By Bill Woolf
Profanity is abhorrent and offensive, words that demean and defame other people. We tell kids not to use the “F” word, but what about the two “P” words that are so ubiquitous in our culture? I am talking about the use of “pimp” and “prostitute.” How many times have we jokingly used them in a careless manner, not knowing their true meaning—es- pecially in the context of human trafficking? The discovery of more and more instances of human trafficking - the second largest criminal enterprise in the United States - continues to shock society.
The presentation of statistics showing trends of trafficking and other forms of exploitation increasing year after year, shows the incredible number of US teenagers and children that are being coerced into the commercial sex industry. Oftentimes these numbers are met with confused looks and stares; “How could this happen here in the United States?” There are many factors that have led to the growing problem...Tolerance has shifted past mere acceptance into the realm of promoting certain dangerous and risky behaviors. This has served to create new societal norms that are implanted in the impressionable minds of youth today...