it or not, love is
any other perverted safe place to choose
the greatest desire of every man, woman,
love instead? What if the result was the
and child.
peace we sought after?
To have peace with each other and the
As
world around us, we must love. What a
encouraged by the shakings, for where
simple concept. Can you imagine what the
there are seeking hearts there will always
world
fully
be truth revealed. The global hunger for
understood this message? I often ponder
peace will change the nations, if we can all
why we complicate things. The world is full
learn to respond and posture ourselves in
of
and
love. Love is the only way to peace. Arise,
to
peacemakers ? now is your greatest hour to
would
look
committees,
organizations
like,
if
we
vocations,
specifically
intended
in
difficult
injustice
fills
situations, we would
the
nations,
I
am
shine!
develop mechanisms of and for peace. But
Love has a face.
what if it was as simple as loving the one in
Andrea Aasen is the Director of XP Missions / Extreme Love Ministries. She is a visionary leader with a heart to see justice released to the nations. Andrea has a desire to see women and children empowered and walking in their God created destinies. She believes in the power of LOVE to transform nationsand individuals, and asa result, has developed various community, business, and advocacy models to support and protect victims of human trafficking, abuse, and other formsof exploitation.
-5-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
F R E E D OM GE N E R A T I ON HAS LAUNCHED A NEW RESOURCE TO HELP KEEP CHILDREN SAFE FROM TRAFFICKERS "Human trafficking is a horrid subject to address, yet so many children are victims. We don?t want to scare them, but we can?t ignore the realities." -Caroline Pitout, Freedom Generation
To help address this need, Freedom Generation has developed an educational coloring book to help kids identify the common dangers of trafficking and provide them with simple and practical tools to protect themselves. .
Click on the video below to learn more:
Viist the Freedom Generation website at: www.freedomgeneration.co.za
"Exodus to Flourish" is a regular column that invites readers to delve deeper into the process of restoration for survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking and includes topics related to healing complex trauma, the church?s role, and the many questions that arise when journeying from Egypt into promise.
Loyalt y an d Ju st ice oyalty is an ever-developing revelation
and offense. Very subtly it can be woven
for me. Working for many years with
into the fabric of our organizations and the
survivors of sexual exploitation and
undertone of our messages. We can slowly
complex trauma, as well as being a mom,
sabotage our efforts as we confuse offense
daughter, sister, friend? the injustices are
with solidarity. Roots of bitterness form
very personal. Loving my enemies and
underneath the surface until, instead of
seeking justice can easily present as two
promoting healing connection, we are
opposing pursuits.
creating further division and even spiritual
When loving and aligning with people, their
defilement.
enemies and offenses can become ours to
Jesus said ?The blind receive their sight, the
wrestle through as well. Part of how we
lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf
advocate is by taking a stand against what
hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor
has been committed against them and
have good news preached to them. And
confronting
Survivors
blessed is the one who is not offended with
have often suffered years of being silenced
Me.? We may ask? how could anyone be
and hidden. We want to create visibility and
offended
amplify their
voice. Rightfully so. The
Could it be that society had deemed certain
problem is when we begin amplifying anger
categories of people as undeserving? Why
L
abusive
systems.
-7-
by people receiving healing?
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
was Jesus consistently challenged while He
learning how to hold tensions and engage
was doing good? Was it that He was
with complexities.
interfering with their current paradigms of
It becomes perplexing as we heal and grow
social justice?
in God. Our understanding of His ultimate
We he was sent to Nineveh, Jonah was
goals for restoration begin to challenge our
offended when God asked him to preach
definitions of loyalty. We are confronted
salvation to the inhabitants of that city.
with
Jonah didn't think the Ninevites deserved
offenses. We begin to see loyalty to God as
God's mercy. In the book of Joshua, before
being one with His nature. To emulate Him
the
and His desires rooted in love, justice,
Israelites
began
to
possess
the
what
we
thought
forgiveness,
were
justified
Promised Land, Joshua encountered the
humility,
redemption,
and
Lord. He asked if the Lord was for Israel or
restoration. These realities take on forms
for their adversaries. The Lord responded
we did not once expect. Yet He desires that
with ?No, but as the Commander of the
none should perish, but all to have eternal
Lord?s Army I have now come.? It seems
life. Our loyalty is identifying with Christ
God is less into sides and more into
and His desire toward every person we
salvation. He pursues redemption for all,
encounter. Often we will know we are
yet without violating loyalty or covenant to
growing when He begins putting this to the
anyone. There is mystery in this and we are
test.
invited to trust. Stages of emotional development and brain growth show us that black and white processing is a feature of a young child. They need rigid categories to determine what is safe, what is good, and what to trust. Typical thoughts are ?you are either for me or against me? or ?it is either this or that.? Polarized thinking is also a feature of
I personally never thought I would be
trauma and a dissociative mind, in which
sitting with Johns and extending empathy.
?all good? or ?all bad? can be a survival
The idea used to feel like betrayal. Now I sit
response. My belief is that both emotional
in session with a John one hour and in the
immaturity and trauma have contributed to
next hour sit with a woman who has been
our tendencies to view the world and
exploited. It
people this way. There is a process of Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
-8-
does not
divide
me
or
contradict conviction. If anything, I sense a
truth and love. Those are standards that
greater movement toward my wholeness ?
remain
and the wholeness of God?s family. I'm
empathy. As many of you can closely relate,
sitting, as a broken-resilient person, with
I entered this field because I saw Jesus in it
other broken-resilient people who are the
and wanted to be with Him. The way He
focus of His desire. Every one has in some
sees and relates to people is far more
way perpetrated and has been victimized.
multidimensional and as long as there is
Every one hopes for redemption and
breath in someone's lungs to choose Him,
something
He can transform and heal. When God
more.
