What can you do to help our children, the most vulnerable in our communities? It is important that we become vigilant, have watching eyes of things that do not look right. Ask questions, get involved with the neighborhood, volunteer to help in our schools, churches, and Boys and Girls Clubs. Just recently, The U.S. Marshals service, with the joint efforts of others in a 6-week nationwide operation, found 200 missing children of sex trafficking, sexually abused and runaways. “The Sound of Freedom” a movie that was recently playing explored the many facets of human trafficking and sexually abused children through greedy individuals that exploited them for, financial and physical gain.
I am reminded of a situation that involved a young girl many years ago where the mother was the predator. Predators have been defined by the Oxford dictionary as any species of animal that hunts and kills members of another species for food. Ok, “kill” is a strong definition, but is appropriate when one’s life is harmed, killing their spirits where they will never be the same. EasyLlama considers that those with predatory behavior refers to actions and conduct characterized by the exploitation, manipulation, or harm of others for personal gain, satisfaction or gratification. This mother operated with predatory behavior and offered her young child to the landlord for sexual favors to make her monthly rent payments. Can you imagine the life trauma this child had experienced physically, mentally and emotionally from a person that she loves, and was to love and care for her? May we as individuals choose to get involved with reaching out to our youth and be their sounding boards and allow them to openly talk over trusted experiences. As gatekeepers of our children, there are six signs that may help us as vested individuals recognize sexual predators. These individuals may (have):
- Overstep Boundaries
- Manipulative Behavior
- Secrecy and Isolation
- Sexual Obsession
- Non-consensual Sharing of Explicit Material
- Coercion and Pressure
As a Life Coach, I believe that individuals dealing with predatory experiences may benefit from journaling and encourage them to write their expectations down on paper. Habakkuk 2:2 And the Lord answered me, and said, “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” This helps provide a clearer direction or perspective of individual goals.
May we communicate with others and allow individuals to begin talking about their life experiences, bringing transparency to the forefront and through this we have seen healing. In our group counseling sessions, we are learning how valuable communicating with others is, and how it helps us to understand their struggles and allow freedom to share in one’s own experiences and to receive a voice.
Join DrWanda, Life Coach in group sessions on Tuesday Mornings 10:30AM-12:30 PM at Selma Senior Center or individual sessions by appointments by calling:(919)605-1257.
Thank you,
DrWanda
Sources
glamourmagazine.co.uk
oxforddictionary.com
easyllama.com predatorybehaviordefinitions
departmentofjustice-mayloulang
soundoffreedom-Angel Studios, Inc.
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