The STOPLight

Community involvement is needed

As a police officer, I had the task of enforcing laws against prostitution related crime. It was both a confusing and daunting task. Neighborhoods were trying to rid themselves of street prostitution, businesses were up in arms about the number of johns circling the blocks, and politicians were at odds with one another as they all focused on the outward, visible nuisance of a large number of prostitutes who walked the streets in three separate areas of the city. In all three areas people wanted only one thing -- move it somewhere else! They did not care if or where the activity took place as long as it was not in their neighborhood.

It bothered me greatly that people could not see beyond the high heels and makeup. They couldn't see that these were, in fact, just children! They could only see that the prostitutes were disrupting their lives.

When I spoke at community gatherings, schools, churches, service clubs, and parent groups, I was met with hostility and demands. "Legalize it!" "Move it!" "Harass them!" Each meeting produced a new set of demands.

It was at this point that I realized the majority of the public has no real understanding about the issue of prostitution. People only react when it touches their own lives or neighborhoods. Part of the frustration on the part of citizens is the feeling of helplessness. This arises from a lack of knowledge and from a feeling that "it can't happen to our family."

For true involvement by the community, there must be a three-fold approach to the issue of prostitution.

Awareness

The media, community outreach workers, and the police, as well as others who have knowledge of the issue, must speak out publicly. They must inform others of these young boys and girls truly are victims. People need to know that over 80% of the children who end up in prostitution were sexually abused by adults long before their arrival on the streets.

The public must accept the fact that the average age of entry into this dangerous and degrading world is only 13 and one-half years old! These kids have been and are manipulated, conned, threatened, and coerced.

Attitude

After awareness and knowledge, there must be a shift in attitude. A shift to focusing on the issue. To determination that something concrete must be done. To an attitude that the pedophile, the pimp or the john must not be allowed to move with impunity through our lives and the lives of our children. These young children are victims of horrendous rapes, savage beatings, and mind-numbing manipulation. They are not juvenile delinquents or sexually promiscuous, but rather exploited children who need our support, love, and assistance if they are to escape prostitution, survive and thrive in life.

Action

When attitudes change, groups and communities can begin to influence the courts, ensuring that proper sentences are meted out to those who abuse our children. They can insist on properly funded recovery programs, access to trained therapists, and sufficient resources to enable outreach programs to expand.

A community that bands together with purpose and passion can make an incredible difference in the lives of these exploited youth.

These are our children! When we see a twenty-five year old prostitute working the street, we must remember that he or she probably entered this under-world as a child. Their childhood has been stolen from them. It is up to us to give those years back.

We cannot move the problem to another neighborhood. Children -- and they are all our children -- are both our legacy and our future.

In 2002 our organization changed its name to Adults Saving Kids. Prior to that we were called A-STOP (Alliance for Speaking Truths On Prostitution), STOP (Speaking Truths On Prostitution), or Grassroots Ministry Alliance.