What started for Morgan Perry as an intercultural expedition on international justice issues became a burning passion to document child sex slavery—first overseas, then in the United States. In 2007, Perry and several photojournalist classmates traveled to 20 countries to study each region’s social issues. The common thread in each nation brought a surprising conclusion: children were being openly bought and sold as objects of sex in numerous foreign countries.
The final team of five felt compelled to write a book (Sex+Money: A Global Search for Human Worth) documenting the journey and the issue. In their research, they were dumbfounded to realize that sex trafficking of children is an American problem, also. The next mission for the team was traveling the US in an RV to film interviews with over 75 federal agents, victims, politicians, activists, psychologists, porn stars and pimps. The result is a full-length documentary of an American child sex slave trade involving over 100,000 minors at any given time. The film, Sex+Money: A National Search for Human Worth, was released to the public on DVD in August 2011.
Perry and her team are currently touring to all 50 states to present screenings of the film. The goal is to raise awareness of the terrible plight of children enslaved to be prostituted, and to contribute financially to StreetLightUSA, one of the organizations working to help the trafficked girls turn their lives around. The Sex+Money crew have pledged to donate 75% of all product sales to StreetLight for the first 100,000 items sold. This will net $1.1 million to be used in the residential facility in Arizona for services to girls 11-17 who are recovered from forced prostitution.
The film, Sex+Money: A National Search for Human Worth, will be screened in Arizona twice in December with free admission.
- Saturday, December 3
6:30-9:00 PM
Scottsdale Bible Church
7601 East Shea Boulevard Scottsdale, AZThe 90 minute film screening will be followed by a response time of worship and prayer lead by the Sex+Money team. A local anti-trafficking organization, StreetLight USA, will have tables and representatives outside the venue to help people get involved.
- Monday, December 5th
6:00-8:30 PM
ASU Downtown Campus
A.E. England Building,
Civic Space Park
24 N. Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85004The 90 minute film screening will be followed by a panel discussion between local experts. A local anti-trafficking organization, StreetLight USA, will have tables outside the auditorium to help people get involved.
Part of the philosophy of the Sex+Money mission is summed up in a blog post on their website:
Though the first step of placing victims in restoration homes/facilities is a necessary part of the equation, healing doesn’t stop there. Equipping victims with the skills they need to thrive as a member of society requires a second step of reaching out to local communities, churches, and families that are trained to invest relationally into the victims’ lives. A third step occurs when victims are able to take their own initiative to invest in their community.
Individual copies of the film can be ordered now. StreetLight USA will receive 75% of the first 100,000 sales.
Additional screenings can be set up in the Phoenix area by contacting StreetLight USA by email or calling the office, 623-435-0900. Inquiries about Sex+Money can be directed to Lindsay Diederichs by email or phone, 757-268-4185.
Posted on behalf of StreetLight USA.
************************
Do you want to stay connected with more Sex Trafficking Examiner articles? Check out the index of articles for a listing of topics or subscribe to this column and get an email notice when new articles are posted. Be an Examiner and get paid to write about your passion.
(c) 2011 Holly Craw. All rights reserved. You may link to this article or take an excerpt with due attribution to the author and a link back to this original article. Mention your link below to get a shoutout.
Comments