Renting Lacy: A Story Of America's Prostituted Children

by Linda Smith

A story of America's prostituted children.

Genres: Nonfiction, Social Justice, Memoir, Audiobook, True Crime, Activism, Sexuality

163 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Linda Smith (born July 16, 1950 in La Junta, Colorado) is a member of the Republican Party who represented Washington's 3rd congressional district from 1995 to 1999 in the United States House of Representatives. After leaving politics, Linda Smith founded Shared Hope International, a nonprofit organization to rescue and restore women and children in crisis. Since its creation, Smith has worked around the world and within the United States on behalf of those who have been victimized through sex trafficking.

Reviews

[Jeannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't let my 3 stars prevent you from being informed. The author and her mission get well above 5 stars for me. Because of the disturbing subject matter, I can only go as high as 3 for the book. It is written in a very quick/easy-to-read novel-like format without being grossly explicit (enough to understand the severity of the issue, but avoiding unnecessary details.) I really wish goodreads had categories for rating books - there are so many ways to look at a book - it's difficult to give one "overall." This is a must-read for anyone interested in knowing what is really going on in regards to missing children, prostitution, pornography and economics. I would not have chosen to read this book because the subject matter is depressing, but the author is local here in Vancouver, WA and a representative of the mission (sharedhope, international www.sharedhope.org ) started by the author spoke at my husband's LIONS Club meeting this past week. Linda is a former congress woman and has really written this book as a "CALL TO ACTION."
It was definitely an eye-opener and gave me a completely different outlook on prostitutes and the psychological and manipulative (along with other forms) abuse they undergo to become a prostitute - think of Stockholm Syndrome (Jaycee Dugard and Elizabeth Smart) and you're on the right track - with the average age world-wide starting at 13. I will never look at posters for "missing and exploited children" the same again.
It was also very informative as she explained how economics (supply and demand) is the driving force for this ever-growing industry with pimps getting more crafty and brazen and closer to home as the demand increases for ever younger and greater supply - much thanks to internet porn and ignorance. I appreciated that the scope of her mission not only focuses on rescuing and healing the victims, but working to change laws so pimps and johns (buyers) have some accountability as well thru WATA (War Against Trafficking Aliance). It's SHOCKING that johns get away with this in our current system and if it weren't for them, there would be no prostitutes. Linda Smith is beyond admirable as she is courageously fighting an uphill battle (which has been around since the beginning of time - don't forget Judah and Tamar in Genesis) to get to the heart and core/cause of the issue and not just address the effects and victims. It's definitely worth our time to be informed and contribute however we can within our scope of influence.

[John Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hear-wrenching, sobering look at the realities of America's prostituted children. Through skillful narrative, interwoven with commentary by the author, the book shows the inside of the child prostitution industry from the prospective of the girls. Smith, a former U.s. congresswoman, is founder of Shared Hope International, an organization that fights sex trafficking and commercial sex exploitation. The realistic, thought-provoking book clearly explains the psychological abuse that pimps inflict to keep these teen and pre-teen girls working as prostitutes, and touches on the growing lust of the clients that will only make this problem grow worse unless Americans get angry enough to stop it. That is unlikely, with a growing demand for porn. And men who look at porn want increasingly taboo material. Lately that has been child porn. If someone wants to have sex with a 16-year-old girl, it's not that much of a leap to pay for sex with an 11-year-old girl. It's time for the church to get angry about this.

[Leah Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does one go about rating and reviewing a book like this? The subject matter should never be discussed, and yet it must be because evil thrives behind the doors of secrecy. (To clarify, when I say "must," I'm strictly referring to adults. This is not a book or topic for young readers .... and even teens should use discernment about educating themselves.)

This is a tough book. My almost 19 year old brother--a manly guy who is well informed on the subject--struggled to read it (he read it before me). Yet it is valuable. It brings the individual victims of child sex trafficking to life and forced readers to confront the reality that these are not bad girls who choose and want their life, even when they themselves claim to.

[Danica is Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly gripping heartwrenching read. This book told stories that were tragic and yet the truth. I meant to only read a chapter; I read all night long.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars.

A necessary read for anyone. This book was recommended in my human trafficking course in grad school. Everything in this book checks out and is on point with the information given. Highly recommend.

Also. Go add Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd to your TBR if you need another really well done anti trafficking book

[Alyse Wright-Webb]

Incredibly devastating and profoundly inspiring book. This book was essential for CST prevention work. I don’t feel right rating the book because there’s nothing else so impactful I could compare it to.

