Belles - In our backyard: human trafficking in America and what we can do to stop it

2015 by Nita Belles

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2015

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

ISBN 978-1-4412-4858-9

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Published in association with Ambassador Literary Agency, Nashville, TN.

While all the human trafficking incidents described in this book are true, stories have occasionally been dramatized to convey the tragedy of human trafficking on a personal level. In addition, names and other identifying characteristics have been changed in some instances to protect victims privacy and safety.

Whenever a name has been changed to protect identity, an asterisk (*) follows the name when it first appears. Out of respect, all victims statements have been quoted verbatim. The author chose not to correct or draw attention to any grammatical errors made by those whose native language is not English.

Some of the material contained in this book is for mature audiences.

For those who have joined the modern-day abolitionist movement, Nita Belless In Our Backyard is a vital resource and tool. I am thankful Baker has made it available to a wide audience. I highly recommend it. The information on potential indicators of human trafficking should be required reading for every concerned citizen.

Francine Rivers , author of Redeeming Love

Im the father of three and grandfather of five, so Nita Belless book strikes home. What she offers is knowledge of an unspeakable evilhuman trafficking. Information is power. Thus we who love our children owe Nita a huge debt of gratitude. In this well-written, arresting book, we have the information we need to defend those we love most. What greater gift could a writer give parents, grandparents, and any decent person?

Frank Schaeffer , author of Why I Am an Atheist Who Believes in God

In Our Backyard is an excellent introduction to learning about human trafficking, but it is more than that. It is a call to action. So many times, after learning that slavery still exists, people become overwhelmed and dont know what to do, where to start, how to help. What I love about this book are the discussion questions and the lists of practical, simple actions that are provided in each chapter. Each one of us can combat human trafficking, and it is imperative that each one of us does just that or it wont end. I was a high school history teacher for years and would tell my students about the tea drinkers of historythose who lamented a social ill but did nothing more than talk about it over their tea time. The tea drinkers never changed anything. We need fewer tea drinkers and more activists. This book will help you kick over the tea table and get started in the fight against modern-day slavery!

Kylla Lanier , cofounder and deputy director of Truckers against Trafficking

Too often the problem of human trafficking is talked about in terms of abstract numbers or statistics. In her carefully researched book, In Our Backyard , Nita Belles seeks to change that. By telling the harrowing story of numerous trafficking victims, Belles puts a human face on human trafficking. Trafficking victims are, as Belles makes clear, everyday people. They live among us in suburban communities, rural towns, and urban areas and in both rich neighborhoods and poor ones. Victims are US born and those born outside our borders. Some are educated; others, without schooling. Theyre women and girls mostly, but also boys. In short, they can be anyone. By telling the haunting stories of victims from all different walks of life, Belles shows us how traffickers recruit and dehumanize them as well as the emotional and physical toll that trafficking can take. The problem is a daunting one. But Belless book isnt to be read passively. Its a call to action. Every one of us can make a difference to end one of the greatest evils of our times, and in In Our Backyard , Nita Belles shows us how to do just that.

Anna Bastian , Bastian Center for the Study of Human Trafficking

The aptly titled In Our Backyard is superb, driving home that human trafficking occurs across town, not just across oceans. Belles compellingly calls for action based on the truth that every human life is of equal, enormous valueall created in the Creators image. Belles shows how trafficking victims arent illegal aliensthey are ensnared migrants and, often, pimped US citizens. In Our Backyard does as much as any book to shed light on how economic forcesgreed and demand, and even advertisingpropel trafficking. Belles carefully documents how sex trafficking is inextricably linked to prostitution and pornography as the flypaper preventing victims flight.

Mark Lagon , former US ambassador and director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and former executive director and CEO of Polaris Project

Nita Belless book detailing the shocking reality of forced labor and sex trafficking in the United States is a must-read.

Lynne Hybels , author, cofounder of Willow Creek Community Church

I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the passion Ms. Belles has for victims of human trafficking all across our country. I am very pleased to have had the honor to work alongside Nita. It is somewhat overwhelming to work in the presence of someone who has truly made a difference in so many peoples lives.

Heather Wagner , special assistant attorney general for attorney general Jim Hood of Mississippi

This book is dedicated to all the precious ones being used as modern-day slaves, to those of you who are sleeping in doorways or on the floors of garages, utility rooms, warehouses, crowded houses and apartments, and other places you never wanted to be. Its for those of you who have given up hope of finding help and those of you with a shred of hope left.

It comes with a message that you are lovedby people youve given up on, by a God who loves you in the midst of your circumstancesand with a message that many of us who care are on the move. We are committed to doing what we can and to petitioning God on your behalf for the rest. Yes, you are loved. Believe it.