Don’t Call Me Pretty

Don’t Call Me Pretty

I am not a super model, but some say I’m pretty.  I have been called all the words for a woman who meets the generally acceptable societal standards of attractiveness: pretty, beautiful, sexy.  I have had male attention.  I have dated.  I have married. I know that the...
The Invisible Woman

The Invisible Woman

I’ve been celebrating lately.  There are many reasons for celebration.  I have graduated with a master’s degree and quit my job to begin work in the trauma recovery field.  Everyone is letting me know how proud they are.  Everyone is congratulating me for...
Stop Victim Blaming

Stop Victim Blaming

It’s the new slogan of the anti-trafficking movement.  It’s powerful for those who understand it.  And for those that don’t … it’s written off along with everything else they don’t understand.  Supporters respond to those that don’t get it by saying it more and saying...
Mommy, when are you going to find us a daddy?

Mommy, when are you going to find us a daddy?

I hear this question about once a week.  When I first heard it, I cringed.  I was not sure how to answer it.  I was afraid if I didn’t come up with the perfect response, my children would be permanently scarred.  It doesn’t bother me very much anymore.  I have several...
Is sex a need?

Is sex a need?

Why is sex trafficking so prevalent? Most people would admit it’s the demand. However, the controversy lies in how a person rationalizes their own demand for paid (possibly underage) sex. The men in my family used to talk about their “need” for sex. They spoke about...