Question F

[Jonetta]

We learn that Bella Caruso was sold into sex trafficking by her father and Hope Anderson was similarly sold be her stepfather after he had also sexually abused her. How common a practice do you think this is in the real world?

[Anita]

I sincerely hope this is not a common practice. It is really, really disgusting. But I can definitely see it happening in poor countries.

[Sharon]

I think it is more prevalent than I want to believe. We hear about cases all the time. There is a lot of evil in the world. Jeffrey Epstein is a perfect example. Who would think that the wealthy would participate in his parties and condone it.

[Robin]

I doubt that selling your daughter to a sex trafficker is common, but I can see it happening occasionally. If someone needs money for drugs or to pay off a loan from the mob, they'll do desperate things.

[Jonetta]

Years ago, I volunteered with an at risk program for teens and had to quit after a year because my heart couldn’t take it anymore. On just about every profile was a notation about sexual abuse by a relative. As outrageous as it may seem to us, it’s not as irregular as our imagination would limit us.

I think back on that time and it still brings me to tears. Remember, Epstein had a penchant for young girls and those using his services were drawn to that. And, these men have daughters.

[Sharon]

I'm amazed you lasted a year Jonetta. I looked into volunteering for a similar type of program. I changed my mind after interviewing with the counselor. I'm sure she wanted to make sure I could handle the situation before I showed up. I was in tears when she told me about the girls.

[Jonetta]

Sharon, I initially joined to help with the fundraising, which I was really good at. They got the bright idea that I’d be even better if I observed the program in person. That was my downfall. I wanted to save everyone but had no connection to their reality.

[Sharon]

That's what happens when you succeed in one area, they want more. I'm sure I would want to do the same.

[Robin]

Jonetta wrote: "Years ago, I volunteered with an at risk program for teens and had to quit after a year because my heart couldn’t take it anymore. On just about every profile was a notation about sexual abuse by a..."

I definitely believe there is a lot of sexual abuse from family members. I worked at the local (county) Children & Youth office for two years. Probably one-third of the children that were in foster care in our county had been molested or raped by someone in their family (father, uncle, brother, stepfather). I had to transcribe the social worker's notes into the case files. I read a lot of disgusting stuff. The one thing I noticed is that there were so many mothers who didn't believe their child. They would side with their husband or boyfriend over the child.

Jonetta, I agree that it's really hard to hear about stuff like that day after day. I pretty much had to let it roll off of me or it would drive me crazy.

[Jonetta]

What made it unbearable was being with the kids and hearing their stories directly. It cut deeper than I ever could have imagined. It was tough reading it; hearing it first hand and seeing the pain in those young eyes just wrecked me.

[Jonetta]

I don’t know which is worse…to have the relative sexually abuse you or have your mother not believe you.

[Melissa]

The whole idea just breaks my heart. I have no idea how often things like this happen and, honestly, I don't want to know. Kudos to you Jonetta for being there when you were to help them.

[Sharon]

I agree Robin and Jonetta. I think it is worse when a parent doesn't believe the child. They can't trust anyone. Most of the mothers who don't believe their children are more interested in having a "man" around than they are protecting and raising their children.

[Jonetta]

Unfortunately, I think you’re right, Sharon. They don’t want to risk losing the “man,” no matter how “piecey” they are (my Mom used to use this adjective for disappointing men).

[Robin]

Exactly Sharon. These women must always have a man. It doesn't matter what awful things he has done.