I
feel
even
more
empowered to advocate for justice and
and
protect
the
integrity
of
releases glory like that, it vindicates all.
After several years of experience with trauma and recovery, Kezia believeshealthy families are the linchpin to all human growth and restored design. She received her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has worked exclusively with survivors of sex trafficking and their support systems, while also developing and overseeing a residential aftercare program. Through the adoption of her daughter,Kezia has seen Jesus?glory in family and the restoration He bringsthrough the process. Her desire is to nurture the healing integration of individuals, families, and communities? that what were once cycles of abuse are turned into blessings for futuregenerations.
You Can Do Something! If everyone does something, we can change the world.
Click here for ideas
-9-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
E ight- year- old
Asha Nambawa lived a peaceful life in rural Uganda until a gang of armed men came and snatched her sister D embe away. W hen she feels not enough is being done to find her sister, she sets out on her own. She gets more than she bargains for when an unlikely stranger picks her up along the way... W ill she succeed in her mission to find her sister? W ill she ever make it back home?
Click h er e t o or der " Rest or ed" t h e secon d n ovel in t h e Rise ser ies
For ot h er book s by t h e au t h or , visit : h t t ps:/ / h alliesch aef er .com / book s/
Freedom on the Frontlines is a monthly column that highlights individuals and organizations who are making a difference on the frontlines of the war against human trafficking. t fifteen years old, Diane Owsley
everything she had just gone through.
was abducted from her home by an
Unfortunately, it was not so? back at the
abusive boyfriend. For several days,
man?s house, he and his group of friends
she was held captive in the woods by the
raped her. When they were done with her,
man she thought she knew so well. During
they threw her into a room in the back, with
a daring escape, she knew going home was
nothing but a blanketless bed on the floor.
not an option, so she decided to ?run to the
She told me, ?When that door closed, I did
streets? and try her luck out on her own as
not leave for two years.?
A
she had nowhere else to turn. Her family For those two years, a group of men
was mostly uninvolved in her life, she
guarded the door night and day; she was
couldn?t even go to them for help.
unable to escape. They kept her drugged According to fausa.org, most runaways or
and often withheld food from her, her
girls on the streets, will be lured by a
ragged body weighing as little as ninety
trafficker within 48 hours. Diane was no
pounds. Not only was she held captive in
exception; within those 48 hours, she was
that
already targeted.
numerous times a day for sex.
She met a man who made promises to help
The situation seemed bleak, and it was in
her, telling her that he would take her in
that hopelessness that she cried out to
and take care of her. This sounded like a
God. While she never had a relationship
dream
with Him before, one night she prayed that
come
true,
especially
after
-11-
house,
she
was
trafficked,
sold
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
her torture would end. Soon after, and for the first time in two years, the door to that horrible room was left unguarded. Without waiting, she fled, finally able to escape. After her escape, she met with a pastor who took care of her and counseled her for three years. In that time she began a relationship with God and was saved. Diane is adamant that her relationship with Christ is how she overcame and healed from the horrors of being trafficked. Diane?s story doesn?t end there. In the years since her escape, Diane went on to marry her wonderful husband of fifteen years. Since his passing seven years ago, she now spends her time fighting human trafficking Diane Owsley
by speaking at colleges, high schools, and conferences all over the country, spreading awareness wherever she goes. When she is not doing speaking engagements, she is scouring the internet looking for human trafficking victims. She knew exactly what to search for as she looked through sites such as Backpage and Craigslist. Now that those sites have been shut down, Diane says that, unfortunately, there is no shortage of other places to look. She has worked closely with Homeland
Security
over
the
years,
reporting the leads she finds. She has even Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
-12-
worked with the FBI at the Super Bowl,
When she?s not rescuing victims, she sells
watching
human
special bracelets to help raise money for
trafficking victims who are sold during the
other survivors. These bracelets are made
event. The FBI are involved once the victim
by human trafficking survivors, and the
crosses state lines, and during the Super
funds from the jewelry go to support those
Bowl, pimps bring in their girls from other
women.
states.
When I asked Diane what she believes the
Known by her colleagues as a ?Beacon of
average person can do to help fight human
Hope? and an abolitionist who ?Brings Hope
trafficking, she responded with a quote
to the Trafficked,? Diane has personally
from
rescued several girls, as well. One night at a
ch oose t o look t h e ot h er w ay, bu t you
hotel, she realized that trafficking was
can n ever say again t h at you did n ot
taking place right before her eyes. Boldly,
k n ow .?
she informed the authorities and stayed
awareness is one of the best ways we can
with the victim, keeping her safe until police
help prevent trafficking. She says that if
arrived. Another victim she found is now a
people understand what is happening and
close
the
know the signs, they can report it, which
human
could be the thing that saves someone?s
and
searching
friend
unimaginable
of bond
hers, of
for
sharing being
William
She
Wilberforce,
strongly
?You
believes
m ay
that
trafficking survivors. Diane was able to take
life.
the girl back to her own house, keeping her
If you would like to order one of her
safe. She says that Lindsey is now like a
bracelets, facebook messenger (click link)
daughter to her.
is the best way to contact Diane.
