Before I get to into my recent idea, let me just preface by saying – This is not a completed idea, I need your help to put it all together.

What got me started – some back story
In a few weeks I’ll be attending the ASHA Forum at Fuller Seminary, this years theme is “Beyond Awareness: Empowering a Response”. Which is a great thing because so many are now aware of the issue through a slew of non-profits across the country, and world. If you’re going to be there let me know – it’s always great to meet new people. This forum features:

* Rob Morris, Co-founder and President of Love 146
* Dr. Sharon Cooper, Specialist in the hyper-sexualization of children
* Lisa Thompson, Liaison for the Abolition of Sexual Trafficking of the Salvation Army
* Beth Grant, Director of Project Rescue

But the big question is: How do we make it change in the next week, month or year? In my past working with a non-profit on the sex trafficking issue I had one consistent question:
What product/industry will you substitute for the people trade?

There’s too much money changing hands and whether is a woman running a brothel/bar in third world country or a guy shipping people in containers, or a corporation that holds women in a sub basement of their hotel for their high paying clients – it would seem there needs to be more of a reason than the law of the land.

The other thing I know is that the demand side of the issue is HUGE and a multi-fronted, coordinated attack from many agencies will make things much better – but I think that’s for the pros to figure out what that looks like.

Also with Freedom Day coming up this weekend it got me thinking about Charles Lee. A few months back he had this fantastic idea for having shelters specifically designed for trafficked victims that catered to their unique scenario. I love the idea and it seems to make so much sense.

Where the rubber hits the road
So what happens today if the LAPD breaks up a trafficking ring? What happens to the underage kids? Where do they go? Are they put into the system as if The Department of Children & Family Services removed them from a home for abuse? Like I said, I’m no expert on this but there’s no way that blending these kids with general population and putting them through the system in the same manner as everybody else is a good idea.

In the name of healthy conjecture – here’s a scenario:
Your local police department found 10 kids in the middle of a sex trafficking ring. These boys and girls range in age from 6-14. What needs to happen? What’s the process?

Leave me a comment, write on my facebook wall, or send me a DM on Twitter. I think we can figure this out, the agencies are there, the experts are willing… lets do this.