How to Save a Girl Over Breakfast
November 16, 2012
Eight hundred forks and knives clank ceramic plates in
attempted quiet. Over scrambled eggs and pastries we meet police detectives,
city council members, and prostitutes who were trafficked as minors.
attempted quiet. Over scrambled eggs and pastries we meet police detectives,
city council members, and prostitutes who were trafficked as minors.
We hear stories from
- a Frogtown St. Paul girl who is propositioned on her way to
and from school each day, waiting for the bus.
- A Woodbury suburban girl who longed to feel pretty, met a
man who told her she was and loaned her money, and then asked her for favors to
his friends. “I loved him,” she stated softly, looking down.
- An inner city teen who was given the impossible choice: be
the gang prostitute or we’ll rape your mom and kill your little brother. She silently
complied for a year until her baby brother begged her to stop, guessing, “[Something’s
wrong.] You’re dying. When you die, we all die.” That gave her the courage and
determination to stand up against her attackers, come what may.
- A curvaceous blonde woman who said, “I didn’t think of
myself as a victim. I thought I was the one in charge for a while…”
Breaking Free is but one organization fighting
to rescue women and children from coerced sexual slavery. Breaking Free is run
by women who have escaped and survived “the life,” and they are passionate
about helping other women and children have a way out. Unique in that they offer
transitional and permanent housing during their programs (that include
counseling and job skills), Breaking Free is in high demand throughout the
nation, often getting calls from New York to California asking for room in
their program.
The FBI lists Minnesota as one of thirteen states that has a
high recruitment of minors, and Minneapolis-St. Paul is listed in the top ten
American cities for human trafficking. The average age of entry for prostitution
is between 12-14 years old.
high recruitment of minors, and Minneapolis-St. Paul is listed in the top ten
American cities for human trafficking. The average age of entry for prostitution
is between 12-14 years old.
While Minnesota is just my state, human trafficking and the
sex trade is rampant, and growing at a ferocious rate. Find your state and other info here.
sex trade is rampant, and growing at a ferocious rate. Find your state and other info here.
To read more, see Calls in the Dark and and the exciting, hopeful story in Cookies, Milk Shakes and Hero Truck Drivers and a super easy way to help today!
For an easy way to help right now, and on the Thanksgiving
drive to Grandma’s house, see Turkey Travelers: Heroes in Disguise and click print when prompted!
drive to Grandma’s house, see Turkey Travelers: Heroes in Disguise and click print when prompted!
Join me, friend, in fighting this. There are so many easy
ways to rescue women and children. Learn more. What have you heard about human trafficking in your area?
ways to rescue women and children. Learn more. What have you heard about human trafficking in your area?
Unbelieveable…but, I know it's true. Thank you for what you are doing.
oh friend, thank you for sharing these women's stories. it's heartbreaking. sharing on twitter.
Oh Suzanne, I agree. Thanks for stopping by, for reading, for caring for these girls with me.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Emily, I agree. I wiped tears, stood to applaud, and was amazed by the resiliency of the women whose stories I heard. Thanks for tweeting this.
Jennifer
jenniferdougan.com
Jennifer, I talked with a girl who works for them when I went to Minnesota a couple of months ago for a conference. It's eye opening. Thank you for sharing more sister, so God can use us however He chooses to lead others to Him. HAPPY THANKSGIVING eve. I'm thankful for you! ~ Blessings from Maine, Amy
I would never have guessed that Minnesota would be a problem area for this. I haven't heard much about it in our area, but it's probably here. So sad…
Jennifer this kind of ministry needs a wise women like you. It calls for discernment and a firm understand of the Word of God. Their stories are so heartbreaking. The church we are attending in Ca. is involved with this ministry. I have been thining about offering myself to help in any way I can. Take courage my sister as you work with these girls, you have the best to offer them, Jesus. Blessings
Bless you and all who are in this cause as you go about saving and breaking them free from bondage, Jen.
May God's hand move among you in this noble ministry.
Missed you a lot.
Hi Jennifer, I haven't seen you on here for a while. I hope you're well sister. ~ Love out, Amy