An article recently published by the Source entitled Sex, Lies & Snapchat talks about sex trafficking in Central Oregon. The article begins with a brief and unnerving excerpt from a new novel by Christopher Stollar entitled The Black Lens. The book is based on his experience investigating sex trafficking while working for the Bend Bulletin.

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.

One of the things noted in the article is that sex trafficking exists in parallel with drug trafficking, “The Mexican

[drug] cartel was driving things up 97 and dropping things in Terrebonne. If the drug route is there, you’re going to have a people route, too.” As a recent transplant to the Bend area I was surprised to find this was happening here (I guess the honeymoon phase is over). I grew up in a motel in Vegas so I have a pretty keen awareness of what happens in Vegas. But it seems that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.

The article went on to quote Jeff Keith again (a member of Central Oregon’s CSEC Response Team and founder of The Guardian Group), “Anytime you have a place with men and money, the homeless at risk population and the Internet, it’s a trifecta for it happening here. And it’s off the grid… When Chris, [Detective Morin, City of Bend Police] did a Backpage sting, it was local men, too. Doctors, lawyers, roofers”. I was glad to find out that there are several organisations who are working to protect the people who are most vulnerable to these kinds of physical and mental abuses. But I also worry about what the article describes as “local men”.

Curiosity outweighs Judgment

As a counselor I practice “Unconditional Positive Regard”. For me this basically means that even though I grew up in Vegas and saw some pretty terrible things, I trust that the people I work with are moving towards being good and whole. This is not always easy but it is important for people to have a relationship where curiosity outweighs judgment. Besides, people are usually their own worst critic. Of course I am not naive and I will challenge my clients when appropriate but a counselor’s ability to host the good, the bad, and the ugly is vital to healing. First Peter 4:8 says, “love covers a multitude of sins”. My assumption is that love is needed to heal the wounds of the victims, but the perpetrators among us of sex trafficking also need love.

Sex Trafficking Resources:

The Source article by Alyce Pearce: Sex, Lies, & Snapchat

National Human Trafficking Resource Center: www.polaris.com

Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888

Cascade Youth and Family Center: www.cascadeyouthandfamilycenter.org

The Guardian Group: www.theguardiangroup.org

The Black Lens book and advocacy: www.christopherstollar.com