Monday, May 18, 2015

My Op Ed's with Michael Reagan the son of former President Ronald Reagan and actress Jane Wyman and a survivor of child abuse and child pornography.

My Op Ed's with Michael Reagan the son of former President Ronald Reagan and actress Jane Wyman and a survivor of child abuse and child pornography.




Michael Reagan speaks out about child abuse Communities Digital News



Michael Reagan has beaten the odds by surviving childhood sexual abuse, and when asked what gave him the strength to avoid the self-destructive path many take, there is no hesitation. “God has given me the strength to survive and my wife Colleen is my North Star.

Michael Reagan speaks out about child abuse Read more here:

 
The staggering cost of silence: child abuse victims and stolen innocence (Fox News)

The CDC estimates that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18. Worldwide 550 million children are survivors of child abuse according to the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare.
April is National Child Abuse Awareness month and it is an important time for everyone to reacquaint himself or herself with the information that is necessary to recognize the signs of child abuse and stop predators before another child suffers.

The staggering cost of silence: child abuse victims and stolen innocence

By Jerome Elam and Michael Reagan
Read more here:



The Super Bowl and Sex Trafficking 
by Michael Reagan and Jerome Elam

Sex trafficking has become a stealth parasite that attaches itself to major sporting events, taking advantage of a large number of fans and the demand for illicit sex. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott echoed the stunning revelation, gripping so many with his statement about the 2011 Super Bowl in Dallas: "It's commonly known as the single largest human trafficking incident in the United States."

The Super Bowl and Sex Trafficking
by Michael Reagan and Jerome Elam
Read more here:
http://townhall.com/columnists/michaelreagan/2014/01/23/the-super-bowl-and-sex-trafficking-n1783018


Monsters Hiding in Plain Sight by Michael Reagan and Jerome Elam
 
In the darkest recesses of our minds we have always known that monsters exist. It is only when we are involuntarily thrust into an unfolding human tragedy that shocks our senses and devastates our hearts that we truly acknowledge their presence.
Our collective eyes have been opened by the discovery of monsters lurking at Penn State University in the form of Jerry Sandusky, in an Ohio house of horrors run by Ariel Castro, and the list goes on. But have we as a society drifted into a false sense of security with the removal of these harbingers of evil or do we realize that the next monster is just waiting to strike?

Monsters Hiding in Plain Sight

By Michael Reagan and Jerome Elam
Read more here:



Child Trafficking Increases at Alarming Rate

By Jerome Elam and Michael Reagan

On city streets throughout America a battle is being waged for the soul of humanity, and it is taking place right in front of our eyes.
As darkness descends, the fading light lays bare an open wound in the fabric of society. The most vulnerable among us are being offered up as prey for those with unspeakable appetites. Children are being trafficked sexually in this country at an alarming rate and right now 300,000 are at risk of being prostituted.

Child Trafficking Increases at Alarming Rate

By Jerome Elam and Michael Reagan
Read more here:



Innocence Stolen and Unbridled Abuse

By Michael Reagan and Jerome Elam  
Victims of child pornography are subjected to a continuous cycle of abuse, and as each image is viewed, their innocence is stolen all over again.
It has been over 60 years since that day and still the painful memory of the man who stole my innocence haunts me. It became the secret that quietly devoured every moment of happiness that occurred in my life and the burden I would bear to protect my parents. I was terrified that if they found out about the pictures it would devastate them. I blamed myself and internalized anger that no child should ever experience.

Innocence Stolen and Unbridled Abuse

By Michael Reagan and Jerome Elam 
Read more here:


My article with Michael Reagan, the son of former president Ronald Reagan and actress Jane Wyman published on Boz Tchividjian’s blog at the Religion News Service. 
"Disappearing boys


My latest article with Michael Reagan published on Boz Tchividjian’s blog at the Religion News Service. Boz Tchividjian is an advocate for victims of sexual violence and the grandson of Billy Graham. After working as a prosecutor on sexual abuse cases he started GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), an organization devoted to investigating Christian institutions and improving their responses to people who report sexual abuse in the ranks.
My article with Michael Reagan, the son of former president Ronald Reagan and actress Jane Wyman published on Boz Tchividjian’s blog at the Religion News Service. 
"Disappearing boys
Read more here: 


 

Financial and Legal Resources for Victims of Sex Trafficking

Abolitionist William Wilberforce said, “You can choose to look the other way, but you can never say again you did not know.”




