September 20, 2015
I’m starting this ten minutes to midnight so in
essence it will be the post for tomorrow. But since the issue spoke to me today
I’m flagging it with a September 20th date.
Prostitution. The way it is treated today only protects
the pimp and enables him to sexually violate the woman and her basic human
rights. The way it is portrayed in the movies it is usually sensationalized. Or
even in books or other types of media.
Women in this institution when arrested often beg the
arresting officers to get them out of ‘this’. Ask yourself when see a woman
plying in this trade, how old is she? Because she looks young. Why would a girl
with all the hopes and dreams of any girl in America end up here.
Which brings me to this. Human trafficking.
Women and girls are abducted every day and often fall
off the grid because they were labeled as ‘troubled’, ‘runaways’, or somehow
less than in society. Don’t get me wrong. These kinds of things often happen to
young boys as well. But I’m speaking strictly from a female perspective.
Our culture has the tendency to say these segment of
society are the throw aways. The less thans. The ones somehow least deserving
of our protection.
There are those who enter this profession willingly.
These are not the women I’m talking about. But again in a sense I am.
A writer for the Chicago Sun Times was quoted as
saying sex workers can’t be raped. The hell they can’t. They still have the
right to refuse service. But his belief isn’t exactly an isolated incident. It
speaks to a broad assumption about those working in the sex industry.
I personally know people who have worked in said
industry. Not as a prostitute but someone who had an up close and personal
relationship with it. She saw others fall prey to its dangers and pitfalls. It’s
unfortunate because these people’s lives have as much value as hers, as mine,
and as yours.
Those working for a pimp often fell in with him when
he was posing as a possible boyfriend. And she was already ‘in love’ when he ‘asked’
or more likely ‘ordered’ her to have sex with one of his ‘friends’. And then
took most of the money from the paying customer.
There needs to be an agency that goes after the pimps
who do this. Instead of a sting designed to catch women working the streets
where they will be arrested, thrown in jail, make bail and be back out plying
the oldest profession in the book.
Another agency still that takes the women wanting out
of this because they’ve either been a part of human trafficking scheme or just
want out and give them protection, counseling, healthcare, vocational rehab.
And if they are traumatized by their experiences therapy for what is most
likely PTSD or anxiety or any myriad of psychological issues. Disability should
made available to them as well.
These women need to cared for. These women need to be
heard. These women need to be shown their lives have value just because they
are living, breathing human beings. They need to feel safe and protected and
know that have basic human rights to a life of whatever it is they please.
Until Next Time
Amy
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