Nearly all who work in the sex industry experience exploitation.
All Things Possible
Setting Captives Free - Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually
Do Not Cast Your Pearls Before Swine
A handful of college students file into a small classroom as two active sex workers, a domestic violence survivor and a sex-work advocate make last-minute preparations to state their flawed panel position: “We must decriminalize sex work.”?
Sitting quietly in the back of the room is a nearly two-decade survivor of the sex industry, a former Las Vegas stripper-turned-advocate for survivors of?a business that nearly destroyed her life as a barely legal teen. She’s seen it all.?
In a typical week, she visits strip clubs, porn conventions, casinos, shelters and the streets of Las Vegas — anywhere victims of trafficking and exploitation can be found.?
She and her team of fellow survivors offer support and services to people caught up in the sex industry, but this work takes a toll.
As a survivor, talking to victims about their circumstances can be heart-wrenching. After all, these stories often drum up her own painful memories.?
As the moderator, a proponent of decriminalization, approaches the podium, the chatter of the small audience quiets. “Thank you for joining us today,” she begins. “The difference between sex work and sex trafficking is consent.”
A murmur of approval resonates from the crowd. For the most part,?this is a forum essentially preaching to the choir. “Our panel today believes that decriminalization of sex work is a human rights matter.”?
The moderator opens the floor to the panel of self-proclaimed “advocates of the sex industry.”
“Decriminalization means if you are being sexually trafficked and picked up by the police, they can’t arrest you for solicitation…” explains one panel member. “It means that people who are choosing to provide sexual services, either in person or online, are free to do so without criminal penalties.”?
“It also provides an opportunity for organizations to step in and offer services to sex workers, INCLUDING,” she emphasizes, “those who CHOOSE to leave the industry.”
The supposed benefits of decriminalization are now flying around the room like yellow jackets at a September picnic — opportunistic, persistent — vying to land on any exposed piece of fruit to stake their claim.
“Decriminalization will improve access to health services and reduce sexually transmitted infections,” the panelists claim. “It will provide a safer working environment for sex workers and prevent violence and abuse.”?
“We can respond more effectively to sex trafficking if we decriminalize sex work,” adds one of the speakers.
Like those unwelcome, winged guests who spoil the picnic, these claims all carry a stinger, but not everyone feels the searing, venomous burn.?
After all,?half the panel have never worked in the sex industry. The other half are actively engaged in some form of sex work, but they don’t recognize the harm this line of “work” causes — not yet anyway.?
They are firmly convinced that there is a clear delineation between sex trafficking and consentual sex work, and no amount of debate in a public forum will likely change their minds.?
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Together, they come across as bullies, disinterested in considering other points of view.
The seasoned survivor-turned-advocate came prepared. In her handbag, she carries a list of counterpoints she plans to use to exterminate every single claim. She knows that the arguments are easily refutable with facts. Nearly all who work in the sex industry experience exploitation.
Alas, her gift of discernment takes over. She slowly, deliberately puts down her handbag.?
“Not today,” she thinks. “Do not cast your pearls before swine.”?
She knows how to choose her battles. God has given her the power and authority to speak in Truth. No panel of activists will intimidate her, but she knows where and how her efforts can affect the most good.
“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.?Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” —?Colossians 4:5-6
Inspirational Insight
Jesus said:
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” –?Matthew 7:6
While some Christians misunderstand this saying, instead using the quote with an air of superiority, Jesus’ intent was to encourage people to use discernment.?Why waste precious energy and breath on a group of people who’ve already made up their minds??There are more effective ways of getting a point across.?
In public forums, groupthink rules. When people of like minds come together, discussions typically reinforce presupposed ideas. Opinions aren’t typically changed in panel discussions or social media comment threads; they are changed in coffee shops, at kitchen tables, on front porches and in the back of Ubers. One-on-one, individuals feel less guarded, less combative and less driven to win an argument.?
When we take the time to listen to people, build personal relationships and find common ground, we have a far greater opportunity to win hearts and minds.?
Speak to each other, not at each other.?
Our battle is not to win debates. We are fighting for souls!?
The Daily Inspirational Brief —?The DIB is a thoughtfully curated daily memo with special, uplifting commentary delivered each weekday. In addition to bringing you interesting and newsworthy articles, we offer?something you won’t find in most mainstream news:?HOPE.