For Victims of Sex Trafficking:

 Thistle Farms

Thistle Farms employs almost 60 Magdalene residents or graduates. While working at Thistle Farms, women learn skills in manufacturing, packaging, marketing and sales, and administration. It is a supportive workplace where women acquire the skills they need to earn a living wage. Employees have the opportunity to put a percentage of their earnings in a matched savings account provided by Magdalene. Through Thistle Farms, the women of Magdalene gain much needed job skills, and learn responsibility and cooperation. Thistle Farms is housed in an 11,000 square feet sales and manufacturing facility. Thistle Stop Cafe, and the paper and sewing studios are also in the same building. We are committed to growing in order to employ more women and have greater opportunities to share our stories of healing on a larger scale. 

  Issues Affecting Women Programme (IAW)

In the Issues Affecting Women Programme (IAW), we fund two priority areas (pillars): movement building and ending violence against women. Within the first pillar, we fund initiatives that promote movement building through women's funds, "anchor” women’s organisations and networks. Within the second pillar, we focus more specifically on: human trafficking and exploitation; intra-familial violence; and violence against women that takes place in situations of crisis.

FULL-RIDE SCHOLARSHIP FOR SEX TRAFFICKING VICTIMS IN THE WORKS AT CHRISTIAN COLLEGE


Sabre sets up first-ever educational scholarship program for human trafficking survivors -

 See more at: http://www.sabre.com/newsroom/sabre-sets-up-first-ever-educational-scholarship-program-for-human-trafficking-survivors/#sthash.qssMsbwW.dpuf


University of Michigan Free Legal Services for Human Trafficking Victims:  

The HTC is the first legal clinic solely dedicated to human trafficking in the United States. It offers students at the University of Michigan Law School the opportunity to gain practical skills in the legal fields related to helping victims of human trafficking. The students in the clinic also run community outreach and education initiatives and conduct research about the state of laws relating to human trafficking. Not only do the students gain valuable advocacy skills, they have been and will continue to be instrumental in protecting victims' rights, in shaping the policy conversation, and in drafting the language used in amendments to trafficking laws.

How To Identify A Human Trafficking Victim

•     Seems anxious, fearful or paranoid.  Avoids eye contact.
•    Tearfulness or signs of depression.
•    Unexplained bruises or cuts or other signs of physical abuse.
•    Appears to be in a relationship with someone who is dominating.
•    Never is alone and/or always has someone translating or answering questions on their behalf.
•    Not in control of their own finances.
•    Presents with secrecy or unable to answer questions about where they live.
•    Inconsistent details when telling their story.
•    Has no identification such as a license, passport or other ID documents.
    Inability to leave their job or residence.  Says they cannot schedule appointments.
    Being a recent arrival to the United States and does not speak English.
    Is under 18 and providing commercial sex acts.  Or at any age unwillingly providing commercial sex acts.
    Is afraid of law enforcement or receiving help from an outside entity.

If you can find an opportunity to get he/she alone, ask him/her the following screening questions:
     Can you leave your job or house when you want?
    Where did you get those bruises or is anyone hurting you?
    Do you get paid for your employment?  Is it fair?  How many hours do you work?
    (If foreign national) How did you get to the U.S. and is it what you expected?  Are you being forced to do anything you don't want to do?
    Are you or your family being threatened?
    Do you live with or near your employer?  Does your employer provide you housing?  Are there locks on doors or windows from outside?
    Do you owe debt to anyone?

If you suspect they are a victim of human trafficking,take the following actions:
    Ask the person if you can help them find a safe place to go immediately.
     If they need time, create an action plan with them to get to a safe place when they are ready.
     Call and make a report to the human trafficking hotline at 1.888.3737.888.  The hotline has language capabilities, so any individual can call directly if they choose.




The Department of Homeland Security online training about how to spot the signs of and report suspected human trafficking:

The Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign is now offering online training about how to spot the signs of and report suspected human trafficking. The training is aimed at the general public, the Federal workforce, first responders, and airline employees and focuses on:
    •    Defining human trafficking
    •    Differentiating between human trafficking and human smuggling
    •    Recognizing populations vulnerable to human trafficking
    •    Recognizing indicators of human trafficking   
A glossary and additional resources also are provided. View the Human Trafficking Awareness Training on the Department of Homeland Security's website:
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/training/dhs_awareness_training_fy12/launchPage.htm


Jerome Elam
Staff Writer and Columnist for Communities Digital News http://www.commdiginews.com
Read my column here:
A Heart Without Compromise; Advocating for Children:
http://www.commdiginews.com/column/a-heart-without-compromise-advocating-for-children-2/  


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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

Always remember that you are never alone and that others have walked the healing path before you and are here to lift you up! Also remember that as survivors and victims, alone we may be strong but together we are unbeatable!

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