Hallie Schaefer is a freelance writer and web content creator from Indianapolis, Indiana. Earning her degree in Psychology from Grace College and Theological Seminary, she has combined her experience in counseling and love of writing to equip and inspire others. When she is not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three small children, exploring all Indianapolishastooffer. -13-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
VOJSpotlight Section:
S t or ies of P er sev er an c e Given the enormous scope of the issue of human trafficking, answers rarely come quickly or easily. To be effective for the long run takes perseverance. In this issue of VOJ, we hope you are inspired by the stories of several committed individuals and organizations that have have pressed in to make a difference despite the obstacles they have faced.
RELENTLESS "REL EN T L ES S " Q&A w it h Film m aker
Lan ce Tr acy Lance Tracy is an LA based filmmaker who was recently introduced to VOJ though his partnership with The Abolish Slavery Coalition. Lance's recent film, "Relentless" helps benefit their abolition efforts. We're honored that Lance has taken the time to share a bit of his story with our readers.
C
an
you
abou t f ir st
t ell
us
you r self
an d
becam e
a h ow
in t er est ed
lit t le
currently work on the CBS streaming
you
service, CBS All Access, on an on-going
in
basis. Riding the balance of my active
f ilm m ak in g?
Christian
faith
with
working
industry
has
in
I?m originally from Seattle. I grew up in the
entertainment
80?s in the birthplace of a lot of famous
on-going
grunge bands that led me into music
professional challenge.
myself. That
music
How did you becom e aw ar e of t h e
videos, which then turned into filmmaking.
issu e of h u m an t r af f ick in g? Was t h er e
I?ve been a professional filmmaker for 20+
an yt h in g specif ic t h at in spir ed you t o
years
f ilm Relentless?
now
eventually led
through
to
feature
films,
intentional
and
been
the an
strategic
international documentaries, commercials,
Human trafficking is a modern term for
music videos, and faith-based films. I also
moving people for the purposes of slavery.
helped brand the Olympics for NBC, and
And slavery is as old as human history. I -15-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
formed my company, ?Human? back in
government.
2005 and when we started focusing on
research the subject of human trafficking
narrative feature films I decided I wanted
in Cambodia, the more I realized that
to tackle a social issue in every film with
Cambodia had a very serious issue ? more
some sort of solution to it. Films take a lot
than many countries, in fact. But what
of sacrifice, finances and human energy so
became peculiar was that the Cambodian
we might as well do something that helps
government wasn?t publicly addressing the
others.
issue. It turned out that some officials in
But Relentless didn?t start with the idea of
the Cambodian government were involved
human trafficking. My first objective was
in a trafficking ring. That?s when my
to
my
contacts said that they wanted to help but
experience,
couldn?t because they would lose their
make
a film
international
overseas.
documentary
With
The
more
I
started
and
humanitarian
funding if they got involved with my film.
documentaries I had lots
of experience
I
making
faith-based
hired
a
screenwriter
and
had
to
a
shooting overseas and figured this would
Cambodian-centric first draft but had to
make
completely scrap it. I decided to write an
Relentless
different
than
most
American independent films.
entirely new Relentless myself as I was
I wanted to shoot a feature in Cambodia, a
beginning to
place I?ve shot in before and I wanted to
wanted to tell.
tell a story around this special geography
My second country of choice was El
and history. I started to put feelers out in
Salvador. I had shot documentaries and
Phnom Penh. Somewhere in this initial
videos
development phase the idea of human
dangerous and violent country, but their
there
understand
several
the story I
times.
It
is
a
trafficking came up. I decided if I was going to address this topic then I wanted to connect it to the U.S. somehow so that Americans, who are very capable of helping, would find themselves in the story. But things started to go south. My contacts
were
part
of
an
organization in Cambodia that was partially funded by the Cambodian -17-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
government
is
very
humble
and
forthcoming about their issue with human trafficking (it is a hub for trafficking in Central
America).
My
contacts in
El
Salvador were very excited and said they?d do anything to help us make this movie there. Kn ow in g w h at you k n ow n ow , is t h er e an yt h in g you w ou ld h ave don e dif f er en t ly in t h e pr ocess of m ak in g t h is f ilm ? I went into this with very little money. Relentless should have cost about $12-15 million to make in a traditional way. We shot it for under $500k. I knew it would be difficult. And I knew we?d need a lot of help. I hired an American Line Producer and the two of us flew to San Salvador to
interview potential co-production partners, production companies located in San Salvador that could bring on crew, equipment, permits, etc. We quickly realized there was no film industry in El Salvador, but there were commercials being produced. We went with the commercial company, Meridiano 89, a very capable and connected group who proved to be a great fit for this film. They were able to help make deals with the government that gave us free helicopters, police, soldiers, security, transportation, etc. I look back wondering what I would have done differently knowing what I know now and recalling the enormous challenges we all went through to get Relentless on the screen. I don?t think there is an easier way that would have allowed the film to get finished. It was a very ambitious story with a big cast, spread throughout Central America, Mexico and the U.S. Wh at h as su r pr ised you t h e m ost as you ?ve delved deeper in t o t h e issu e of h u m an t r af f ick in g? Before doing the research for this script, I wondered how traffickers actually kept their victims from escaping and/or just going to the authorities. The violence I uncovered that inspired many of the scenes in Relentless, was shocking. People were either being violently abducted from their homes or tricked into traveling
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
-18-
somewhere for a job and then being physically captured. If someone in the group of victims disobeyed the captors or tried to escape, they were made into an example by being burned alive, or killed with a baseball bat, shot, beheaded, etc. Then there are those victims right
"Keep in mind that awareness about an issue is one thing, but being the person who actually does something with that awareness is another."