[Aaron Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Elesondra DeRomano "El" when she came to my department and presented to us. I bought the book which El said contains a piece of her story. I started reading it and couldn't put it down until I finished it. I had a pretty good understanding about how sex trafficking works due to my occupation, but it was interesting to hear the perspective of those who lived it and are now removed from it. The psychological aspects were interesting especially with Star' character in the book. Thinking that no matter what Bobby loves her and she's special. It will definitely make me ask some harder questions when I interview youth in the future. Thank you again El for coming and sharing your story with us. I'm glad God made our paths cross.

[Brianna Lanoue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hard read, but so well done!

[Emily Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gut-wrenching, but so necessary to learn and try to understand what our children are facing. Awareness turns into action.

[Kirsten Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Renting Lacy" is an amazing eye-opener. It addresses prostitution in America through a multitude of perspectives, some of which most wouldn't consider. The stories of people who are forced, or tricked, into the prostitution industry, like those of Star and Lacy, were brought to light. The changes in point-of-view throughout the story put the size and impact of the prostitution industry into perspective for me. It connected the stories of the girls sold as prostitutes with the stories of men "feeding" into this industry.
In between and after some chapters, the author added commentaries from people who were either victims of prostitution or police officers who specialized in ending prostitution. Most of the time, they contained statistics about how many people are sold annually through prostitution in America, and they revealed the "big picture" to me. This book shed light on a serious problem happening in America in the best way possible.

[Betty Kuffel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for all adults and teens. Children enslaved in prostitution is a common occurrence in the US and around the world. This book opens a door directly into this terrible underworld from which there is little escape. The information is eye-opening and a shocking view into a society where it is as easy to order a child delivered to your hotel room for sex as it is to order a pizza. The book helps those of us unaware of the prevalence of sex trafficking be more vigilant and able to identify risks and take actions that may save a life.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Please read this book - copies available at www.sharedhope.org No, I did not like learning that child sex slavery in the United States is a growing reality. This is an extremely difficult book to read due to the nature of the topic, but if you care about children, the United States, and justice, you must read it.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read. We must become educated about sex trafficking in this country. We must realize that the "prostitutes" are really the "victims," especially the children who are prostituted. I will not look at the world the same. My preconceptions have been challenged and changed. "Once you know, you cannnot not know."

[Tyler Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a huge we opener for me. The book follows the stories of several victims of domestic sex trafficking while the author gives helpful commentary and insight periodically. I definitely plan on becoming more involved in helping solve this global issue.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not an easy read but a necessary one. We all need to be educated on the realities of the sex trafficking of minors in THIS country. We must educate people to its existence if we are ever going to be able to stop this horrific practice.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw. Unnerving. Completely recommend.

[Kelly Liberto · Rating 5 out of 5]

“They are America’s children. They’re our neighbors. They’re our children’s classmates. They’re in our very homes. They are our children. We must save them.”

— Renting Lacy: A Story of America's Prostituted Children by Linda Smith, Cindy Coloma

I’ve heard it said that in order to reach a reader’s heart one must use story. In Renting Lacy A Story of America’s Prostituted Children Congresswoman Linda Smith informs the reader with the facts of sex trafficking while leading him through the gruesome lives of several victims. One she names “Lacy.”

Her compassion for the victims of this business is apparent and her passion to help them becomes clear as she states all that her organization Shared Hope International does to stop it.

The book includes the laws made to help protect the children sometimes as young as 11 or 12 from becoming enslaved in this business. To helping decriminalize the victim when they are found by law enforcement.

A good deal of the misidentification comes from people who think that these young girls and boys deserve or want to be abused and used as sex slaves. When the truth is that they are targeted and picked off the street by men who hope to make a profit.

In the glossary Ms. Smith provides the terms used in trafficking. The ‘ trafficker’ or ‘pimp’ is given to the person looking to sell girls. They look for kids from broken homes, abusive families or even online. They lure these adolescent children with gifts, promises to fulfill their dreams or even take them to abuse them and drug them repeatedly.

Part of the process they use to keep them dependent is similar to a hostage situation where they break them down through intervals of “love” and abuse. Until the child can no longer go back home or stop doing what her handler wants her to do. These kids learn at an early age to do what they are told to do through abuse and the pattern continues when they are “groomed” by their pimp.

In the book, Ms. Smith states “The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that each year at least 100,000 children are the human products meeting the demand of the sex trafficking industry in the U.S. alone. Around the world, more than one million children are subjected to human trafficking for sex or porn. The industry is estimated to bring in $ 9.5 billion annually.”

The statistics are too high for you and I to turn our attention away from this very real problem in our country.

