In 2015, I first got involved with addressing sex trafficking through Out of Darkness, an anti-sex trafficking ministry in Atlanta. For the next six years I was involved with doing rescues and helping lead outreaches in the clubs and on the streets. During this time, I saw firsthand the importance of getting men involved and ministering to the men in the clubs and in the streets. While talking to the pimps and buyers on the streets, God showed me how important it is to focus on these men. But in other places around the country, there hasn’t been much focus on the side that drives the market. That’s why I find that I am incredibly lucky to work for an organization that truly wants to address the Demand. It’s not just paying lip service. We are 100% sold on addressing Demand in the Upstate.
So, what is Demand and why is it important that we address Demand? Shouldn’t we be using our resources to help victims of exploitation? Shouldn’t we be using our resources to educate the public on red flags of human trafficking? Yes and yes. But it is also imperative that we address the Demand. If not, we will continually be stuck in the cycle of sex buying and trauma. If we are serious about ending sex trafficking in the Upstate then addressing Demand is very important. When talking about Demand we are simply talking about those driving the market. We are talking about the men buying women, men, and children for sex. We are talking about addressing the issues that cause men to buy. As long as there are men willing to buy sex, then there will be those looking to sell women, men, and children. Knowing that, there is no way we cannot focus on Demand.
Now that you know what Demand is and why it is important that we address Demand, let me tell you what our goals are for the Demand program. Picture a three-legged stool. All three legs are equally important. First, we want to educate men on the dangers of Pornography. Pornography is often seen as harmless until you dig deeper and see the dangerous effects it has on those within the industry and those watching it too. Lives and relationships are destroyed.
To educate the men we have created a PowerPoint presentation that we can take into churches and anywhere else men are meeting that looks at the danger of pornography. Our second leg focuses on the sex buyers themselves. We have created another PowerPoint presentation that goes into detail what a sex buyer really looks like, why they buy, about how pornography plays a part into buying, and what would deter men from buying. Lastly, our third leg focuses on legislation. We can help to change the laws when it comes to men buying. We can strengthen the penalty for men buying. For instance, right now in the state of South Carolina the fine for solicitation is only $200. Creating laws that make men think twice about buying should be our goal when it comes to legislation. We have the power to do that. Educating men on the dangers of Pornography, addressing Sex Buyers, and creating stronger laws against those who would buy is our three-tiered plan for creating a Demand Program that will truly see change in the Upstate.
Providing services for Survivors is important. Educating the public on the red flags of sex trafficking is important. And now you know how important addressing Demand is too. If we dare to dream about seeing sex trafficking end in the Upstate, then addressing Demand is where we must start.
