MEET JENNISUE JESSEN, Ph.D. - Member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking

HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN PLAIN SIGHT - ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN AT RISK

By Pam Bales

It is a hard subject. It is a huge issue in our world. It victimizes innocent girls, boys, and adults. But the real facts are surprising, devastating, and gut-wrenching. Hollywood’s portrayal of sex trafficking offers misconceptions that contribute to an unrealistic view of what and how this is really happening.

That’s why, if you read one article today, read this one. Take a moment to hear Jennisue N. Jessen, Ph.D.–a strong, compassionate, passionate survivor and learn how we, as individuals, can really make a difference in countering human sex trafficking.

Jessen was trafficked by her step-grandfather from 4 to 17 years–in plain sight. She is not from a poor family, but one considered affluent in her town. She was raised in a traditional two-parent family, straight-A student, cheerleader, yearbook editor, but also the child of an alcoholic and a victim of sex trafficking by a family member.

Jessen states the startling statistic about sex trafficking right off the bat. “A family member or intimate partner does the vast majority of sex trafficking, across the world and in the U.S. (In 2020 in the U.S., that statistic was 31%, as reported by Polaris Project in an analysis of data from the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline.)

“I grew up in the era of ‘stranger danger,’” she explains. “We still tell our children not to talk to strangers, but here is the problem–we don’t talk to them about ‘tricky’ people.” Jessen explains that traffickers are rarely the scary-looking man on the street–they are your next door neighbor, your aunt, an older classmate. “Tricky” people are in every industry and across all socio-economic levels, she says.

Many trafficked children live at home or in foster care, says Jessen. “Another type of person to beware of is the ‘secret keeper.’ Children do not have a framework of awareness to understand what is happening to them and when they are told to keep the secret–they do. They think what is happening is their fault,” explains Jessen.

Exploitation does not happen in a vacuum, she says.“Traffickers come in all shapes, sizes, and professions.” Sometimes traffickers are women–and women can be complicit and complacent in the exploitation of another–sometimes due to their own trauma or experience, notes Jessen.

“My husband and I were working in counter-trafficking and spent eight years in Asia fostering momma-baby sets of exploited young women. Many traffickers in Asia were women in the red-light districts,” explains Jessen. “These beautiful, dressed-up young women would drive in expensive cars to the small villages and recruit 11- to 13-year-old girls. The girls wanted to go to the city to be like these women.”

During her time in Asia, as Jessen helped these girls heal, she realized how powerful it was to share her own experience and to let others know that the trauma they endured is not the end of their story. “It’s a hard story to tell and to write. It’s one thing to share my trauma with a person who has been victimized and see them heal, survive, become strong. That was wonderful,” Jessen admits. “But sharing all of my story–out there in the world–was extremely vulnerable. Even my husband didn’t know all the details.”

Jessen realized that keeping her story locked away and not sharing it would be a waste of hope and possibility. So, on Jessen’s birthday in 2016, her story was published. “The Lucky One” is a chilling account of her story of being trafficked as a child, and her journey to a life of freedom and then a crusader in counter-trafficking. (All proceeds from the sale of her book go to fight human trafficking through her NGO (non-governmental organization), Compass 31.

WHAT CAN WE DO AS INDIVIDUALS TO HELP STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

“Be aware,” emphasizes Jessen. “When you are aware, you see things. When you see something that doesn’t feel right–don’t intervene personally. Just call toll-free number, National Human Trafficking Crisis Hotline Number: 1-888- 373-7888. It’s anonymous and it is their job to follow-up,” she emphasizes.

But also, be aware of your children and their friends–one in five children have been or will be sexually assaulted, cites Jessen. “Odds are that one of your child’s friends is looking for someone to see them,” she says. “ See them. Ask better questions like, ‘What made you feel powerful, unsafe, or loved today?’”

“If a child ever expresses resistance about a person, listen to them. If he or she shies away, take the opportunity to teach physical autotomy,” explains Jessen. “Teaching children respect for their body from an early age gives them a better understanding and more power to speak up.”

Jennisue N. Jessen, Ph.D., is a member of the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking and a professional speaker. She founded Compass 31 as well as a skincare line, Echoes of Eden (www.echoesofeden.life), which also sends all profits to counter-trafficking programs. To learn more about Jessen’s story and how you can help combat sex trafficking, please go to www.compass31.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA RECRUITMENT

The Polaris Project found a significant increase in the proportion of potential victims in 2020 through social media recruitment (120%). There was a 125% increase in reports of recruitment on Facebook over the previous year and a 95% increase on Instagram.

PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN BY TALKING TO THEM

Child sex trafficking is a lucrative crime. Traffickers seek young victims both to service the demand for sex with those who look young, and because these victims are easier to manipulate and control.

Five things that parents can do to help prevent their children from being lured into sex trafficking:

1. SET A HIGH STANDARD OF LOVE WITHIN YOUR HOME

The way you define and express love shapes your children’s self-image, confidence and opinions of future relationships. Help them distinguish between real love and empty promises or cheap gifts.

2. TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted every two minutes, of which 29% are between the ages of 12 and 17. Let your children know that they can talk to you if anyone has or ever does hurt them. Don’t assume they have not been hurt by sexual violence before.

3. TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT SEX TRAFFICKING

Discuss ways children and teens are targeted for sex trafficking. Let them know that traffickers specifically try to woo young girls and boys with promises of a better life– whether it’s promises of love and attention or promises of nice things and trips. Traffickers can be male or female, even classmates because traffickers may use kids to recruit other kids.

4. TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE DANGERS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

It is important to provide practical safety tips: don’t share personal information on the internet; don’t accept Facebook requests from unknown people; NEVER share naked photos of yourself with anyone; and tell a parent or a trusted adult if you feel threatened or uncomfortable online.

5. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR CHILDREN

Monitor your children’s social media accounts. Be alert to relationships with much older people, or friendships that tend to isolate your child from other friends or family. Notice if your child has new clothing, makeup products, cell phones, or other items, and ask how they acquired them

RESOURCES YOU CAN USE TO HELP COUNTER TRAFFICKING:

• National Human Trafficking Crisis Hotline Number: 888-373-7888

• The Blue Campaign: www.dhs.gov/ blue-campaign/community-leaders

• Keeping Kids Safe Online: https:// www.wiredhuman.org/

• Colorado Report Card on Child and Youth Sex Trafficking

• Compass 31: www.compass31.com

This story is part of a year long series in NORTH regarding the dangers and criminal enterprise of Human Trafficking. We are grateful to Dr. Jessen for sharing her story and for advocating for those who cannot help themselves.

To see previous editions of this topic in NORTH, please visit: our digital bookshelf: http://digitalnorth.coloradomediagroup.com/bookcase/xhhco

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