What can we do to help?

Ms. Smith outlines specific directives she and her organization are using to help eradicate sex slavery in our country today. She offers hope for the reader as we see her “victims” find help in various agencies and a way back to living healthy productive safe lives away from their abductors.

This book for purposes of alerting the reader to the dangers of trafficking is not intended for a young person. Strong language and sexual terminology are used throughout the book.

It’s a difficult book to read but necessary

[Fred Dameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very easy read. Told as a story of Star and Lacey, composite characters who tell the story of America's prostituted children. Now as composite characters they tell the real story. It is raw, but a quick read. Between each scene as Star moves into the life and Lacy heads to end of the life there are references from judges, politicians, cops and social workers who are trying to end this scourge that is running across America. This work was written 10 years ago and everything is still the same.

Most states and law enforcement see prostitution as the girls fault. The johns are not at fault, but the johns are the demand. Where there is demand for underage sex this demand will be supplied. The supply will come from girls who aren't popular, disconnected from family, distressed and as a last resort straight up kidnapping of our children. They will be repeatedly raped and broken, they will be sold or rented to pimps in other cities beside where they originally came from, and they will be constantly raped by the Johns.

Why are girls who are under aged being treated as adults?

Why are there so few beds available for young girls to be sent to for psychiatric help that they need?

Why does the U.S. Blame girls who were brought into the life at 12 as adults and leave them with a criminal recorded, when the John she was arrested with is let go and NOT charged as a pediophiel? If the girl is in the missing and exploited data base with an age lower than 18 why is the John in most cases given a warning and let go?

There are a hundred more questions that can be asked and this work does give a person outside resources to help answer them. But as I said after 10 years from publishing the system still gives old white men, most of the Johns who use prostitutes, a break with John School and a clean record. DOn't believe me look at Robert Kraft and what happened in Florida two years ago.

This is why this work is important. These girls are still being used, they are still little girls who should be looking for their first kiss not their 10th sex act of the night. They need our help and we need to change the laws to actually help and protect these children.

Read the work and the end notes. It will only take a day or two.

[Sarah Jensen]

Book Review: Renting Lacy: A Story of America's Prostituted Children by Linda Smith and Cindy Martinusen Coloma

Renting Lacy: A Story of America's Prostituted Children is a poignant and eye-opening exploration of an often-overlooked societal issue. Co-authored by Linda Smith and Cindy Martinusen Coloma, the book sheds light on the disturbing realities faced by young girls caught in the web of prostitution and exploitation. Smith's commendable mission to raise awareness and incite action against these grave injustices is at the forefront of this compelling narrative.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the book is written in a quick, easy-to-read format that makes the difficult truths accessible to a wide audience. The authors skillfully avoid unnecessary explicit details, allowing readers to grasp the gravity of the situation without becoming overwhelmed. This thoughtful approach ensures the focus remains on the critical issues at hand, making it an essential read for those interested in the complexities surrounding missing children, prostitution, and pornography.

Linda Smith, who is local to Vancouver, WA, leverages her experiences and insights to advocate for change. The book thoughtfully examines the psychological abuse endured by young women in the sex trade, drawing parallels to phenomena like Stockholm Syndrome, which highlights the complexities of their trauma. This perspective fosters a deeper understanding of the plight faced by these individuals, urging readers to empathize with their struggles.

Furthermore, Renting Lacy delves into the economic factors driving the demand for prostitution, particularly in the age of internet pornography. It serves as a critical reminder of how societal changes can lead to increased vulnerability among children. The authors emphasize the urgent need for rescue, healing, and legislative reform to hold both pimps and buyers accountable, calling for a collective societal response to this pressing issue.

Overall, this book not only informs but also inspires action. It empowers readers to be informed and engaged in efforts to combat child exploitation. In an age where such discussions are more crucial than ever, Renting Lacy is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand and address the harsh realities faced by prostituted children in America. Linda Smith and Cindy Martinusen Coloma have crafted a powerful message that resonates long after the final page is turned, urging us all to contribute to the cause and advocate for change.

[Maggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very hard book to read, but oh so important. Sex trafficking is happening in America, in our own backyards. Told in novel form, Linda Smith does a great job of sharing real life stories of the victims, their family members, the pimps who sell them, and the advocates who fight to save them while also weaving in commentaries about the truth of human trafficking: where does it happen? Who are the victims? Why don't they run away? Wouldn't it be better to just lower the age of consent? What kind of men buy and sell children?

