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Hope House Contributions
The spring 2019 Gender Media class voted to give donations to Hope House, a local domestic violence shelter. Thanks for participating in t...
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Our guest speaker, Avila alum Jennifer Green, spoke to the class about the neurobiology of patients who have experienced sexual trauma or ...
Today during the presentation I did not know what to expect at first. I had a decent idea on what human sex trafficking and prostitution was, but did not really know much about it on a deeper level. The first thing that blew my mind was how Helen traveled the world doing outreach for this issue, and it amazed me. The amount of people her programs have helped is eye opening. During the presentation she mentioned the movie Pretty Woman and how it glorified prostitution, making it seem like it empowered the woman. This made me realize that so many movies promote strip clubs and prostitution as something that is "hot" or that every woman would end up like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. This is so far from the truth and now that I realize what is going on in films, I will recognize it faster.
ReplyDeleteToday I also learned that everything about prostitution and sex trafficking and even pornography is all related in a way. Helen used the picture of a tree with rotten fruit to describe how if you try to fix just a small portion of the problem, the tree still stands and the branch will grow back. This was a great metaphor that made me understand the severity of this issue a little better.
Overall I enjoyed this presentation and now I know what Exodus Cry is and will stay up to date on any news about them or about any prostitution or sex trafficking.
- Savanna Stevens
DeleteHelen Taylor of Exodus Cry spoke to the class of Gender Media. I really did enjoy her talk about the sexual exploitation industries, sex trafficking, prostitution. It was shocking to me that when she was in London and she entered an area where she is not supposed to be. She mentioned about girls looking for a sex in trade of money and those girls are controlled by someone else, I stopped and though of the city of London how come a modern and a big city like London does have these kinds of stuff. Also, when she talked about the strip clubs, I had a different idea about those places but when the girls are forced to do something that they do not want just for living that broke my heart. Me personally never been in a strip club and I have no idea how the process goes in these suspicious places. I wonder why the Government won’t step in and make an action for the girls that forced to do something she doesn’t want to do. Also, the patrols she does and the meetings with other girls she put herself in danger just to help other I really appreciate her. Overall I was surprised that sex traffic, prostitution and sexual exploitation industries are all related to other.
ReplyDeleteTJ
What a gifted speaker is Helen Taylor. The passion she exhibited accompanied with her straightforward manner of communication truly brought to light the blatant horrors of sex trafficking and prostitution.
ReplyDeleteA phrase she utilized at the beginning of her presentation, “purchased consent” stuck out to me in the most appalling of ways. It very much set up the myths she shared with us and highlighted the total lack of choice these women have. That there could be such an imbalance of power that monetary compensation may be exchanged for the most intimate of acts is a sad reflection on humanity.
Her depiction of society’s promotion of sex trafficking, prostitution, along with other heinous acts through a tree was intriguing in its simplicity. The picture made it obvious what is to blame behind these global issues. To reduce, and eventually end, the suffering these women endure, the demand must be cut.
The Nordic Model was something new to me, I had not heard of this method before. However, upon its explanation, I was surprised to hear more countries had not adopted it. It seems the only logical way to end prostitution is by aiding the victims and punishing the solicitors.
I am glad to have had the opportunity to hear this speaker. The work she does is beyond admirable and it is encouraging to me that she, along with the rest of Exodus Cry, are combating this global epidemic with such ferocity.
-Lauren Moose
Helen Taylor mentioned many things about sex trafficking, prostitution, and the porn industry that surprised me and I learned a lot from her. I did not realize that it is as big of an issue that it is. The biggest thing that is the underlying problem is the demand for these industries. More and more people are looking for mostly women and men to take advantage of and do not realize or care that it is a problem and the women or men really do not want be doing this line of work. They are in the industry because they have either been trafficked and stay with their pimps or they were trafficked at a young age and do not know where to go after they are dropped from their pimps and they go into stripping. There is this aspect of stripping that women do it to empower themselves which is very wrong. They are there because they do not know what else to do and need help. These women are most likely to do drugs and drink heavily to numb their pain of the situation they are in. it should not be seen in a positive light when women strip to get money to pay for school or to get out of that situation. Overall, I enjoyed this presentation and learned a lot from it. I have a better view of these issues today.
