5 Important Books on Commercial Sexual Exploitation to Read and Pass Along
As Human Trafficking Awareness Month comes to an end, it is critical that the focused attention, learning, and actions taken this month don’t stop. “Awareness” months are fleeting, but the fight to end this egregious form of abuse rages on every day.
We are thrilled to be launching a new monthly series focused on continuous learning and action-taking with resource recommendations by our staff. For January, our Youth Services Manager, Olivia Angood Hardy, LCSW has selected 5 powerful books to read and share with others.
“Girls Like Us” by Rachel Lloyd: This is a great introductory book for people wanting to learn about the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). Rachel Lloyd shares pieces of her own story, as well as how she started her nonprofit organization, Girls Education & Mentoring Services (GEMS) based in New York City. GEMS is a pioneering survivor-led organization working to support young people who have experienced CSEC. All new staff at My Life My Choice receive this book to read as part of their training and onboarding.
“A Piece of Cake” by Cupcake Brown: This powerful memoir is about the transformational importance of having at least one supportive adult/mentor in one’s life. Cupcake Brown survived CSEC, homelessness, foster care, addiction, and gang involvement to become a lawyer and motivational speaker.
“Pushout” by Monique W. Morris: This book explains how American systems, particularly the education system, consistently fail Black girls. Black girls and young people of color are at disproportionate risk of CSEC in large part due to the systems that criminalize, overlook, and create barriers for them.
“Paid For” by Rachel Moran: In this book, Rachel Moran shares how she was first exploited at age 14 and stayed in “the Life” until age 22. She shares with readers her “journey through prostitution” and explains how inherently violent the sex industry is and gives insight into how dangerous full decriminalization would be.
“Free Cyntoia” by Cyntoia Brown: Cyntoia Brown was arrested and sentenced to life in prison at 16 years old for killing a man in self-defense who bought her for sex. She shares her story of redemption and resiliency.
We know that data, infographics, photos, and videos can all be used to achieve effective education and awareness about a topic. But time and again the most powerful way to connect people is through storytelling. We encourage you to read these survivor-centered books: listening to survivors, believing survivors, and amplifying survivor voices are essential in the fight to end commercial sexual exploitation.