Love146 // The Collective Shout Conference // Yale University

I have so many emotions running through me right now. Over the past weekend (November 12-14) while in New Haven, CT I attended the Collective Shout Conference about human trafficking. I have some knowledge about human trafficking from my time working with International Justice Mission here at Baylor, but this conference presented information I had never thought about. And now I'm mad. I'm mad at the system that oppresses victims, I'm furious with the traffickers of innocent children, and I'm outraged at people who just don't care about modern day slavery.

Often, after reading a news article about trafficking or after discussing the issue with like-minded activists, I feel empowered and disheartened at the same time. But I have never been this angry about this issue. Hearing over and over for two straight days that there are 27 MILLION slaves worldwide has branded that number on my brain. And it has become more than a number. We were honored to hear the testimony of two human trafficking survivors who were exploited as children. These women were simply radiant. They were towers of justice, and it was so obvious that after all they went through, all they wanted to do was to help other victims. These two women could have made the choice to never verbally revisit their horrific traumas, but instead they shared their stories so that the phrase "human trafficking" would have a face. This was the most inspiring part of the entire trip. Hearing their survival stories has inspired me to stand up with the intention of never ceasing the fight against human trafficking.

Love146 was the organization that hosted the Collective Shout. Their mission is to end child sexual exploitation. What a bold statement. Reading this for the first time I thought (and am now ashamed to admit) that their goal was impossible. How can one organization end child sex trafficking? But that's not their MO. Love146 is dedicated to working with other groups from NGOs to the government, while inspiring individuals to do all they can. So, is it impossible for just one to child sex slavery? Maybe. But is it possible for an entire network of passionate, inspired, and hard-working people to end this terrible problem? DEFINITELY!

I have yet to process all the information I have learned at the Collective Shout. We covered topics from laws the protect children from sexual exploitation, to the demand for sex trafficking. This was the most hard-hitting session for me. Learning about our over-sexualized and pornographic culture, and how that feeds the demand for child sex slaves literally left me feeling ill and crying. I can't believe how much everything is so connected to this issue and we never even realize it! This is really when my anger kicked in. I am angry with society for promoting the sex trade (and therefore child sex trafficking) and claiming it's just "free speech." I'm all for free speech, but the Constitution mandates that the First Amendment should be suspended when practices of "free speech" and "free religion" harm others. For example, people can't practice child sacrifice in their religion. So why can we practice child sacrifice through "free speech"? We are sacrificing our children's dignity and innocence to feed our social lust. That is not a sacrifice anyone should be willing to make.

What will I do now? What will I do? I have been constantly asking myself this question since the beginning of the conference. Something every single speaker mentioned was awareness and education of the public about child sex trafficking. I will continue to raise awareness about the issue on campus, in my friend groups, in my classes, on Facebook, and in daily conversation. I will continue to learn what I can about this issue. I will do anything I can to stop child sex slavery. I promise this to every single victim or at-risk child, and I sincerely hope everyone will follow suit.

Samantha Jones // Nov. 13

Today hearing from a survivor of trafficking, Brenda Meyers-Powell, was empowering and sobering at the same time. It’s just so shocking that she is doing so much after going through so much, and I feel like I’m doing so little. Often at sessions like the ones we experienced today I have felt like I’m doing nothing. But at the Collective Shout I felt empowered. Like I wasn’t doing tons but at least I was doing something. At least I gave my time and money to come to this conference and learn. It was so amazing to see how many professionals were present, people who were so invested in giving their time to this issue. I thought today about what I’ve been learning about trafficking over the past three years since I first learned about it as a freshman. I have joined the IJM-Baylor Chapter, served as an officer in that group, been to an IJM chapter training session on raising awareness, been on an anti-human trafficking service/learning trip, and now this conference. It seems like a lot to have done, especially as a busy student but I feel like I have done so little. It’s like the more I learn about this issue, the less I really know. I had a compelling desire to run out of the conference and get on a plane to save some trafficking victim somewhere….and then do what? I have no special skills, no real training, and no degree. I could nothing other than hinder what the professionals are doing. So I have to stay in my conference seat, and continue learning and researching and dialoging so that someday I can be that professional. So that I can do something truly impactful. 

Samantha Jones // Nov. 12

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What brought us to The Collective Shout:

Saralyn Salisbury received a grant from the Poverty Initiative to present at the Love146 Collective Shout Conference in New Haven, CT. She presented research about the need for medical professionals to be trained to identify victims of human trafficking - A much needed solution for a staggering problem.