ReplyDelete-Megan Manestar
DeleteI was looking forward to Helen Taylor to come speak because I love learning about sex trafficking. I loved how passionate she was about the issue. One thing that I learned was how many myths that she broke down. I really enjoyed learning about it because now I have a better understanding of how people make this issue okay. Another thing that I really enjoyed learning about was when she was explaining how prostitution and trafficking are so intertwined. I think this made so much sense to me with the drawing of the tree because it put everything together.
ReplyDeleteOne story that she told that stood out to me was when she was in the strip club and the owner asked Helen Taylor if she wanted to whip the girl with the belt. When she told us this I almost started crying because I firmly believe that no human being should be treated that way. Another story that I really enjoyed that she told was how the man came up to Helen Taylor and apologized for his actions and then he turned over his shoes. This story stood out to me because it showed me that there is still hope in this devastating issue.
Overall, I really enjoyed having her come speak to our class about such an important topic that I think we should all be educated about.
Becca Tensing
DeleteHelen Taylor was a wonderful speaker. She had so many moving stories to tell and was very informative about the subject. I learned so much from this speech and presentation.
ReplyDeleteThe first point that intrigued me was the demand. There was a drawing of a tree she used that I am still thinking about. She talked about how we can try to eliminate pimps and the men who control these women but those branches will only grow back. When we get to the roots (the demand) we solve the problem of trafficking.
She also talked about how legalization of prostitution doesn't solve the problem. We got examples like in Germany where it is legal to sell women. Because it is legal, the demand is higher and therefore women are being kidnapped from places to just keep up with the demand. Then we talked about a place like Sweden who criminalized it and how the rates of prostitution went down by 50%. As someone who was on the side of legalization it was such an eye-opening thing to hear. It made me think more about it and made me switch sides.
All and all it was an interesting time. I feel inspired to help these women and do my part to make sure this evil isn't around in the futures to come. The horrors these women and children suffer through is scary and sad. I hope it will change in the future.
Today in class, we heard from guest speaker, Helen Taylor from the organization Exodus Cry. This organization is working to put an end sex trafficking, while also reaching out to victims by providing them with the resources needed to escape the industry. I never really thought about how big of an issue sex trafficking was in not only the U.S., but in all parts of the world. Thousands of women are being held hostage in homes and selling their bodies for sex in hopes of making money. It amazed me when Helen talked about how the men completely brainwash the women into thinking that they can never leave their “master” and this is just their life now. It is important to note that a common misconception of sex trafficking and prostitution is that the women do it because they want to, and it’s their own choice. This couldn’t be further from the truth. As Helen was explaining, more often that not, women resort to this because they simply feel as though they have no other choice. It’s the only way they can make money.
ReplyDeleteI was also very moved by the efforts that Helen and her team have made to help women involved in this industry. They are courageous individuals who put themselves in difficult or awkward situations for the good of these struggling women. To know that there are people out there that do this kind of work just to offer gifts, and a hotline number, and to simply express to these women that they are beautiful and worth so much more, was very moving.
I really enjoyed Helen and her discussion today. It really opened my eyes to a topic I hadn’t thought much about, and I hope one day sex trafficking, prostitution, pornography, and everything in between will be wiped clean from this world. “Every person should be free.”
Cara Kuchem
Helen Taylor came to Avila University to talk to us about sex trafficking and how different jobs like stripping, prostitution and other sources can be lead right into sex trafficking as the end result. Miss Taylor was so passionate and had so much knowledge about sex trafficking. Coming into the classroom, I had a little knowledge of what sex trafficking but after hearing Miss Taylor telling us more about sex trafficking it opened my eyes because she actually have talked to the females that were in this position and she had the insight on how they really felt about their jobs and/or sex trafficking. I really feel bad for the women that are force and put into that position because that’s not a good life to live and it’s not healthy for their mental state. I also didn’t know that sex trafficking happens at big sporting events. It was very nice to hear that Miss Taylor and her team would go to big sporting events (Super bowls or big soccer games) to try to help get some of the woman that are in the sex trafficking out. But the most memorable part for me was when the women that made it out of sex trafficking, stripper, or prostitution they would give Miss Taylor their shoes to symbolize they are done with that life.
