The STOPLight

Are you in the conversation?

Between the ages of 17 and 44, I lived in hell—a combination of prostitution, chemical dependency, two trips to prison, single motherhood, welfare, a trip to a mental hospital, beatings and rape. Men bought, sold and rented parts of my body, I was made to feel ashamed, guilty, dirty, evil and unworthy. Alcohol and prescription drugs numbed the pain and helped me separate my mind from my body during the worst of the violence. After I began the journey toward sanity, serenity and sobriety after completing treatment for chemical dependency, I realized that I’m a walking miracle.

Carolyn Brown, survivor.

I believe it is imperative and totally worthwhile to talk about prostitution in every community, every school and every family. We need to talk about all aspects of the complex problem. We need to examine the painful reality that most prostitutes were victims of child sexual abuse and/or emotional and physical abuse. Most youth who run away from home end up on the streets with no options for survival except to sell their bodies. In every community, from all walks of life, there are men who buy sex for their own gratification without regard for the human beings they violate. Everywhere there are people willing to take advantage of and exploit youth for their own financial gain.

We need to ask tough questions of ourselves, our local governments, law enforcement bodies, our churches and our school boards. How much pain could be spared if we knew and cared enough to help troubled youth sort out their confusion, problems and lack of sell-esteem? if they could equip them with the tools and emotional stability needed to face life’s challenges? If communities gave priority to finding ways to protect them from exploitation?

Certainly, these are not comfortable topics of conversation. But there are few topics more important. Let’s not quit before we even begin. We can’t pretend prostitution doesn’t exist; that if we ignore it, it will go away. We need to start talking with and about youth at risk. We need to confront the fact that, in the Twin Cities alone, there are between 1,600 and 2,000 youth on the streets — that right now, between 1 and 2 million Americans are involved in prostitution.

We’d like to hear your side of this conversation, If you work with people involved in any aspect of this cycle abuse, we need your assistance. We feel much is currently being done to combat prostitution but not enough people are aware of who is doing what, or how they can help. Please tell us what you’re doing or what you’d like to see done. Call me at (612) 871-2298 to talk. Or write and include your name, address and, if you wish, your phone number so we can converse.

by Al Erickson - founder and acting director S.T.O.P. Committee

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.