Half the Sky

Last night I watched the first part of Half the Sky on PBS. Click on the link to see the episode and read about the project and the remarkable people who put it together and the women whose stories they film.

As a life coach I am constantly amazed at the women I meet - their grace, courage, innate intelligence, perseverance, resilience, faith, and dignity. Half the Sky blew me away! I work with sexually abused and traumatized women. The sad truth is, if you are a female in this world, you are at risk. Tragically and unbelievably, the jeopardy commences at younger and younger ages. A two year old girl was rescued from a brothel in Cambodia. The blood covered clothes looked like they belonged to a doll as we witnessed the horror of them being swept out onto the street.

Lest you think these atrocities only occur in third world countries - think again. There are NO boundaries for this evil. NO lines of geography, race, economics, education, or belief system. I am in awe of the people who dedicate themselves and risk their lives to rescue and serve these girls and women. It is massively important and urgent work.

But, here's what MUST happen to stem the tide of abuse, trauma, exploitation, and murder. We MUST stop the pimps and johns and all who perpetrate this heinous industry. We MUST change societal beliefs that say this is acceptable behavior. We MUST enforce laws against these crimes. We MUST raise the value of human life - all life, but certainly the beauty and value of our precious girls.

If you are reading this thinking you can't really do anything to affect change...here are some things to think about. If you have a negative mindset about "whores" or "prostitutes" as sluts or sex addicts, change it. I used to think they chose that life style; that they wanted it. They don't. Most have been abused as children - far too  many ARE children. The average of entry into "the life" in the U. S. is 13. No girl chooses to be beaten, isolated, imprisoned, or service dozens of men a day. They are tricked, coerced, and broken into "the life".

I spoke to a mother whose 15 y.o. daughter was befriended by her pimp at a local mall. They know how to "groom" these girls to trust them as boyfriends. She was ultimately taken to Florida and calls home occasionally. She is 19 now with two children and such a deep trauma bond to her captor and such a terror of being discovered and beaten, that she won't tell her parents how to find her.

Strip clubs and pornography exploit women. Disengage. Pre-wedding and other parties with inappropriate sexual behavior have become socially acceptable. Rethink.Your sons, grandsons, nephews, students, and neighbor boys must be educated about how to treat girls. They are meant to be protectors and respecters of women. Make this subject acceptable and open dialogue. Only by bringing the dark to the light and ending the demand, will we cease having to rescue girls and women.
Laus Deo,
Beth