here in suburbia, U.S.A. that are
Bartolotta came to the screening and was
forced into selling themselves sexually
moved by the film. She arranged to show
while living at home with their unaware
it
parents. How is that possible? I heard a
Harrisburg,
story that captors meet their families,
passage of a human trafficking bill. I was
posing as boyfriends, etc., and then tell the
very proud of that experience as many
victims they will kill their families if they
legislators were inspired to start initiatives
don?t comply. Imagine
in their districts.
being
in
that
situation!
before
the to
House
and
promote
Senate the
in
speedy
When I was in Harrisburg at the House and
Can you t ell u s abou t som e of you r
Senate screening, I learned that the $5,000
su ccesses? w h at k in d of im pact h ave
donated in Pittsburgh was just spent by
you seen w it h t h e f ilm ?
The Abolish Slavery Coalition to save a
Two incredible stories come to mind, and
Texas-based
they?re connected. This film partnered with
trafficked. He was lured by a false promise
The Abolish Slavery Coalition to raise
on social media to come to Southern
awareness and funding for them. I was
California. The traffickers said they would
particularly interested in the fact that, with
help him with his music career. So he
very little money and overhead, The
went.
Abolish
parents were sent a photo of him, beaten
Slavery
Coalition
continuously
rescues victims and rehabilitates them. Through our publicist, Lynda Schneider who is based in Pennsylvania, we did a screening in Pittsburgh. An anonymous donor gave $5,000 to The Abolish Slavery Coalition.
State
Senator,
Camera
teen
boy
from
being
The next thing you know, his
and bound with a ransom demand. The $5,000 was directly used in the process of finding the boy. When authorities closed in on the residence where he was being held, they found two more missing kids. Hearing this story was one of the proudest moments of my life. -19-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
themselves in a cause that affects them so much emotionally and spiritually that they can?t properly function. I believe we have to observe proper boundaries and make sure we are healthy enough to function in a position of influence in this life to be able to help others. I?m always trying to walk that line by the grace and wisdom of God. Do you h ave an y advice f or ot h er cr eat ives w h o h ave been t ou ch ed by t h is issu e bu t w h o f eel t h ey don?t k n ow w h er e t o st ar t or h ow t o m ak e a dif f er en ce?
David Castro, LanceTracy, and Martin Chavez at theEast Coast Premier of Relentless
Wh at st eps do you per son ally t ak e t o st ay h opef u l an d solu t ion -f ocu sed w h en f aced w it h t h e r ealit ies of t h is ver y dar k issu e? Have you been on an airplane and heard the flight attendant say at the beginning of the flight that in the case of cabin depressurization, to make sure to use the oxygen mask first before giving it to your children and others. They say that because they want to make sure you are conscious and cared for so you are able to help others. I think this applies to my life as well. I have to stay balanced in my relationship with God and my ministry, my family, my church family, my career, hobbies and causes. I?ve seen people lose Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
As creatives we can help to raise awareness through our various platforms and influences. Also, keep in mind that awareness about an issue is one thing, but being the person who actually does something with that awareness is another. Giving to anti-human trafficking organizations like The Abolish Slavery Coalition, through time, talents, and money are a great way to help. And as a benefit, I?ve experienced a tremendous joy in helping others that I don?t get by just creating art. How can r eader s best su ppor t t h e f ilm an d h elp get t h e w or d ou t ? Watch the film on Red Box or Amazon or one of the many of the platforms found at www.relentlessmovie.com. Sales of the film support The Abolish Slavery Coalition. If you are moved by the film, share it on social media and get involved at www.abolishslavery.org. Holding fundraising screenings for Abolish Slavery is something we love to support. Get in touch with us at -20-
contactus@humanllc.org and we?d be happy to help set something up. Do you h ave an y f u t u r e plan s or pr oject s you w an t t o m ak e ou r r eader s aw ar e of ? I?m in development on a new film called ?Special Interest Agent?? a globe-trotting thriller about ISIS which takes place in Syria, Greece, El Salvador and all over the U.S. It spends a great deal of time high-lighting the Refugee Crisis in war-torn Syria. Over eleven million people are displaced either in Syria or in surrounding regions. These are people like you and me who one day are living in their house or apartment with their family and then they are forced to leave in order to survive. It?s a tricky situation for many reasons? one of which is that, mixed in with some of the refugees are extremists who are bent on war, so it is difficult to tell them apart. My hope is that, like ?Relentless? this film will entertain and educate an audience and also move them to help with this crisis. An y addit ion al t h ou gh t s or ideas you ?d lik e t o leave u s w it h ? I appreciate the balance Voices of Justice strikes between helping each other ?s physical needs and their spiritual needs. "Setting the captives free" as described in Isaiah 42 has a double meaning, and command for God?s people? we are to help set people free physically and spiritually, and you get that. Thanks for all you guys do to help people. Editor?s Note: Thank you, Lance, for the encouragement and for all you are doing to set captives free! . -21-
Lance Tracy is a strong producer-writer-director with an incredible knack to mix commercial ideas with quality people.
