Interview with an Abolitionist

W.O.R.T.H.H. Ministries (WM): The thought of sex trafficking is not an easy subject to deal with. A lot of people are still not that aware of it and what it is. What prompted you to look into the issue of sex trafficking?

Teresa Cutting (TC): I am a social worker by degree and have a heart for social justice issues. For years I wondered what was happening with all the missing children. They were not coming up dead or alive. In 2012, the Holy Spirit started leading me to watch sex trafficking related segments on television and on the internet. Initially it appeared to be a third world country issue however, via the internet I learned that sex trafficking was right in my backyard. My interest grew and I found SafeHouse of Hope and started taking Sex Trafficking 101 classes for a year and became a board member in December 2013.The I Am Your Child Ministry together with W.O.R.T.H.H. Ministries are now challenged to bring education and awareness regarding sex trafficking to the faith based community and community at large.                      

WM: Can you define what sex trafficking is?

TC: Sex trafficking "includes a commercial act in which a sex act is induced by force, fraud or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age. Sex trafficking includes exploitation through prostitution, pornography and sexual performance".  Traffickers and pimps use violence, drugs and psychological manipulation to control victims and convert their bodies to cash.  All sex trafficking is not a pimp/ victim relationship. Some victims are involved in "familial prostitution" in which family members sell victims for sex in exchange for drugs, money or whatever the need. Any victim that is forced to have commercial sex and hand over the money to some one is a victim of sex trafficking.

WM: Is that the same as human trafficking?

TC: Human trafficking is defined as "the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, OR obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.” 

WM: Is it prevalent only in some areas of our country or the world so that the average person doesn’t have to be too concerned about it or maybe just send some money to an organization that focuses on ending it?

TC: Sex trafficking is prevalent in most communities and crosses all cultures of vulnerable children and young adults, both female and male. 13 is the average age a child is targeted by a trafficker for commercial sex. The internet is a common tool for selling children for sex.  

WM: What are some of the issues you have encountered in educating local communities about it?

TC: Sex trafficking is a dark crime with a lot of myths associated with it. Most people think that the persons on the street have made a choice to be in the life of prostitution. Others don’t believe the issue is prevalent in their communities and still others don’t want to face the reality that there is a problem. 

WM: If a person feels a need to do something about this, what can they do or where can they turn to be of assistance to an organization dedicated to this cause?

TC: Many things can be done; first prayer is a powerful weapon against the trafficking industry. Supporting local, state and national legislation against trafficking, have education and awareness sessions and focus on prevention. Volunteer or provide food or financial donations to SafeHouse of Hope. Some may even consider being a host family or operating a drop-in center for people coming out of sex trafficking. If you see something-say something, report tips to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline- 1 888-3737-888, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 1-800-THE LOST, Department of Human Justice 1-888-428-7581, Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force www.justice.gov/usao/md/HumanTrafficking/index.html. 

WM: Finally, why is the term abolitionist sometimes used to define a person involved in combating sex trafficking?

TC: Human trafficking, including sex and labor trafficking, is a form of modern day slavery. Anyone who assists with ending the bondage of trafficking for this vulnerable victim population who experiences hopelessness and helplessness, coupled with fear, is an abolitionist. This modern day slavery is a billion dollar industry, after drug trafficking. It is a for-profit crime at the expense of others - let's put an end to it. 

Teresa Cutting started I AM YOUR CHILD Ministry in 2012, that name is used because it could be your child caught up in the web of trafficking. She is a board member with SafeHouse of Hope, a ministry designed for former and current sex trafficking victims. SafeHouse is a safe place for clients to be valued, nurtured and become a part of the community as they realize their value their healing and growth begins. SafeHouse of Hope provides meals, workshops, bible study and trains street outreach workers to provide hope and to let clients know that they are not alone.  For more information please contact Safe House at SafeHouse of Hope, 4710 Curtis Ave., Baltimore, MD 21226, Phone: 443-312-6729 or safehouseofhope.org/contact. Teresa is also a member of W.O.R.T.H.H. Ministries and she can be reached at WORTHHMinistries@gmail. com ATTENTION: Teresa Cutting