The STOPLight

Choosing to speak out

I became involved with STOP as a result of visiting with a woman also involved with the STOP organization. She was concerned about young people learning of the dangers of running away. She was looking for someone to reach outlying communities and schools. As a mother of two pre-teenage children, how could I say no? I knew I needed to learn more.

I am no different than many of you. I live in a very small, rural community. We have a 13-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. My husband farms. I work full time as a bookkeeper. I also keep busy with volunteer work. As a family we are very active in our church.

After I made a commitment to be on the STOP Speakers' Bureau,

I was provided with a lot of training. Pastor Erickson (director of STOP and Grassroots Ministry Alliance) holds speaker training sessions several times a year. We learn from the speakers he brings in, from video and audio tapes, as well as a wealth of reading material. I have spent much time researching the subjects of anti-violence, runaway children, and abused children being led into a life of prostitution -- I continue to learn.

When I present to groups, I try to include a variety of information:

Statistics and myths of prostitution, survivor stories, how and why young people become involved in prostitution, why it is so hard to walk away from, and what we as individuals, communities, and churches can do to help youth who are at risk.

Most of the groups I speak to are Lutheran women and initially, I was concerned about how well-received the subject matter would be. Everywhere I have been, people have been very open to hearing our message and sharing our concerns. Most people realize they have a son, daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew, or friend who could someday become trapped in prostitution. They are now aware that even children raised in good Christian homes are not immune.

As I finish my presentation, I challenge them -- and you right now -- to do something to help our children at risk. It's our choice and at times it may be a leap of faith to ask ourselves, our churches, and communities to seriously undertake the task of making connections between various forms of violence.

In closing I share a story with you (author unknown):

One morning, a man was walking along the beach as the sun was rising. while enjoying the beauty around him, he saw a lone figure who appeared to be dancing on the beach. As he came closer he realized the youth was not dancing, but with graceful movements was picking up starfish from the beach and tossing them into the sea.

When he asked why, the youth replied, " If the starfish are still on the beach when the tide goes out and the sun rises higher in the sky, they will die."

"That's ridiculous!" said the man. "There are thousands of miles of beach and millions of starfish. You can't really believe what you're doing could possibly make a difference!"

The youth picked up another starfish, tossed into the waves, and remarked, "It makes a difference to this one."

by Cindy Nelson, volunteer speaker