His last film, "Relentless" won ?Best Thriller? and ?Best Director? at its Breckenridge Film Festival world premiere. Sundance deemed his last documentary ?an accomplished film?. With years of experience in high-end marketing and advertising, he has developed an international, commercial sensibility. Often called on by NBC/ Universal and CBS Interactive, Tracy has helped to brand the Sochi and London Olympics as well astheCBSstreaming service, "CBSAll Access". He started as an in-house dramatic films director, making short narrative films, distributed in 155 countriesand 15 languages. Herehewassensitized to an international audience while earning 12 writing and directing awards. He has directed projects in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Cambodia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico City, Belize, Honduras, Moscow, St. Petersburg and theU.S. He is currently in development on ?Special Interest Agent? a globe-trotting topical thriller about ISIS, highlighting the Syrian refugee crisis, scheduled to lens2018. Lancelivesin LA with hiswifeand twokids
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
Wat ch on Am azon or Redbox!
RELENTLESS
KNOW THE FACTS
Graphs and statistics provided by US Army
A HEART OF PERSEVERANCE by Blair e Fr aim ?I will run the course of your commandments, for you will enlarge my heart.? -Psalm 119:32
he had relapsed again. Just before
comprehend; I only knew that my heart was
Christmas, Shay had gone back to
broken. I wondered if she would survive
the warmth of the manholes under
this relapse; dark thoughts crowded in as I
the bridge, selling her body for $10 in order
feared that death would be the only peace
to buy her next hit of ?the rock? as she
my friend would know.
called it, or crack cocaine. This wasn?t the
For those who work in back alleys with the
first time either, I?d been down this road
addicted, exploited, and vulnerable; we
with her four times already, each time
know that rarely is a story as simple as:
helping her get into a detox, then a rehab
?She was rescued and lived happily ever
program, then
own
after.? In fact, I?ve never encountered that
apartment. Months of sobriety, the safety
story? instead I?ve known the cycles of
of her apartment, the security of a job,
shame and trauma that often look like one
would be thrown away in a moment when
step forward followed by two steps back. In
the traumas of
life would come
the moments when she takes two steps
flooding in. It was too much for me to
back, I?ve come to cling to the truth that
S
a job, then
her
her
-23-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
shame or addiction is never the end of the story. Love is the end of the story, because love never fails. Yet in the midst of the story God is writing, when we?ve yet to see the breakthrough we know will come, we must be a people of perseverance. ?I will run the course of your their disgust with the perpetrators, etc.
commandments, for you will
In the low moments, like with my friend
enlarge my heart.?
Shay, I too was tempted to grow bitter, to
-Psalm 119: 32
feel completely defeated when I wasn?t Early in my journey of working with exploited
men
and
seeing her change. Many of us will face
women, the Lord
these moments in our life, moments that
brought me to this verse and has become
call for perseverance. A perseverance that
vision for my life: I want a big heart. In a
doesn?t merely dig in its heels to keep
movement championing justice, I began to
fighting,
see that many peers who were fighting
bring about their version of justice. Hearts shriveled
up
because
of
their
own
disappointed expectations with the people they serve, the apathetic government, or
a
perseverance
that
surrenders to the only One who can save.
alongside me were bitter, disappointed, and striving in their own humanistic zeal to
but
In our pursuit of justice there is a tension we must walk: to take action and advocate for the oppressed, loving them through the messiness
of
their
pain,
but
also
surrendering their lives and future into the One who holds them in the palm of His hand. The pressures of life, the disappointments, and the betrayals will invite us to protect ourselves? to insulate ourselves from the pain of another. We will be tempted to grow
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
-24-
cold
and
uncaring.
In
truth,
would be saints who have run the course
"For those who work in back
set before them, who have not loved their
alleys with the addicted,
lives unto death, and who have great big
exploited, and vulnerable; we
hearts? with eyes shining, who still weep
know that rarely is a story as
over the poor and oppressed of the earth!
simple as: 'She was rescued and lived happily ever after.'"
This is our inheritance, this is our promise. Shay survived that relapse. She survived a few more after that, too. Today she is living
self-preservation is second-nature and yet the gospel calls us to a compassion that causes us to enter into the suffering of another. This can only be sustained in the place of prayer and in beholding the Servant King Jesus who will not fail and who will not be discouraged until He brings forth justice (Isaiah 42). When He is our motivation, our strength and our hope, He gives grace for the journey. He provides
independently, working hard at her job and beginning to rebuild her relationship with her estranged children. She still struggles, drugs are still a strong temptation that she must work on daily. Yet in the community of people around her she is beginning to run the course God has marked for her, and she too has a heart that is rising out of the ashes, that is growing bigger and bigger every day.
everything we need that in the end we Blaire has served in the non-profit sector for 9 years, lending her leadership and experience to build Christian communities in the praxis of social justice work with marginalized and vulnerable persons. She has mobilized awareness and intervention campaigns in Brazil that saw more than 500 churches across the nation participate in reaching out to 2,000 exploited persons. She hasauthored an Intervention Manual for Christian Communities that gives a step-by-step look at how to develop and sustain outreach to exploited persons in their community. After years of direct work with exploited women and their communities, Blair desires to see growth and transformations sustained through the Body of Christ and the beauty of families. She and her husband currently livein Brazil asmissionaries. To learn more:visit: www.fraimsinternational.com
-25-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
Coming in our Fall 2018 issue!