While not a lengthy book, it took me a while to get through it. I had to keep putting it down because even with everything I know about the issue human trafficking, the details were sometimes hard to stomach.

A must read for everyone who wants to learn about human trafficking. Stop thinking you know about human trafficking because of fear-mongering posts you see on Facebook warning you of sex traffickers at Walmart or Target. Find out what human trafficking really looks like.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the culmination of an extensive research project showing that there is child sex trafficking in most American cities as well as some smaller towns. I think this is a hard truth for most of us to accept. There are hundreds of thousands of children who are being trafficked each year, and this book shows us several things we can do about it, no matter our station in society or economic bracket. I have heard people say that prostitution is a victimless crime that should be legalized. This book emphatically refutes that, especially when the children providing sex are under age and are often dealing with coercion. For those of us who are Christians, we must not turn away from this. We have an opportunity and a responsibility to reach out to these children with kindness, encouragement, and practical help. This won’t go away on its own.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who are interested in the true state of affairs regarding sexual trafficking within the US by exploiting children 12-14 years of age who are US citizens, then this is the book for you. As part of my volunteer activity for my church, I have become interested in helping rescue those who are doomed to this life and further study has definitely been eye-opening since attending an all day workshop at my church called Eyes Wide Open. This is a world-wide problem but one that hits close to home since I live in the #3 county in the State of Florida for perpetuating human sexual trafficking. I strongly recommend reading this book since it's happening everywhere in this country, even in small towns.

[Christina Mendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves nothing less than 5 stars and shame on anyone giving it less. Yes, the subject matter is difficult. Especially as someone who has had abuse in my past, it is very hard to read. But it is IMPORTANT. There is no book I've read that better puts into light what is actual happening in our own backyards. The book is hard to put down, her writing is wonderful and she rides the line of not getting too graphic while making sure the reader understands these severity of these real world situations. My eyes were opened and since I read it as a young woman, it may have kept me out of harms way a time or two. Please, read this book!

[Megan Denny · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book’s worst crime is that, unless you know anything about human trafficking, you’ll think it’s pretty good. In truth, it distorts statistics and portrays human trafficking as an issue of little white girls getting kidnapped due to a lack of moral rigor in this country, to be solved by a return to religious fundamentalism. In truth, sex trafficking is usually conducted by family members or close friends or to migrants who have no other way of leaving a dangerous situation. It requires complex and empathetic solutions that also address the more common, interconnected issue of labor trafficking.

[Eileen O'Finlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very important book. If you think human trafficking doesn't happen in the U.S. read this book. If you think most prostitutes chose their life or have any control over what happens to them, read this book. You will be surprised. Renting Lacy explains in explicit detail how children are lured away by pimps, then conditioned and brainwashed through torture and mind games to be totally compliant and loyal to their pimps. Every parent should read this book. Make your kids aware. Keep your kids safe.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with extremely hard material to stomach. There is no type of “sugar coating” to this book, which I felt was necessary to correctly depict the terrifying topic at hand. The book is filled with multiple storylines to portray the different positions people hold in trafficking. This is raw and uncut material, eye opening, and disturbing. This sparks interest in me to do more research and see how not just the world, but the United States specifically, is working to defeat trafficking.

[Ashley]

An effective tool for introducing someone to the issue of child sex trafficking. Not overly/unnecessarily explicit but detailed enough to give a new reader a foundational understanding. Those who are well acquainted with the issue may not learn anything new or ground-breaking, but it is an effective refresher with useful sources and recommendations. I really appreciate all the author is trying to accomplish through this work!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel a deep sense of grief as I finish this book. This book is filled with facts, a discussion guide, and additional resources for the reader to gain a better understanding. It also tells the story of young women that are trafficked. Why it is so hard for them to leave the life. How difficult it is to provide care and help for these women. Also, to me, it shines some light exactly where it belongs, on the johns.

"Every little girl - no matter if she's 10 or 25, 30 or 50 - is worth saving."

[Kelly Coles · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is impossible to fathom what it’s like to be a victim of sex trafficking if you have not lived it, but this book answers questions so many people have about sex trafficking, including why victims don’t leave their pimps.

It paints a picture of “the life” through the eyes of several girls controlled by the same trafficker and makes a clear case for prosecuting buyers and not victims.

While some of it is out of date, it still holds up as a great resource for understanding this crime.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of this book

This book was written very well. It tells you how the pumps select the girls, how they groom them, how they manipulate them brainwash them. This book was an eye opener for me .I had no idea... How very sad that the world has become so depraved. And the victims just keep getting younger and younger. There should be stricter penalties for the perp.