ReplyDelete-Kaleigh Taylor
The talk about sex trafficking was quite shocking for me, as I had not considered the amount of brainwashing that these women go through. I never assumed that women were being held in shackles, but my assumption was that the women had something held against them, like debt. My mind also went to films like Taken, where the girls were forced into a drug addiction and held against their will. It never occurred to me that the women were forced into a dependency with their pimps. It really felt like an abusive relationship, I could see many parallels to domestic abuse.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that was new to me was pornography and its influence on objectifying women. It made a great deal of sense that sex trafficking will not end until people’s perspectives on sex and women’s bodies change. If there are no buyers, then sex trafficking cannot continue to exist. At the same time, I do have to wonder if banning pornography would be a solution. People were objectifying women long before videos existed, so it seems a bit shortsighted in that way. However, it is undoubtedly a major influence on men’s treatment of women.
Consent was a major aspect of the talk and it was fascinating to hear an analysis of what true consent means. It reminded me in many ways of the reproductive rights movement and its original goals to allow women to have equal pay, secure housing, and fair treatment so that they would be able to make informed choices about their body. In this case, as well, it is hard to say these women are consenting to sex when they are working for a paycheck. If they had a secure wage, housing, and access to healthcare, would they really choose to work as prostitutes or porn stars? Since so many women drawn to sex work are low income or even runaways, it is hard to imagine they would choose to do these things if they had a stable income. The Nordic Model seemed very reasonable because it protects these already vulnerable women, while punishing the men who take advantage of them. Particularly since sex trafficking has been reduced in Nordic countries, it seems reasonable that these policies be instituted on a global scale.
Ultimately, this topic gave me many things to think about, such as the treatment of women and how bodies are commodified. It is terrifying to think that modern slavery exists in this way and that, even though they aren’t chained down, women are still being abused in a very similar matter. Thinking about sex trafficking has given me a new perspective on sex positive feminism and its complications. There are no easy solutions to poverty, objectification, and sexism, but it is heartening to know that there are people out there who are trying to make the world better for women who are suffering greatly from a culture that dehumanizes women.
Helen Taylor came to our class and talked to us about exploitation of women, either it be prostitution, porn, or trafficked. Listening to her speech I was amazed on her she was brave enough to go through so much battles with the offenders. I agree with her and what she does. helping women get out of a horrible situation is tough, but yet she did it across the world. I didn't know that people wanted to legalize it until she spoke about it. there are way to many dangers for women, young girls and boys if they do so. The best part thought I love about her speech was her stating why women wouldn't leave their abuser or offender. a lot of people don't know you can mentally harm a person to be afraid to leave even when they have to free will to walk around. in the back of their mind they cant run away.
ReplyDeleteI like the way she used the victims old pairs of shoes to show shackles around their ankles. meaning they were slaves of sex during sex trafficking. what really shocked me about her whole speech was the fact that the porn industry doesn't care about the STD's that they are spreading. making the women there to have intercourse without protection is belittling them. they don't care if they become sick, all they care about is the views and money. what's worse is they make them dress up as young children. thinking about that, isn't that wrong in a sense of child pornography?
I once again will say I agree with everything Helen was talking about but some how I'm a little bias about everything. meaning some women actually do many sexual act on their own, aka the slut walk, but that a whole another topic.
Christine Childs
DeleteI really enjoyed the presentation on sex trafficking. I actually got choked up at some parts of the speech but I tried my best to hold it in. I learned a lot about prostitution and trafficking that I didn’t know. I had no idea that that was such a huge issue here in Kansas. It was also interesting to hear about all of this because I have personally been to the Red Light District. When she drew up the tree on the board and explained that the roots are the men that won’t stop buying the women and so the tree will never die and just keep regrowing, it truly opened my eyes to how big of an issue this is. I guess I never really thought that women didn’t like the position they were in. I always thought that they chose this lifestyle and that they wanted to be a stripper or a prostitute. I never realized that the money mainly went to the pimp and they actually don’t enjoy what they are doing. Also when I saw the shoes of women who had come out of prostitution was very hard. Also to hear about the man who put his shoes on the stage to represent that he was done putting women to these standards and start to realize what he was doing was amazing. The only thing I wish was different is that I wish we had more time to ask for questions or to listen to more stories. I think people truly don’t realize that this happens all around us. I would’ve love to ask more about the Red Light District since I have seen it for my own eyes.
