Hi everyone. So it's still the 25th and apart from expressing how important it is to use appropriate language when discussing child trafficking and exploitation, we do have another post for you on this important topic of ACEs and Human Trafficking.
Mrs Harmony Grillo, a Survivor Leader and founder of the nonprofit Treasures, recently did a TEDx Talk titled, The Oldest Oppression in the World. As you can expect, she is referring to the sexual exploitation of primarily women and girls in diverse arms of the trade in sex.
Please access the TEDx Talk at the link on her website - https://harmonygrillo.com/tedx/
Listen intently as she shares the story of her mother's life and her own story of exploitation.
Decipher the multiple incidents of childhood adversity, abuse and unresolved trauma in their lives which preceded their respective "decisions" with regards to the sex trade.
There are numerous Caribbean women, men, boys and girls whose life histories echo Harmony's story. They grew up in poverty, exposed to sexual abuse and unwanted sexual touching at a very young age amidst a permissive culture that turns a blind eye and normalises such experiences.
Though victims, they are treated as criminals, and are branded and slandered as being disgraceful, miscreants, shameful, worthless, or an embarrassment to their families which abused and traumatised them.
It is only when we are mindful enough to look through the lens of trauma that we can see the depth of exploitation and oppression that lies at the root of the sex trade.
With that in mind, we should be better able to prevent more of our young people from falling prey to this Oppression and Exploitation.
Sadly, there's still much work to do in that respect. However, that's why you and I are here. May we never shrink back from the work at hand.
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