Designed Sustainability

It's not every day that you find out that the women's issues we talk about here on the blog are affecting people we actually know.  Everyone thinks that these things just don't happen to normal people, that it's unbelievable when you hear someone say they've been involved (to any extent) in some of the most brutal crimes referenced here.

So imagine my shock when I found out that a friend of mine was partially responsible for finding victims of human trafficking - right here in Los Angeles, CA.

Seven years ago, "Jenny" had finished a late dinner and was walking home from her car, parked three blocks away from her apartment.  A van pulled up just as she was crossing the street.  Five men jumped out, grabbed her.  She struggled, but ceased fighting when she felt a prick in her arm and lost sensation in her limbs.  When she awoke, she was groggy, locked in a room, wearing skimpy clothing.

I think we all know what happened next.

She and another woman were held captive and sold in a brothel for three months.  The location of the brothels changed almost weekly, making it hard for anyone to find them.  Luckily, these two victims had friends in the city, friends who were looking for them.  Friends who had more of a problem with waiting for action from governmental agencies than with meting out vigilante justice.

Eventually, Jenny and the other woman were rescued.  Those directly involved with their capture and torture were punished.  And a certain organized gang stopped running that operation for a little while.

A friend of mine helped find Jenny.  While I don't recommend his particular course of behavior as the best way to help victims of human trafficking (there are legal ramifications that could befall even the most careful vigilante, you know), the fervor with which he fought for their safety is admirable.  And maybe that's what we need more of in our lives:  people who believe so deeply in justice and honor that they're willing to do just about anything for it.

So stand up, take action.  You don't need to wield a weapon to save a life, but you do need to make your voice heard.  Here are some links to get you started:

HumanTrafficking.org

National Human Trafficking Resource Center

Polaris Project