The Meaning Behind ECPAT-USA's Survivor Solidarity Ride For Rev. Adrian Dannhauser
As ECPAT-USA prepares for its second annual Survivor Solidarity Ride, we were grateful to hear from ECPAT-USA Board Member Rev. Adrian Dannhauser as she prepares to ride for a second time. Take a look below to learn more about what the ride means to her personally and how YOU can take action to protect kids.
Can you share how you first became aware of the issue of child sex trafficking and sexual exploitation?
I learned about child sex trafficking through the media back in 2012. I happened to see a talk show featuring a woman from California whose parents began prostituting her when she turned 11. Shortly thereafter, I came across a magazine article about sex trafficking in Mexico. I was completely shocked and horrified that this could actually be happening anywhere, at home or abroad. So I started doing research online. l felt outraged at the ugliness of the issue, despair over its magnitude, and a sense of frustrated urgency to do something, while not knowing what that could possibly be. Yet the more informed I became, the more I learned about people and organizations fighting human trafficking and the more empowered I felt. I found out about ECPAT-USA and specifically their role in combating the commercial sexual exploitation of children through engaging the travel industry. After connecting with ECPAT-USA, I began advocating for the Tourism-Child Protection Code of Conduct with my faith community, and my connection with ECPAT-USA grew from there.
This will be your second Survivor Solidarity Ride, what does this ride mean to you personally?
Solidarity is the most important part of this ride for me. By going to places where members of the Council and other survivors have been trafficked, we bear witness to the tragedy of their experiences and also what they’ve overcome. We have so much to learn in order to be effective allies and advocates. I know that this ride will deepen my understanding of the issue so that I can stand in deeper solidarity with victims and survivors, fighting for their interests as if they were my own.
As we prepare for another year’s ride, was there a moment or experience from last year's ride that was especially moving or memorable?
Two stops on the ride were especially memorable for me because they captured the devastating reality of sex trafficking while also signifying justice. The third stop along the route was a strip club near Queensbridge Park. One member of the Survivors’ Council said her trafficker made her approach men coming out of the club late at night. The good news is that this particular club has been shut down due to criminal activity.
The fourth stop was Greenpoint in Brooklyn. Another member of the Survivors' Council was delivered by car to several homes in this neighborhood, among others, every night. She was only 14. I heard her bravely testify in court against her traffickers, all of whom were convicted on all counts.
While most trafficking victims do not get to see justice rendered against their exploiters, these stories demonstrate that collectively, we can turn the tide in holding abusers accountable, especially with organizations like ECPAT-USA advocating for policy change.
The ECPAT-USA 2020 Survivor Solidarity Ride at the route’s starting point in Hunts Point.
What do you hope riders and supporters will take away from this year’s ride?
New York City is undeniably a hub for sex trafficking, and most people aren’t surprised to learn that. What may be eye-opening about this year’s ride is that it’s taking place in parts of Long Island that look like much of the U.S. The commercial sexual exploitation of children is going on in every state, and possibly every community, throughout our country. I hope riders and supporters will gain an understanding of just how prevalent the problem is and therefore be motivated to address it in their local contexts.
Throughout your years as a member of ECPAT-USA’s Board of Directors, how have you seen awareness of this issue change during that time? What gives you hope when it comes to this issue?
I have seen strides in awareness-raising about human trafficking generally, including more press coverage of the issue, more proposed legislation to address it, more private sector engagement, and more training of professionals who interact with victims and survivors. I’ve also seen ECPAT-USA become increasingly robust in its reach and impact, which is a sure sign that people are paying attention to the issue and looking to take action by supporting effective anti-trafficking organizations. My hope lies in the strong, prophetic voices of survivor advocates who call for justice and call us to come alongside them in fighting for change.
Lastly, if someone wants to take action to prevent child trafficking and sexual exploitation in their community, what do you recommend they do?
Three things that everyone can do right away:
1) Save the National Human Trafficking Hotline number in your cell phone: 888-373-7888. You’ll be ready if you see a potential trafficking situation or encounter a victim or survivor who needs help.
2) Support legislation aimed at combatting child sex trafficking. For example, ECPAT-USA is working hard for the passage of the EARN IT Act, which would enable U.S. citizens to hold technology companies accountable if they aid and abet the distribution and/or consumption of child sexual abuse material. Click here to learn more and contact your U.S. Representatives.
3) Share with a friend what you’ve learned about the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The more light we shine on this issue, the harder it will be for exploiters to operate under the cover of darkness.