spot ligh t on
St or ies of
B REA K T H RO U GH We are NOW accepting submissions for our Fall 2018 edition! In our Fall 2018 Edition (to be published Sept.1) we'll be focusing on stories of breakthrough. Being on the frontlines in the fight against human trafficking can be heartbreaking, but then there are those wonderful moments when we actually get to see the glimmers of restoration and change that make it all worthwhile. Whether small steps forward, or giant leaps that exceed all expectations, it is always encouraging to see the fruits of our labor. That's why we need to share these stories so others can be encouraged as well. If you, or someone you know, has a story or testimony of breakthrough, we want to hear from you. In addition to our Spotlight section, we are always accepting submissions for our our regular features, as well as any articles that fit within our overall mission to empower, inspire, and release voices in the fight against human trafficking. For more information, visit: www.voicesofjustice.org/submissions/
KIDS HELPING KIDS The Inspiring Story of a Young Boy?s Desire to Help Trafficked Children on the Other Side of the Globe
M
by Lau r a Page
ost fourth grade boys can be found playing video games and
riding bikes or
catching lizards, not
planning their next fundraiser to save children from forced labor in Africa. Tyler Page was a regular kid who loves Star Wars, baseball, and pizza ? any day of the week. He has a fondness for cafeteria chili Tyler with a group of children in a small villagein Ghana
and once paid his friend Joey $20 for an extra bowl. But after watching a story on
weeks later he and a handful of his
TV about child trafficking in Ghana, West
buddies had a car wash that produced
Africa, where children just like him were
$1,175.00
being forced to fish for 14 hours a day with
amazement by the amount raised, which
only one small meal, his young life
greatly surpassed his initial $240 goal,
suddenly became a mission to save the
Tyler who was exuberantly jumping up an
world, and ?Kids Helping Kids? was born.
down in celebration, asked, ?How many
Heart broken by what he had seen on TV,
kids does that save?? After calculating the
backed with determination to raise $240
numbers and finding out the result was
which he learned would keep one child out
4.7, enough to support nearly five children
of slavery for a year, he immediately drew
for an entire year, Tyler suddenly stopped
a picture of a car wash, wrote a letter and
cold, looked his mom square in the eyes
took it to school the next day to invite his
and asked, ?How much more do we need
friend and classmates to help. Three short
for the fifth child?? ?Seventy dollars? his -27-
in
donations.
In
utter
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
month?? he said. Amazed by the success and support he received, Tyler decided to set
an
unprecedented
goal
to
raise
$50,000. Big dreams and high hopes were mocked and poked fun at by some of his peers and family members for his bigger than life plan, but Tyler persevered and learned an early lesson about the limits Maddison Bach-Lehmer, Tyler &* Laura Pageheading toGhana
society places on people. His first taste of adversity was met with an unexplainable humility and purpose beyond his years, setting an example for all to follow. Within 8 months Tyler not only reached his goal but also started his own nonprofit, Kids Helping Kids Leadership Academy, Inc. where his initative inspired hundreds
Thefour rescued children
of other youth and adults to reach beyond their own limiting believes and even join his cause, or started their own. The effects of
Tyler ?s
untainted
nine-year-old
connection to integrity started a chain reaction whose effects probably won?t truly ever be measured in its?totality. One fundraiser bled into the next, creating Therescueteamand therescued children
opportunities and connections beyond his
mom replied, and his young mind started
comprehension and before he knew it
to spin.
Tyler had not only raised over $250,000
?What was I doing spending twenty bucks
but his innate spark to right a wrong was
on a bowl of chili when the money could
the catalyst to a wide variety of impacts
be used to support a children for a whole
including:
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
-28-
· Sending 500 backpacks filled with school
· Launching a global pen-pal program
supplies to the rescued children in Ghana
between American and Ghanaian students
· Raising thousands of dollars for 5 local
· Starting a leadership academy for K-12
children in need of medial attention
youth to teach passion based service
· Sending 6,200 zip-lock bags filled with
learning
candy
Now, at
to
the
troops
in
Iraq
and
21, Tyler
says his greatest
Afghanistan
accomplishment in his Kids Helping Kids
· Sending children?s books to remote
journey, was taking a team of 7 to Ghana
villages in the Philippians
in 2012 where they were able to see
·
Hosting
a
celebrity
fundraiser
in
Hollywood raising $8,000 for displaced orphans in Haiti after the 2011 earthquake · Feeding
the
homeless and
hungry
firsthand the issues related to trafficking and rescue 4 children from forced labor. He says giving these children (no different than himself) a chance, a taste of hope, has made the journey well worth the
children in Russia and Haiti
ridicule, hard work, and sacrifice. ?Sadly,
· Walking the streets of San Francisco at
Kwadwo, one of the four precious children
Christmas to connect with the homeless
we rescued passed away just a few months
population and offer them a backpack
after being rescued through complications
filled with supplies
related to forced labor.? According to Tyler,
·
Delivering
200
stuffed
animals
hospitalized children on Christmas
to
eleven year old Kwadwo?s light was bright, his strength and endurance supernatural
Thefirst KidsHelping Kidscar wash
Shanewasfirst helped by KHK for hismedical needs, then later worked toraise$200 for therescuemission
-29-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
and his care and compassion for others in the midst of adversity? saint like. Tyler says had he known what his outcome was going to be he would have take Kwadwo home with him. Tyler feels incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity to connect with inequity on a level that meets basic humanity. ?At age 14, I got to travel to Africa and save 4 children from a brutal life of forced labor. How many other kids can say that? If I was in their situation and
Tyler Pagetoday
didn?t have a voice or the choice, who
story, his actions and compassion have
would save me?? He said he feels lucky, ?It
impacted thousands of lives. He has
made me realize what I have and what I
accomplished more in his young life than
am capable of doing and becoming.? He
most people do in their entire lifetime.
said, ?Poor Kwadwo didn?t have a choice, someone who I believed could potentially become the president of Ghana, had his life cut short due to circumstances outside of his control.?