ReplyDeleteNikki Norton
Listening to the guest speaker talk about her intake on sex trafficking was really eye opening. I didn’t know the need for “sex” was at that high of a demand. My outlook on a lot of things have changed after hearing her. For example, the porn industry. Knowing that the porn industry is a billion-dollar industry; I figured all the adult entertainers enjoyed their jobs and were open to everything the job required. But, after listening to our guest speaker, I’ve learned that the producers of these movies manipulate the entertainers into doing things they aren’t comfortable doing; specifically, women. Since, the porn industry is a thriving business, I don’t see this problem being fixed, only getting worse. There was an interview done with a producer from the industry saying that he makes the women dress in clothes that make them look way younger than what they are, so they would be more appealing to the audience. That right there shows that these producers in this industry encourage things like child pornography, and increases the drive for men that prey on younger kids. The things she said about prostitution really stood out to me. For a while, I thought prostitution was a choice. But, I’ve learned the way that these women are forced into these predicaments; which is by being kidnapped, raped, and drugged. Also, the people that force them into prostitution finds these women when they’re vulnerable or when they’re at their lowest point in their life. So instead of helping with their problems that already exist; they take it as a perfect time to control them and add more problems in their life. Which then leads to suicide, diseases and overdosing.
ReplyDeleteReginald David
Helen Taylor did an amazing job opening my eyes to the real meaning behind prostitution. It was very helpful to have a visual of the tree demonstrating the supply and demand of the industry. It really stuck to me when she explained how no matter how many branches they reach out to cut out, the tree will continue to grow from the roots. Especially because she made me realize that the root of the problem are men who continue to purchase women. I have heard about legalizing prostitution because it would empower the women in the industry, however watching the videos from Exodus Cry made me realize how it would actually be worse towards women. If prostitution were to get legal, the value of women would decrease. I was able comprehend why prostitution is a bigger issue and that we aren't aware of it. It's upsetting to hear how pimps/masters are able to psychologically manipulate girls and women and exploiting them. It's heartbreaking to hear stories of women who were tricked into the industry and stay traumatized. I'm glad that there are people like Helen and Exodus Cry are out there risking their lives to rescue women who are slaved into the industry and improving their lives shoe by shoe.
ReplyDelete-Zuri Martinez
I could have listened to Helen talk all day long. It was such an amazing opportunity to get to hear from somebody so passionate about what they do for a living. Exodus Cry is an amazing organization and the work they do for women and men who are victims of sex trafficking is definitely making a difference, little by little. This is not a topic typically talked about so openly, but I’m so thankful Helen was so raw and authentic because it made a much greater impact. All of the tools she used in her presentation were so meaningful. The tree, the videos, the common myths of prostitution, and using the shoes as a visual! I didn’t ever realize the extent to this epidemic until we heard from Helen. This is something that happens all around us, just about eveywhere we go, inner city and worldwide. The stories she told and the information she provided us with will be something I remember and share with others forever. Overall, a very inspiring and eye opening presentation and I learned more about sex trafficking, prostitution, and the porn industry in an hour and fifteen minutes than I have in my entire life. I can’t wait until I have some free time to watch the documentaries they have made!
ReplyDelete- Gabby Walton
Helens presentation on sex trafficking and prostitution has truly opened my eyes on the world wide problem at hand. I have seen a few movies to know about sex trafficking but never known the details or extent to the issue. After listening to the presentation, my opinions on prostitution and porn have changed immensely. I have never supported waiter profession but I had also never looked at them in the way Helen had explained. I will admit to joking about stripping in some instances but after this I will never think the same way. The other element of this presentation that really hit home for me was a brothel bust in Topeka, Kansas. I am from Topeka, Kansas and had never heard about the problem until now. Hearing that was extremely concerning for me because I live in the city that a huge sex trafficking bust and was unaware. As an eighteen year old girl, not being aware of these situations and issues can not happen in this day in age. I have truly changed and am so glad I had the opportunity to learn and listen to Helen.
ReplyDelete-Trinity Morris