Recently I wrote about getting a collect call from someone in jail. Yesterday I finally got back notice that I had passed all the security clearances and would be permitted to visit David. I called and made an appointment for next Saturday (see Isaiah Chapter 58 for an explanation). only a few minutes later I got a call on my cell phone from the chaplain of the "M" County Jail informing me that David had been released and that he needed a ride to Nashville.
Lets say I was amazed. David had four years on the shelf and had done little or nothing to prove that he should be "set free." A kind hearted Probation Officer and a District Attorney who understood what causes prositution charges, as well as David's willingness to submit to the consequences of his actions all added up to his release on the condition that he complete a set amount of time in a rehabilitation center designed especially for those who have suffered from addiction and who have been prostitutes.
At one point my liberally tolerant attitude was that prostitution is relatively benign, merely a short term marriage of sorts with cash rather than possessions as the exchange. What other people do is their business.
Lately, having heard the stories of dozens of prostitutes, I have decided that it is much less a benign trade and instead a serious and violent crime. Not including those who are tricked into slavery by pimps, I have found that many suffer from extreme acts of violence. Generally the violence began years before the streets. Abuse by fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, coaches, priests, neighbors. Some have found themselves in marriages where the dynamic between them and their spouse reflects the dynamic between them and their abuser. Prostitution is a concentration of this relationship.
The law understands that prosecution is ineffective. More than one vice squad bust has netted no arrests or citations because the system understands that no fines will ever be paid, no warrents honored, no bail met, and no reform will happen. Interestingly, it is a more serious crime in TN if the prostitution solicitation occurs within 1500 feet of a church or school. This earns more time in jail, rather than the "time served" most commonly issued.
The general population needs to understand several things.
1. Using a prostitute is generally sexual violence.
2. Prostitution happens in your hometown.
3. Men and women who hire prostitutes have potential for other violent crime.
4. Someone you know hires a prostitute with some frequency.
5. More men than women are victims of sexual violence.
I advocate that those who are in this condition be treated as victims of a violent crime. I believe there should be safety provided, lifestyle rehabilitation is a must.
Those who hire prostitutes should perhaps be treated the same as one who hits, burns, wounds etc. another human being.
There is an group here helping women who suffered from this violence in the past. You can support Magdelene House by shopping at Thistle Farms. Christian Science Monitor provides and interesting article.
Ok, you have gotten my rant of the day.
6 comments:
Brilliantly put and so true. The part about a person I know frequently hiring a prostitute is especially disturbing--"normal," "law-abiding" people, in other words.
Very sobering post...
5. More men than women are victims of sexual violence.
i wasnt aware of that.
i've read statistics- 1 in 4 women, and 1 in 6 men is what i remember off hand. but i've gotta say, more men? wow. guess i can't be angry at all men, can i?
Good and necessary "rant".
It's time people wake up. The part about prostitutes having been the victim of a crime is SOOO true. A lot of times they've been sexually abused as children.
And even if there isn't "official" prostitution, there are women (maybe men, though I don't know so much about that angle) who feel that they are "up for grabs" to any male due to the damage done in their lives, and they are so vulnerable to any jerk who comes along. My heart bleeds for all the hurting souls--Jesus clearly showed love and compassion for the prostitutes, and we need to be showing knowledeable and sensible care to them as well.
A sobering thought--how would we respond if a prostitute or woman (or man) with a loose reputation walked into our church services?!
Happymom4, I can tell youthat quite frequently such people are not welcome because of their knowledge of the sins of those in the crowd.
those of us who have accepted grace do well to extend that grace to others rather than acting in fear.
Yes. Satan works nicely when we cower in fear . . . fear of getting messy, fear of getting hurt, fear of our family's getting contaiminated. Having first hand worked as a family with some situations, I know we MUST use godly wisdom and discernment, and as a church we also had a situation with an ex-convict . . . which got ugly when his veneer of religion wore off . . . I don't have all the answers, but I know we MUST be busy being about our Heavenly Father's business, and part of that is certainly reaching out to the hurting.
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