Alan Smyth and Jessica Midkiff are anti-human trafficking activists and co-authors of “Men! Fight for Me: The Role of Authentic Masculinity in Ending Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking”. Alan serves as the Executive Director for Saving Innocence, an anti-human trafficking, community-based organization focused on the recovery and restoration of child victims of sex trafficking. As a man, Alan has seen how important his male voice is in combating this dark reality in our society. Jessica is a true “lived experience expert.” She has survived ten years of commercial, sexual exploitation and has spent over ten years of advocacy work helping victims escape and recover. Jessica works for Saving Innocence, as well.
In this episode we discuss:
- The scope of human trafficking and how it’s modern day slavery
- Why men are so essential in the fight against trafficking
- What is “authentic masculinity” and how it plays a role in curtailing demand for trafficking
- The role of pornography in perpetuating human trafficking
- How our culture plays into trafficking, and what changes need to occur to eliminate trafficking
- Common profiles of sex buyers
- Which demographics are vulnerable to trafficking and sexual exploitation
- The daily reality of individuals “in the life”
- Why language is important
- The role of social media and online exploitation
- The effect of mass materialism
- How to be part of the solution