Former U.S. Representative Linda Smith has written a book that deserves everybody’s attention. It is not a book about dry politics, however. There are no budget reports here. This book won’t bore you or put you to sleep. Instead it will break your heart. For this book deals with one of the most horrible evils of our time: human trafficking. Specifically, it deals with the selling of young girls into the sex slave industry.
“From Congress to the Brothel” describes how Smith’s life was suddenly and permanently changed the day she went to India to verify some very disturbing information she had received a short time before about young girls being forced into prostitution. Soon after her arrival she came face to face with one of these very unfortunate children. Held in this brothel against her will, this young girl was so horribly abused that, no longer having any reason to believe anybody knew, or even cared about her plight, the only thing left in her eyes was a look of hopeless doom. What happened the next moment, however, meant everything, for both this girl and for Smith; and, in fact has meant everything for countless numbers of these girls since. . .
In her book Smith describes how this girl’s story is far from unique. The children number in the tens of thousands and they are all being held prisoner by the multi-billion dollar sex slave industry that runs deep and wide throughout many countries and many cultures all over the world. Their stories are the result of a systematic process of “procuring” young girls, sometimes luring them into a snare, sometimes kidnapping them and sometimes even directly buying them from their own parents, and then selling them to brothel owners. Once there these girls are absolutely powerless to defend themselves against the constant beating, starvations and gang rapes they are about to endure. After all this, when their spirits are finally broken, they are further violated by being forced to work as prostitutes. Laws which might rescue them are largely ignored and their doom is nearly complete.
But Smith’s book is no mere report, it is also a testimony of hope and a call to action. In case after case Smith shows how, with faith, commitment, hard work and boldness these girls are being rescued from these prisons. Their lives are being redeemed and their eyes are reflecting joy, hope and love again. She shows us that, no matter how horrible the situation is, it is not hopeless. There is a way to fight back; a way that works; a way that, if multiplied, could save thousands more of these unfortunate souls. She even lays out a vision for a solution that goes to the very root of the whole problem; a solution that could just work if enough people will join her in this very worthy cause.
From her unique perspective Smith sheds light on one of society’s gravest ills in a way no reporter or government researcher can. Then she shows us a proven way to treat it, if only we will act!
I strongly urge you to read this short, but very important book. There’s a precious daughter somewhere whose only hope is that you care. The least you can do is let your heart be broken for her.
Mike Monson
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From Congress to the Brothel - a journey of hope, healing and restoration
By Linda Smith, 2007 ISBN: 0-9765594-3-9
102 pp
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