Tyler is quick to point out that while he has received most of the credit for this work, ?none of it would have been possible without my family?s amazing support and belief in me. It has been a collaborative effort by all who selflessly shared their
The profound insights from a young man
time, money and human spirit for the
raised
collective good to make this world a better
in
an
upper
middle
class
neighborhood, is a breath of fresh air. His
place. I am truly the lucky one.?
Laura Page's professional journey has been fueled by a life-long passion for igniting and empowering youth to see themselves as valuable, unique, compassionateand connected individuals, asinnovativestrategists, and ethical leaders. Laura says, "Throughout my life I have been fortunate to have had influencers who helped define the characteristics which drive transformative experiencesin organizational development and innovativeprogramming."
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
-30-
Pressing in for destiny...
DESTINY HOUSE RESTORATION CENTER by Lisa M it t s The mission of Destiny House Restoration Center is to provide a transitional housing facility incorporating a holistic, measured-results, data driven treatment program entitled "H.E.A.R.T.S.? (Healing, Education And Restoration Treatment for Survivors) for the healing and restoration of female victims of sex-trafficking ages 18 and over.
W
e began and founded Destiny House
coalition
with
Restoration Center in June of 2012
Prevention to both educate and create
with a very small team from our
advocates among youth especially in high
church and became an IRS 501C-3 non-profit
schools,
organization the following year. I volunteered
sex-slavery.
in a leadership position until September of 2014
when
I
became
the
Director
of
Fundraising and Administration. While we continue to raise the needed funding for this vision to become a reality in the greater Seattle area, we provide resources and advocate for survivors connecting them to qualified
residential
programs
in
the
nation.We also provide educational seminars
for
Washington
the
purpose
Trafficking
of
ending
I have worked hard for three and a half years to raise the necessary funds to finally purchase a property and open our full time program with the necessary qualified staff. This has included active fundraising with big events, increasing partners and corporate matching fund
programs,
interviews on
many radio shows and online magazines, and establishing a program for artists like myself
to the community and have aligned in a -31-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
to donate a portion of sales whether through music, handmade jewelry or other creative arts. While we have made great strides, we still have not raised nearly what we need. In the meantime, we have also helped place several survivors with qualified residential programs and have advocated for others to
One of the most difficult things we have encountered besides the actual fundraising, is
just
the
sheer
determination
and
perseverance to keep going after 5 years of working towards a goal and not achieving it yet. There have been many times I have thought, ?Maybe we should just stop?? or ?is it really worth it?" "Are we really making a
empower them for healing.
difference?? But then, inevitably, we either We have also worked diligently to establish connections and good relationships with other anti-trafficking organizations, as well as provide education and resources for the community
about
the
realities
of
sex-trafficking in our backyard. Our most recent community event was in partnership with several anti-trafficking organizations in the Puget Sound area for the public screening of the Netflix documentary, ?I am Jane Doe.? The film focused on the true story of two young girls who were trafficked through Backgpage here in the Seattle area, and their
get a call from a survivor needing help, or an unexpected donation, or from someone who wants to volunteer and help us at our next fundraiser? and then we know we have to trust God and believe quitting is not an option. If we can help even one more survivor get the healing and help she needs, it?s worth it; if we can bring awareness and create advocates among families and youth to prevent even just one more girl from getting lured and groomed into sex-slavery, then it is worth
all
the
work
and
even
the
disappointments.
parents? fight to shut them down with the professional help of a local attorney, Erik
can joyfully say that last year was our biggest
Bauer. Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
While we are not where we want to be, we
-32-
breakthrough year ever in so many ways. We have been blessed to connect with some amazing partners and volunteers including business owners who have opened their entire beautiful store to us both last year and coming up in September for our Annual Benefit Auction Fundraiser. We have more volunteers now for our event than we ever had in the past and we have stronger relationships anti-trafficking
with
leaders
and
organizations
other
in
the
community than ever before.
who had no idea about the work we are doing. If you would like to make a difference and
Personally, I continue to share about Destiny
help us reach our goals this year, please go to
House
www.destinyhouserc.org
and
the
sex-trafficking
at
performances
and
mission every
of one
concerts,
ending
and
click
on
of
my
?Partner ? or ?Donate?. You can also contact
which
has
me at lisa@destinyhouserc.org and I will write
helped spread the message as well to people
you back.
Lisa Mitts received her B.S. in Journalism and Communications with a minor in Music Performance from the University of Florida. Together with her husband, David, they founded One New Man Healing Center both in Seattle, WA aswell asin Tiberius, Israel for the time they lived there (7/ 2006 - 12/ 2010). Lisa also launched her music career with her first professional recording in 2009 and established Lisa MittsMusic. Much of her performances in the last few years have been for the purpose of bringing awareness and change to the horrific reality of sex-trafficking, especially the rising numbers here in the United States. She is a recognized artist with IJM (International Justice Mission) and has devoted half of her proceeds from the sale of her newest album, Songbird toDestiny HouseRestoration Center.
-33-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
______________________________________________________
PREVENTING CHILD MARRIAGE by Jen n a Fu n k h ou ser
"Every girl deserves the opportunity to discover her interests and skills, and the knowledge to live a healthy and positive life within her family and community."
hile in Tanzania this spring, I asked a village school administrator, ?How young are girls in these communities commonly married??
