by Lonna Hunter
I was truly blessed to be among such inspirational women who have been through so much in their lives. They were so eager to learn, and it was such an inspiration to see how they stand up for what they believe in, and how they stand up for one another.
- April Clairmont
Paul and Sheila Wellstone envisioned a day when we as a nation would confront the horrible realities of human trafficking and prostitution, and "light a candle...to go after this major, god-awful human rights abuse." This winter, the Sheila Wellstone Institute helped bring this vision a step closer to reality by convening a powerful group of prostitution and trafficking survivors for a special civic engagement training at the Minnesota state capitol.
"Forgotten Victims," a two-training designed specifically for survivors, gathered these women together to share their experiences, build new relationships, and strengthen their advocacy work through grassroots lobbying, organizing, and policy advocacy. It also offered an opportunity to learn about a new report on human trafficking in Minnesota produced by The Advocates for Human Rights, and provide recommendations and feedback on a state trafficking bill to State Senator Sandy Pappas and Mary Ellison, the author of the trafficking report.
Participating in Public Policy
The Minnesota trafficking bill seeks to broaden the definition of sex trafficking to include prostituted women, and provide greater services to women who have been exploited through trafficking and prostitution, helping to meet critical needs like food, medical support, housing, translation services, and legal representation. It also strengthens criminal statutes to hold traffickers and "johns" accountable and ensure that training and education on trafficking and prostitution is provided to law enforcement, judges, and other governmental agencies.
Participants in the training engaged in an extensive conversation with Senator Pappas and Mary Ellison about the bill, sharing their personal experiences and feedback on the legislation. Many of these survivors had never before participated in a public policy process, and now had the incredible opportunity to talk face-to-face with a state legislator, flag unintended consequences of the legislation-based on their own lives and experiences-and make recommendations to close policy loopholes that could be misconstrued by police officials on the street when dealing with prostituted survivors.
As a grassroots advocate, one of the key areas of concern for me was to hear that formerly prostituted women cannot secure housing or credit, because they are considered to be felons-even though many were forced into prostitution as early as age 10, or were victims of child pornography. After doing this work for over 10 years, I have never been so moved by such powerful and painful stories. The stories they shared about their lives, their children, and the beatings, rape, and other torture they suffered at the hands of traffickers and johns should never happen to anyone for any reason.
The Debate in the Women's Movement
Participants also took time to talk about the ways that the women's movement and domestic violence movements have dealt with prostituted women. Camp Sheila trainer and survivor Chris Stark offered a powerful analysis of the women's movement and its relationship to prostituted women over the years. Chris argued that the movement has been more likely to take on international sex trafficking than confront the realities of sex exploitation in its own backyard.
Chris also said the women's movement has often taken the position that women "choose" prostitution and pornography, failing to take into account the violence experienced by prostituted women and girls and the fact that so many are forced into prostitution at such young ages. Many survivors shared with the group that they are seldom asked for their personal analysis of violence against women, the impact of public policy on their lives, or ways to end violence. But that does not mean they are silent.
A vision for the movement to end violence against women
By sharing their personal stories, this powerful group of participants - leaders, mothers, sisters, and advocates - also helped craft testimony for state legislators that brings to life the realities of trafficking and prostitution. Many women spoke about leaving their homes at a young age, only to end up with pimps who promised a better life. They shared stories of being persecuted by judicial and criminal systems and society in general. They talked about being told to leave prostitution without having any of the tools necessary to ensure the economic security they need for the long haul.
Trafficked and prostituted women are held to a far higher criminal standard than the johns that seek them out. And yet they rise. This group of women holds the key to unlocking the prejudice and stereotypes that are held by our movement to end violence against women. They can help rewrite the women's movement and make the cultural shift that feminists and lawmakers need to make in order to truly provide justice for all.
I was tremendously moved during this training, and will never be the same. The Sheila Wellstone Institute will continue to bring survivors and their powerful, life-changing stories to the policy-making table, helping to make a reality Paul and Sheila's vision that we "light a candle...to go after this major, god-awful human rights abuse."