I first heard about Pedal the Pacific through my dear friend Gracie Hornung. I watched her become an active advocate within our community. I was always excited to hear and witness her journey throughout her training and summer ride. She always talked about the “magic” behind Pedal and how she was learning so much.
Like many people, initially I had misconceptions about sex trafficking. When I hear about sex trafficking, I think about the crime shows that I watch like SVU Law and Order where girls get snatched from the streets and how it does not happen often. If not here then it's happening somewhere else. But as I have learned thus far, there is so much more to this multifaceted issue.
I picked up a book called Girls Like Us and read a few pages of it. I was disturbed and angered that girls as young as 11 are sexually exploited. That is younger than my baby sister. These are the ages of the students I work with as a substitute teacher. I felt sick because I cannot fathom this happening to any of my students. I felt ashamed for lacking so much knowledge about this topic. I realized emotional abuse and sexual abuse together is part of the sexual exploitation. Along with the fact the justice system is setting these victims for failure, angered me. I want their stories to be heard and I want these people to feel empowered. I want to inspire others to use their voices to inspire others to create change and challenge the system to move in the direction for a world where no one can be trafficked. Policy making can prevent these situations, tackling the root causes. I want to be a better advocate and raise awareness for every child, woman, and man who were stripped away from their freedoms. I ride for all the victims of sex-trafficking whose freedoms and voice were stripped away from them especially for marginalized communities who are more at risk. I will speak up and share with others about the knowledge I have gained.
"I want their stories to be heard and I want these people to feel empowered."
From the bike, it starts conversations with others which can be the catalyst for change to occur within communities. I have experienced the power of the bike from my summer ride with Texas 4000 where people shared their stories. Many people along the way felt a sense of hope. Hope that there will be a cure. Hope for change. I am eager to learn more and how I can contribute to the anti-sex trafficking movement. I am hopeful that one day no one will be for sale.
