Good News, Bad News

It’s good to know that the sexploitation of girls hasn’t gone under the FBI’s radar, as evidenced by yesterday’s bulletin announcing “Operation Cross Country 7.”  In a three-day raid sweeping across 60 cities, 150 pimps were arrested.  The girls rescued, ages 13-17, numbered 105. 

 

Of course the bad news is that these and too many other children are being trafficked every day through the internet, casinos, sporting events and on the streets.  They’re often moved from city to city in conjunction with major sporting events like the Super Bowl and the Final Four.  I wonder how many who pay for sex with these children don’t notice they must be under age.  It’s probable that even a short time as a child prostitute would age a girl fast; however, it’s hard to imagine that the majority wouldn’t be obviously underage.  Some men with children and grandchildren the ages of these girls were likely recipients of their “services.”  It speaks volumes about the state of our culture.  You could say it’s a matter of morals.  It’s also clear to me that we have an empathy deficiency in epidemic proportions in this country. 

 

We (“we” generally speaking, referencing popular culture) devour news, are inundated with information. We stake out our positions on this and that, and go from there.  How often do we pause to wonder how a tragedy happened?  I mean before she shot him, before the father left his child to suffocate in a hot car, before the girl was recruited into prostitution?   How often do we go deeper to learn, or at least imagine, the story behind a story?  And, importantly, have we lost our ability, and the desire, to put ourselves in another person’s shoes?   I think the answer is “yes”— and there’s the empathy deficiency.  We’re losing our ability to feel our own feelings, much less put ourselves in a position to imagine the feelings and lives of others. 

 

Our culture has failed too many of these girls, girls with little sense of self-worth; they're the ones preyed upon by those seeking to exploit them.  Many of the girls come from abusive or seriously dysfunctional home environments; some are runaways, some homeless.  It’s hard to accept that we stand by, not noticing these girls in our midst.  And yet how can we know?  How can we know? 

 

Maybe we could decide to become more aware of the girls who cross our paths.  Notice those who seem less than confident, who seem to be suffering from poverty or who show the signs of abuse.  Yes, maybe we could wake up and make an effort to notice.  And then extend ourselves enough to get to know those girls, one at a time.  Or we could volunteer to mentor at-risk girls through programs sponsored by various nonprofit organizations.  It seems daunting, but that’s when it’s most important not to walk away, isn’t it?    I’m at a loss at the moment, except for remembering that awareness is key to this tragic issue and to nearly everything, isn’t it?  Just paying attention to what’s going on in the world around us. Down the street. Across town.  At the park. With our kids’ or grandchildren’s friends.  Being willing to see what we see and do something.  Some thing.

 

It’s good to know that 105 girls will be getting help through the Office of Victim Assistance and hopefully good support systems will be available to them.  They have a lot to overcome.  A  whole lot of healing to do.