Sexual Slavery in Changsha

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Nine years ago, her first year in China, she inadvertently moved into a red light district. She was burdened to go in and talk with the women. Three months later she gained the courage. The front hostess barred the door. No, no, ignorant foreign woman, you want the actual hair salon over there -- you want the actual tea house over there -- you don't want to come in here. The hostess allowed her in but ignored her. After waiting half the day, at last the hostess served her tea. What do you want? She wanted to talk with one of the girls and pay for her time. Reluctant, confused and hostile, the hostess let her pick a girl just as a male patron would. They went back to her room and sat together on a mattress that covered the tight space. At first they didn't say anything while the girl voraciously consumed oranges that she'd brought along as a small gift. Then they talked -- awkwardly -- but it was good. They are still friends today, and this was the very beginning of a phenomenal effort to extend compassion to the sex slaves of Changsha. 

Where do I start.

Brothels are everywhere in this city. I counted seven obvious brothels at one busy intersection. 

Every Sunday morning while walking to church, our family passes by three brothels on one small road, about 200 meters from the doors of the church. Drew also walks this road every Saturday afternoon; I walk this road every Friday night. So many questions and such a strong sense of injustice compelled me to meet with an acquaintance, now a friend -- the woman who first dared to enter a brothel nine years ago. This may have been one of the most motivating, informative and important coffee dates of my life.

I can't write the half of what we talked about.

What little I knew:

Prostitution is illegal in China.

Yet sex is sold openly in literally every neighborhood. 

There are several graduations of prostitutes, ranging from a wealthy man's second wife to starving girls exchanging sex with migrant workers for a bowl of noodles. 

In this post I'm writing concerning a middle tier, women who work in small, common shops under the see-though guise of massage, hair salon, rest & leisure, health center, tea house, etc. Two characters indicate a brothel: 休闲 'at leisure', plus bright pink lighting and sexy-dressed women sitting inside.

Once when I walked by, I ventured to smile and wave at the girl inside. She gave me no response.

I thought these women were prostitutes; destitute or pressured to the point that they felt the best option was to sell sex.

Fraction of what I learned:

They're not prostitutes.

They are sex slaves.

Most women are originally from remote impoverished areas, sold by their families even before puberty. 

Many girls involved themselves in a dangerous situation such as a sketchy club, got drugged and kidnapped into sexual slavery.

A smaller percentage of women resolve to work as a prostitute, perhaps just for a short time to earn extra money for a specific hardship (i.e. medical treatment for her child). Yet in the end she becomes physically sick, emotionally and psychologically ruined, not the mom she was before.

I have often wondered what becomes of prostitutes when they grow old. The answer is that they do not grow old; they die young from disease, depression, malnutrition and abuse.

Freed for a new life:

I can't write it, it's too sensitive. I really wish I could tell you. All I can say is that there is light in darkness. Many have been involved, many have been affected. In Changsha it started with one compassionate woman and one sex slave nine years ago.

I have been ruined for blindness and passivity. When I started helping out at the city orphanage I was compelled to act, this led to bringing Jonathon into our family. I don't think my heart will ever be at peace to disengage from orphan care ever again, having witnessed several hundred orphans waiting in institutions for families to act. Now I am pressed by knowledge of another unjust reality, confronted with sexual slavery happening all around the city, specifically these three brothels that we pass by three days each week.

Now I'm ruined to ignoring the women in these places.

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I took these pictures on Friday night, from a side angle, not wanting the girls inside to see me with a camera and already feeling terribly conspicuous as neighbors watched me.

Links:

Prostitution in China -- an objective overview, including legal, economic, socio-cultural and public health considerations

DEFINITELY read this one: Prostitutes are worth it -- written from a perspective of compassion and hope, a parallel story to what is happening in our city; be sure to click on the photo to view a short slideshow of photos from a brothel

Email me if you would like to dialogue more.