Last night I went to go see movie “Sound of Freedom.” If you watched this film, even though embellished to an extent, did it stir you to do something? The man sitting next to me in the movie theater got mad and said he wanted to get into the fight. When the movie ended I gave him my business card and said… “you said you wanted to do something, here is your chance right here in CNY.” That was the extent of my conversation!
Amos 5:24 states “But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as the mighty stream.” During Amos’ time the northern tribe of Israel appeared to be doing right. However, God wrote them a warning that destruction would befall them if they refused to change. I think this looks like America today, we neglect the true heart of love and worship of God. You ask me how; we fail to take into account the care of the poor and needy…. these children, end up as those women on the street corner, you know ….those who we ignore.
We turn an eye away from injustice. How can we say we love God and others when we fail to help people who are within our reach to help? True religion is helping orphans, widows, and those who are in distress according to James 1:27.
How many of you actually know about the Governor’s decision to provide $1 million to a “Sex Worker Health Pilot Program? Here is the link to the NYS of Health Department https://www.health.ny.gov/funding/single_source/c38369gg.htm
Maybe you have seen the NY Post who blasted the decision, which the Governor’s dismissed as just tabloid gossip. https://nypost.com/2023/07/23/kathy-hochul-launches-ny-health-care-program-for-sex-workers/
So here it is, New York State is on slippery road to full decriminalization of prostitution. Do we care? The NYS Department of Health has awarded $1 million in public funds to two contractors as part of the new “sex worker health pilot program.” One of the groups that will receive these funds is the Callen-Lorde Clinic, many of whose patients are children, mainly trans and gender non-conforming youth. That means that NYS is characterizing sex trafficked children as “sex workers” in violation of NYS and federal laws. The Governor dresses it up as a fund for “sex workers.” It is not “sex work” but the criminal exploitation of the most vulnerable individuals like immigrants, children from the foster care system, runaways, and other youth who are preyed upon by criminals.
The decriminalization of “sex work” overlooks the industry’s ties to sex trafficking and violence. Decriminalization without accountability for pimps, sex buyers and brothel owners will only lead to further harm. How…..demand will create more unwitting child victims who become adults trapped in a cycle of drugs, brokenness and a lifetime of trauma.
Please take just 8 minutes to educate yourself in this fight for justice. Rachel Foster, founding co-chair of “World Without Exploitation,” gives and informative discussion on the fallacy of legitimizing the “sex work”.
So I ask again …What Will You Do!
Write a letter to the Governor; help support a service provider trying to help victims; support Rahab Refuge Ministries as we establish a safe house for survivors right here in CNY! Do something! https://rahabrefugeministries.org/house/
Rahab Refuge Ministries 