Meet Justice

A young girl runs away from home because of verbal or physical abuse from her father. She hops on a Greyhound Bus and winds up at a station in downtown Atlanta, lost and alone.

"Pimps are masters of manipulation," states Alesia Adams, the Salvation Army's coordinator of forces against sex trafficking, "they have perfected it to a science."

With his diabolically innate street smarts, he spots the young runaway as soon as she gets off the bus. She is taken captive by his words, for he tells her what she's wanted to hear for so long, "You're so beautiful. I love you. I accept you. I'll take care of you."

Case studies show that the girls are literally brainwashed into believing the pimp truly loves them. This is accomplished by the use of various drugs (which weakens the brain and causes dependence), receiving gifts and verbal praise, and then a sharp turn involving physical, sexual, and verbal abuse.

Child exploitation ultimately is never consensual. The pimps prey on the weak minds, aching hearts, and hungry bellies. In fact, 90% of runaways (in Atlanta at least) turn to prostitution; some for survival and others because they have fallen into the hands of the pimp body and soul.

The Passport's aim in all of these articles is to perhaps allow you to understand the root of the problem. More than that, to understand that the predator of sexual exploitation is not limited to "those sorts of people." It evolves from broken families, abuse, and people just not knowing how to love one another.

One of the ministries we are working with is healing abused girls by doing the exact opposite. Through a family-style living situation, consistent emotional support, hours of prayer, and being loved in the truest way, these girls are being restored and taught to do right against all that has done them wrong.

Know the issues. Know the enemy. Know how to love.

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