Day 1--Yesterday was Friday, Today is Saturday, And Sunday comes after...warrrds!

       Saturday, March 19, 2011

  

           100,000-300,000 children are forced into prostitution each year (NCMEC)
                       The average age of entry into prostitution is 13 years old (SHI)  
Shocking statistics? Those are just two facts that we learned today on our ASB-D.C. trip!!!


          Today was the first day of our ASB trip in D.C.! For those who are not too familiar with the service we are engaged with - our group is learning about the heavy issues and complexities of human trafficking.  Even though our "road trip" was probably only forty minutes long (compared to some trips driving for 12), we were already very hungry and tired upon arriving at the hostel.  We played various icebreakers, including two truths and one lie, false identity, and the weather-color-animal-music game (?). The games helped us bond more and get to know each other better. Our group is AWESOME!
          Around 7 o'clock, we had our first home-made feast together as a group. There was pasta with ground beef and sauce and a large bowl of delicious salad (props to our first night chefs: Hyo and Zan).  Afterwards, we watched a documentary, called Very Young Girls, that was about a group of girls, from New York City, who were involved with domestic minor sex trafficking.
          In the film, we meet teenaged girls at different stages of transitioning out of their situation.  Some have been so psychologically manipulated by their pimps that they feel compelled to return, while  others have successfully broken with their pasts. As we come to know these girls better, they emerge as well-rounded individuals full of unexpected laughter and insight.  One element the film uncovers is a videotape - confiscated by police - of two pimps recording their activities with the intent of making a reality television show and another chilling element showing the buyers, or johns, being sentenced to a 6 month "school" instead of jail for purchasing sex.   The movie revealed very profound issues and perspectives.  It was shocking to see not only what the victims have to live through, but also the mindset of some of those same victims who end up falling back into "the life" or "the game." The documentary was followed by a deep group discussion, in which we shared our thoughts and feelings on the documentary itself and the broader problems of sex trafficking.


This week is going to be quite insightful - we look forward to the learning experience.


.~'~. Jen & Megan .~'~.


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