National Human Trafficking Awareness Month

September is/was National Human Trafficking Awareness month.  I know what your thinking, John, its October already, your a bit late.  And I will agree with you, I am a bit late on this, however the topic is of great importance.  I have blogged about Human Trafficking before (http://www.ccstoday.com/page14902930.aspx) but thought it was important to discuss it again and in greater detail.  Some may ask, why is this important to me? that stuff doesn't happen in Springfield, MO or here in the states! I don't have to worry about that with my child!  However, it happens right in your backyard.  Ky3 news reported several weeks ago about a guy in Lebanon who kidnapped a special needs child and held her for years for torture and sex (http://www.ky3.com/news/ktvi-kirkwood-resident-accused-sexual-torture-090910,0,6889609.story).

Now, I am not bringing these things up to cause panic or to scare you.  But we need to be more aware of whats taking place around us in our neighborhood and our community.  I have seen teens in my office that are engaging in behaviors that could make them targets for sex traffickers.  Those who have runaway, for example, 1 in 3 within 48 hours will be lured in prostitution.  

Did you know:

• That there are more people in slavery today then in any other time in history
• Last year, Slave Traders made more money than Google, Nike, and Starbucks combined
• The United States is the second highest destination area in the world for trafficked women
• Cases of sex trafficking have been reported in all 50 states and in more than 90 cities in the United States
• 13 is the average age of entry into pornography and prostitution in the USA. 

These stats are unbelievable to me.  I cannot imagine that this takes place on a daily basis, right in my town and community.  I cannot understand the thought process where these people think that holding a child captive for slavery and sex is acceptable.
I am listing several different websites that are working to help make people aware of this important topic and helping to save women and children from their captors.

http://www.free-international.org/index.htm

http://exoduscry.com

http://www.sharedhope.org

http://notinmyyard.org 

http://www.nefariousdocumentray.com

I know personally some of the people working with these organizations and if you want more information or who to contact to get involved please let me know.  These people would also be able to do presentations for your church, group or other meeting.

Questions to ask yourself:

Do I know my neighborhood/community and the people in it?
Have I talked to my children and teens about sex and sexual boundaries?
Do my kids know the signs of someone whose trying to traffic them?
Am I praying for my children and teens constantly?

Image: Boaz Yiftach / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Smart phone, Smart teen

Iphone 4, Droid X, Samsung Galaxy, these are some of the newest, coolest phones on the market.  These phones are called smart phones because they do a lot of smart things, however, its still up to the user to use them smartly.  Many of you have either read about these phones or even use them yourselves.  Many of the kids and teens I see are also using these phones, however they are using them for a whole other purpose then just making calls.  I have been seeing more and more adolescents who are in trouble for texting inappropriate things to others, some who have taken pictures of themselves in compromising situations, even worse, some are sending those pictures to others, while others are receiving them.  Using their phones for this purpose is called sexting: the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photographs, primarily between mobile phones.  Not only is this inappropriate but in many cases the teens sending and receiving these messages have been charged with distributing or receiving child pornography.  Quite a serious charge!
    Some of you after reading this might want to check your adolescents phone, or block their ability to text.  And while I would not blame you, hold off on doing that just yet.  I would propose that in order to help keep your relationship with your teen intact, that another approach be used.  One using words...
 
1)  Have you talked to and continue to talk to your child and or teen about sex and sexuality?
2)  Are they aware of and practice sexual boundaries with members of the opposite sex?  
3) Do they know the seriousness of sexting and the consequences?

Here's a link to a survey that states about 20% of teens are sexting, that's 1 in 5!  This link also gives more information for parents.      http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/sextech/PDF/SexTech_Summary.pdf

Character Ed

  Many of us over the last couple years have been exposed to news stories about pro-sports players, celebrities and high profile politicians and religious leaders who have acted "out of character".  Once caught they go on TV, on the internet, or on twitter and apologize.  There's nothing that bothers me more, then leaders and people who others look up to, consistently act as if they lack character.  We're facing a character crisis!!
     Springfield's Chamber of Commerce started a community program called Character Ed.  Many of you have probably heard of it from your kids and teens because they have learned about it in school.  However, Character Ed is not just a school program, its for organizations, churches, and businesses throughout the community.  Springfield wants to be a Community of Character.  Thats a lofty goal, but does character come from a community program?  Where do our kids and teens learn character?  The Bible even talks about character, "train up a child in the way he or she should go and when they are old they will not depart."  Jesus talked about what we would now call character traits, he taught them in His parables.
The questions then....
1) What character traits are you showing your children, your teens, your family?
2) Could your son or daughter watch your life on TV and be proud of what they see?
3) In what ways can you teach your children character so it gets lived out in everyday life?

By the way, Septembers Character Ed word is:  Respect

Why It all begins with YOUth

Welcome to my new blog.  The new name represents the importance of YOU in a young persons life, and how change just may begin with YOU.  I created this blog as a way to provide interaction with those of YOU who have young people in your life.  If we are going to have an impact on our kids and teens, it will come from YOU.  YOU the parent, YOU the youth pastor, YOU the grandparent, YOU the teacher.  YOU will have an impact, YOU will listen, YOU guide and direct, YOU will pray and sacrifice to make their lives better.  It all begins with YOU, it all begins with youth.

I hope to share with you resources, information and tips in order to help you and the youth in your life.  Please feel free to ask questions or leave comments and feedback.  I look forward to hearing from you.

"I am here for you"