FAQ’s – Child Exploitation

We have launched a new ministry: Salvaged Child – to help save children from trafficking in the world’s worst human trafficking region. We need your help to increase the awareness of child exploitation in people’s consciousness, and raise funds to increase the number of children that can be saved (salvaged) in the rescue homes we sponsor.

QUESTION 1: IS CHILD EXPLOITATION/ TRAFFICKING REALLY THE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IT IS MADE OUT TO BE? Yes, it is. In fact, the exploitation / trafficking of children is actually more widespread than many people understand. (Find out the truth about exploitation – WATCH VIDEO)

It is estimated that 800,000 – 1 million children a year are abducted, or sold into the exploitation industry. Think about that. That’s the equivalent of having EVERY person in the cities of Atlanta AND Minneapolis abducted every year.

QUESTION 2: IS CHILD EXPLOITATION LIMITED TO ASIAN CHILDREN? No, it certainly is not. Child exploitation, and the sex slave industry is a worldwide epidemic. But the Golden Triangle region is by far the worst region in the world for this crime. It is estimated that between 100,000-120,000 children a year are abducted, or sold into child exploitation from this region alone.

QUESTION 3: WHY DOES SALVAGED CHILD FOCUS ON ASIA? We believe the best way to break the cycle of child exploitation is by taking a proactive approach. In Europe, there are several ministries that work to restore women who have cycled through the sexual exploitation industry (re: they are too old to be useful to them). We commend them for their efforts, and thank God for their loving concern. But here at Salvaged Child, we have chosen to fight exploitation at the root – before it can ensnare a child, and turn their life into a living hell.

QUESTION 4: HOW DO WE ‘PROACTIVELY’ FIGHT AGAINST EXPLOITATION? We fight child exploitation four different ways: First, we have ministry partners on the ground throughout the Golden Triangle region, rescuing children from exploitation every day. At present, there are seven rescue houses in place, where they safely care for over 100 children, in a loving environment until adulthood. (At which time they will be safe from exploitation). We are believing God for 100 homes in ten years. (You can help make it happen)

Secondly, we are changing the culture through evangelism. We lead teams on short-term mission trips to Asia. We go village to village, and city to city throughout the Golden Triangle region, presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet. Thousands are being saved – in fact, entire villages are being born again. Now here’s the good news: when people accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, child trafficking ends. If you want to end trafficking/ exploitation … the best way is through evangelism.

Third, through the education of children, a new generation is being raised up in Asia – to be free of exploitation. Daily, throughout Asia, our partners are educating hundreds of children. Through Christian education, the principles of Christ are being instilled in children’s hearts, and radically changing the way they think and live – and helping to bring an end to the evil of child exploitation.

And fourth, through our parent ministry (Destiny Ministry), we help establish Bible Colleges and Schools of Ministry in this region, to raise up Christian leaders – to multiply the Gospel message throughout the region. Hundreds of ministers are being raised up, and trained to become full-time ministers for the Lord. Many of the leaders, in the schools of ministry and Bible colleges are young adults from our rescue houses.

So you see, when YOU SPONSOR RESCUE HOUSES you are helping to transform Asian culture, by helping children find Jesus, and change their world in a powerful way.

QUESTION 5: WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CHILDREN WHO DON’T GET ‘SALVAGED’? If children aren’t rescued from exploitation, their lives become a living hell. 100,000* children a year are enslaved by child traffickers, and sold as nothing more than a commodity worldwide. Many of these children die in transport, forced drug usage, or sexual attacks (they are often gang raped and beaten in the beginning of their imprisonment, to get them ‘used to’ the work they must do, as slave prostitutes). Those who survive the initial journey are sold (not hired) into slavery to brothels, massage parlors, prostitution rings, and even as workers in legal and illegal businesses worldwide.

QUESTION 6: DO EXPLOITED CHILDREN STAY IN THE REGION, OR ARE THEY SHIPPED TO PLACES AROUND THE WORLD? Child traffickers/ exploiters smuggle children into nations all around the world. Once children have been sold, all documentation is stripped away from them, and they are left with no hope of escaping. Asian children can end up anywhere on earth.

QUESTION 7: IS THERE REALLY A ‘SEX TOURISM’ INDUSTRY? Yes, the sex tourism industry really does exist. Europeans and Americans actually lead the list of sex tourists, SO WE MUST DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO BREAK THE CYCLE AT THIS END OF THE INDUSTRY, AS WELL. What is sex tourism? It is exactly what it sounds like: people travel throughout the world for the specific purpose of indulging in illicit sexual activity. On every continent, people can visit brothels where they offer every imaginable sexual option to them – including child prostitution. Anyone who has traveled extensively, knows it is not uncommon to be offered children (boys or girls as young as five years old) by a concierge; a well-dressed, and seemingly respectful person in the lobby, or even a busser.

Warning: Use caution around these people: They represent an evil industry, and even though they make their offer with a smile, like they are doing you a favor, don’t forget, they work for violent, hate-filled people, and are not to be trusted. Don’t attempt to fight exploitation in foreign environs, because you may be placing yourself in danger. Rather, refuse their offer (don’t be afraid to tell them to leave you alone), but drop it at that. The best way to fight exploitation, is to support ministries or professional agencies who work within the established, highly successful framework of proven systems.

QUESTION 8: TYPICALLY, HOW OLD ARE CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE ABDUCTED OR SOLD INTO EXPLOITATION? Abductors and buyers of children typically seek boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 14 years of age. Children older than that are abducted as well, but not as often, because they ‘don’t offer the length of career’ that younger children do.

QUESTION 9: DOES SALVAGED CHILD MOSTLY FUNDRAISE FOR RESCUE HOUSES, OR DO YOU HAVE AN ACTIVE MINISTRY ROLE WITH THEM? While we do raise funds for our partners (rescue houses), we are very involved in the process of breaking the cycle of child exploitation/ trafficking. We actively seek opportunities to educate people about the evils of this industry (churches, colleges, schools, conferences), lead short-term evangelism trips to Asia (we have already led over 4000 people to Christ in the last four years), and through our parent ministry (Destiny), we also establish Bible colleges and Schools of Ministry – to train leaders, who in turn, will help to radically change their culture through Christ.

QUESTION 10: YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING THAT REALLY TOUCHES MY HEART, HOW CAN I HELP? Exploitation is a horrible, evil business. All of us at Salvaged Child (the numbers of people working for the cause is growing steadily) hate child exploitation with a passion. We must do whatever we can to help break the cycle for as many kids as possible. We have major contacts on the ground in the most critical child trafficking region of the world, and with your help, we can make a difference at the root of the tragedy. But we must ‘amp up’ our efforts – before its too late.

What is a child’s life worth? YOU can help salvage a child forever, by making a donation to Salvaged Child today. Please donate. Send check or money order to: Destiny Ministry, PO Box 1155, Jonesborough, TN  37659.

Thank you – for them. (Destiny is the parent ministry of Salvaged Child).

Want more FAQ’s? If you have additional questions regarding the exploitation/ trafficking of children, feel free to email us at: Info@salvagedchild.com. Thank you.