Child sex trafficking is a heinous crime that victimizes the most vulnerable among us. The numbers are staggering. It is estimated that 250,000 to 800,000 children are being sexually exploited each year in the United States. No one denies the devastating impact this crime has on its young victims. The average age of the victims recovered is 14. But according to law enforcement, victims have been recovered as young as 10 years of age.
Melanie says, "Words. They are so inadequate at describing what these children must endure night after night. Think about it. Imagine for just a moment it is you – your daughter, your sister or your niece who is being SOLD FOR SEX. Rape. Torture. Abuse. Exploitation. All just words on a piece of
paper; unless it is happening to you or to someone you love."
There is a generation of forgotten children at the mercy of those exploiting their bodies for a profit. Unless someone intervenes, unless someone believes in them, they will remain lost and alone. They need to be rescued. They need a safe place to belong. They need a home. There are many communities that do not have a home for girls rescued out of trafficking. Young victims are often charged with a crime and taken to Juvenile Hall in order to be in a secure environment. But these young girls are not criminals. They need to be loved and taken care of, not handcuffed.
Courage House recently opened in Northern California to help rescue victims of sex trafficking - provide these girls a safe home; offer healing for their physical, spiritual, and emotional wounds; and lovingly show them that God created them “on purpose for a purpose.”
The 5K/10K will be held in Folsom, California on Saturday, October 2nd at 8:00 am. If you would like to register or donate to this worthy cause, please go to RunForCourage.com.
Early registration ends tomorrow (Saturday) but you can still register through Sept 30th. If you want to register for the race or donate, make sure to email me! I would also love to hear your feedback.
Toni