*This could be a sensitive topic for some, but this needs to be shared.*
On August 18, I attended a movie screening that was being held at my home church.
Priceless is inspired by true events that happen every single day in this country, as well as around the world. Created by the Christian band For King & Country brothers, Joel and Luke Smallbone. It centers around a man named James Stevens (Joel Smallbone). Jame's life seems perfect at first, but, after he looses his wife life begins to spiral out of control. Which leads to him losing custody of his daughter. In this downward spiral, James accepts a job to drive a box truck, one way, cross country for cash only. The only rule is he's not allowed to ask any questions. As shady as it seems, he does it. Along the way, he discovers what, who, he's carrying. Two sisters (played by Bianca Santos and Amber Midthunder) determined to have a better life with wherever there destination leads them too. James develops a relationship with the women, and when he learns their fate, is determined to fix what he's done and save them.
So it may not be clear on what this movie is addressing so,
*Spoiler alert*
It's Human Trafficking
The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 defines it as, "recruiting, harboring, transporting, providing, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of an individual through the means of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex."
This movie sheds a light on something very prominent in today's society. I don't know if it's because no one wants to accept that it's real and happening in their own state, or what, but here's some hard truths.
Cases of Human Trafficking have been reported in all 50 states.
Since 2007, 19,287 cases have been reported. This information is only through phone calls, emails, and online tips received through the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline. That means there are plenty of undocumented cases.
One in five victims are children. The average age a teenager falls into the sex trade is between 12-14 years old.
An estimated 199,000 incidents of sexual exploitation of minors occur each year in the United States, that's one every three minutes.
Why are we so afraid to speak out about this?
Why do we take a step back when this topic is brought up? Why do we ignore the signs and keep silent? Why don't we do something?
There are thousands, millions suffering in our cities. No one deserves this, and they certainly don't discriminate against anyone. Black, white, yellow, Christian, Buddhist, Atheist, tall, short. It doesn't matter to them, but whoever they take could matter to you.
The Human Trafficking industry makes an illegal $32 billion / a year. That's more than McDonald's makes in one year.
Priceless opens up an opportunity for a taboo topic to be heard and for change to occur. From the scenes I was able to see (after all, it was just a screening. I didn't get to see the entire thing). For King & Country do a spectacular job portraying exactly what needs to be portrayed. They put into words what survivors and activists have been trying to say.
Most importantly, they imprint something into each viewers mind and hearts.
You are Priceless
"You are priceless to me. I love you and honor you. So I will trade other people for you. I will give up other nations to save your lives." Isaiah 43:4 (NIRV)
For King & Country reiterate this in their song, Priceless, from their album RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LOVE STRONG. released on September 16, 2014.
I see you dressed in white
Every wrong made right
I see a rose in bloom
At the sight of you (oh so priceless)
(You're) irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable
Darling, it's beautiful
I see it all in you (oh so priceless)
So what can you do?
Even though it's just a movie, that doesn't mean you can't do something just like James does. While it may not be as dramatic, or unsafe, there are plenty of ways you can help.
One way is through a new app called TraffickCam. It allows you to help by simply uploading photos of your hotel room. Traffickers typically post pictures of their victims posed in hotel rooms. This is where the app comes in. The point of it is to build up a database that investigators can quickly search through and effectively put pictures posted by you and pictures posted by the traffickers together to pinpoint their location. The app is available for both Apple and Android phone users.
There are several organizations that you can donate to, or get involved with that are also combating the fight to end Human Trafficking including, ZOE, World Vision, Polaris, and The END IT Movement.
The END IT Movement. which launched in 2013, has many different stories of people who are fighting to make a difference, including Britt. You can watch her story here. It's just one of many.
Priceless comes to select theaters October 14, 2016.
Go see it and be empowered because, "She's worth fighting it."
Everyone is.
We may not all be able to ever agree on everything, but I believe this is something we can all agree must be stopped.