W
?How young is seven?? he replied. ?How young is eight?? ?The more they stay in school, the safer they are.? You see, child marriage is technically illegal in Tanzania. But in Maasai communities where tradition reigns and poverty means the struggle of another mouth to feed, it is common for girls to be married to a much older man before her tenth birthday. These parents often feel they are doing the best thing for their child by providing her with a home. What they don?t realize is how harmful an early marriage is not only to their daughter, but to their entire community. Studies show that ?the younger the bride, the more likely she will experience
domestic violence, contract HIV, develop complications from pregnancies, or even die during childbirth.? (www.one.org.) Early marriage is also shown to have a negative impact on the educational opportunities of her children, continuing the cycle of poverty, abuse, and exploitation in continuing generations (www.GirlsNotBrides.org ). These partners I spoke with have persevered for years in their attempts to protect and rescue these girls from the harm of an early marriage. Their most effective project began twelve years ago when they opened a small school in a village called Engikaret. If a girl is enrolled in school, suddenly the government officials have a way to track -35-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
electricity. Many of the teachers and staff have lived with their families in one or two rooms since the school opened. Others commute several hours back home to their families on the weekends, just because they believe so strongly in the mission of educating children so they have the same opportunity and protection in life. Every girl deserves the opportunity to discover her interests and skills, and the with the progress of a young Maasai girl in the middle of the African bush. Later, if she
knowledge to live a healthy and positive life
is taken out of school to be married off, this gives the authorities notice and proof to step in. Through this small school, hundreds of girls have been educated through eighth grade, or about age 14. They dream of someday having a secondary school open so these girls can continue to learn and realize their full potential. The journey hasn?t been easy. Robert and Catherine, two school administrators I
within her family and community. These local champions are persevering in the work of justice to create a healthy and hopeful future for those in their own backyard. ?The changes I see keep me moving,? Catherine told me. ?That is what makes me love to work here. I am not working here because I receive a lot of money, or because I love this place--not at all. Physically, I would not choose to be here.?
spoke with while in Engikaret, were honest about the challenges they have faced to come up with sustainable funding and basic needs such as clean water and
?What is making me love living here, it is because of what God is doing here, every day.?
Jenna Funkhouser livesin Portland, Oregon with her husband and a handful of mostly alive houseplants. She studied Creative Writing at Corban University and loves exploring the power of storytelling in giving dignity and advocating for change. She currently works in communications for local anti-trafficking nonprofits. Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
-36-
B OOK
REV I EW by Rach ael William s-M ejr i
RADHIKA'S STORY ave you ever wondered if there
act like a brother to her. This brother was
could be something more horrific
kind enough to find her a job with a
than being trafficked for sex? It is
wealthy family living in the city. After a
hard to believe that someone could live
round of medical checks, the young girl was
something more atrocious, or that anything
accepted and even pampered by the family.
could possibly compare to such barbarity.
She was even more excited when she
Yet a little girl from Nepal has experienced
learned she was to go on vacation with
just that ? the horrors of sex trafficking
them to India.
alongside other cruel ventures that have
After waking up in an Indian hospital, she
left her scarred for life.
soon
Radhika grew up in the Nepal countryside,
trafficked for her organs. The horrific
a member of a humble, yet high caste
ordeal was not soothed by the amount of
H
family. As a young teen, she left for Kathmandu to work selling flowers in a modest
stand
among the throngs of
people. Her charm and beauty not only drew those who wished to buy flowers, but
learned
she
had
actually
been
money paid to her, as she calculated the shame it would bring on her family. However, she had little time to think of her family as she found herself married into the very family who had helped cut out a part of her body and soul. Her abusive
also others who wished to buy and sell far
husband stayed very little time with her
more.
before fleeing their home and leaving her
The
unsuspecting
girl,
raised
in
an
with his mother and their new child.
extremely conservative home, accepted the
Although Radhika had already experienced
attentions of a young man who wished to
far more than most people would in a -37-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
lifetime, her journey was only beginning.
The story of young Radhika is one that
Even though she was back in Kathmandu,
challenges one to push their thoughts to
and had even connected with her older
the very height of what is unthinkable.
sister, she would soon find herself back in
Does such cruelty exist in the world? Can
India, experiencing the horrors of the sex
someone actually survive such atrocities
industry. A long ordeal would play out that
and live? I hope her story will inspire you to
included love and rescue, brutality and
also be a voice for justice for all the
violence,
innocent
evil
humanity,
and
a
final
perseverance that would eventually lead
lives
that
desperately
need
someone to protect and accept them.
her to see her homeland again. Yet Radhika, exhausted from the grotesque use of her body, and still without recovery from
her
operation,
had
still
more
mountains to climb. As a member of one of the highest religious castes in the country, she had been forced to marry someone from a much lower caste. Would
Click on
t he pict u r e t o pu r ch ase Radhika's
the shame of her arrival, and her ?tainted? son cause the unthinkable rejection from
Story
her own family?
Rachael Williams-Mejri is the founding editor of Grace as
Justice (now Voices of Justice) and remains a regular contributor. A fierce freedom fighter with a love for the written word, Rachael continues to educate and inspire our readers with reviews on a vast array of books related to the subject of human trafficking. You can catch one of her insightful reviews in almost every issue.
-39-
Voices of Justice, Vol 4, Issue 2
Follow VOJ: Click HERE t o su bscr ibe t o Voices of Ju st ice
w w w.voicesof ju st ice.or g