According to The American Bar Association, survivors of sex trafficking are unsurprisingly, at a much higher risk of contracting HIV than the average person. And sexually exploited children are even more likely to contract STIs due to their developing genitalia that is prone to tear, allowing for a higher chance of infection. While they are in “the life,” many of these girls and women do not have access to the healthcare they need. However, for those who can get out of the sexual exploitation industry, medical care is a critical factor in the recovery process.
At Pedal, one of our two fundraising beneficiaries is The Refuge, which provides a unique Circle of Care for survivors that stay there. One part of this approach is addressing the girls’ physical health and recovery after experiencing trauma at the hands of multiple abusers. In an ideal world, everyone who has survived sex-trafficking would be able to stay somewhere like The Refuge, but we don’t live in an ideal world. So for women and girls who are able to escape, other avenues to accessible healthcare are crucial.
This is where Planned Parenthood comes in. They, like The Refuge and Pedal The Pacific, is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing affordable sexual healthcare for people all over the world. As someone who has had to use their services after surviving assault, I can attest to how important their work is. When you’re scared, when you don’t know where to go, Planned Parenthood is there. Even if you’re not insured, they are prepared to work with you to create a doable plan. For people who are freshly out of the sex exploitation industry, this type of care shouldn’t be a luxury. It’s a necessity. A for necessity for medical care. A necessity for access to information on sexual health. A necessity for healthcare providers who make them feel safe and unashamed. A necessity to heal.
At Pedal, we address the racism, classism, and sexism at work in the child sex exploitation industry.We learn about the healing process. We learn to listen. We learn how to advocate. And acknowledging the importance of accessible sexual healthcare is just a part of that learning process. We will continue to learn. We will continue to advocate. And, as a team and individuals, we will do everything we can to support sexual healthcare.
