Written by: Jamie Lea Perez
Faces of young victims were painted as the lyrics to “Oh Freedom” were sung to the audience. The moving post Civil War, African American song reminded the listeners that worldwide slavery has yet to see an end.
The PBS television documentary “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” was screened Tuesday with a follow-up discussion in the USU Beach Auditorium. The issues of sex trafficking were discussed, exposing and informing people about the brutal truths of prostitution around the world.
As speaker Doctor Thema Bryant Davis took to the stage, she compared sex trafficking with slavery, highlighting the importance of awareness on the subject. Davis said slavery is not a hypothetical situation.
“There are slaves among us in Long Beach,” she said. She called for new millennium abolitionists; the auditorium audience.
Former trafficking slave Danielle Williams shared her story. Williams escaped the world of prostitution and the porn industry.
“I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy,” she said.
According to Davis, this modern slavery is prevalent in Long Beach and surrounding areas. People with increased vulnerability are young adults, children, runaways, people in poverty and the homeless youth.
In Cambodia, the age of trafficked girls has drastically dropped.
“What struck me the most from the film was the young ages that the girls in Cambodia are sold into trafficking and raped. This was devastating as I tried to remember what it was like being a toddler…I could never imagine having to endure what those girls endured,” said Long Beach student Tori Grigis.
Girls were being trafficked as young as 3 years old according to the documentary.
A young girl from the film who tested positive for AIDS said, “a few minutes of their pleasure killed me.”
Many of the girls saved from the brothels have fought this injustice by spreading their stories on the radio, educating men on safe sex and encouraging them to stop supporting prostitution.
The American Association of University Women joined in helping stop this crime and bringing forth justice by partnering with the film. Flo Pickett, AAUW leader, said the association “addresses equity for women and girls to move forward.”
Many young women and men have joined. Last summer, after watching the film Esperanza Aceves, ambassador of the Women’s Resource Center signed up with AAUW.
“Women are being discriminated by millions, yet they are not making the headlines,” said Aceves, sharing the unspoken truth as stated by Sheryl WuDunn.
Sex trafficking and prostitution are prevalent today. Many communities such as PBS, AAUW, and the WRC are working on bringing awareness to the public.
Davis said communities can learn more about getting involved by watching the film, volunteering at local communities, and by simply spreading the word. Talk about the sex trafficking issue with others, educate them on what a healthy relationship looks like, and change the objectification ideas of women.
AAUW will discuss the steps of sex trafficking recovery on April 3 in Long Beach with local representatives and the Long Beach Police Department.
Comments