Anti-trafficking advocates share stories of disturbing realities of human trafficking
By Krista Tatschl, Chloe Godding
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KMBC) — Warning: This story discusses sexual abuse, trafficking and exploitation. Resources are listed at the bottom of this article if you need help or need to report a trafficking situation.
It’s a problem that persists year-round, but the World Cup and its influx of travelers have spotlighted the dangers and realities of human trafficking in Kansas City and around the world.
“When you’re on that corner, thousands of cars pass you every day, so you’re invisible,” Christine McDonald said. “Nobody sees your pain.”
McDonald spent 21 years forced into sex, dozens of times a day in Kansas City.
“When I was a little girl, I was like, you know, when I grow up, I want to play the piano, and I want to be a piano teacher,” McDonald said.
Traffickers used her starting at 15 years old.
“He said, ‘I got this job. I got this job. I can give you a job,'” McDonald said. “I was violently raped, locked in a room. I no longer had a choice.”
McDonald knows ending trafficking is no easy task.
“Until men are willing to stop paying for people, we’re never going to end traffickers luring and exploiting and enticing and abusing and trapping and leaving our vulnerable dead,” she said. “And that’s the truth.”
And purchasing sex isn’t the only contributor; pornography plays a major role in trafficking.
“For me, pornography was a gateway drug to me to go to strip clubs, adult entertainment theaters, that type of thing,” said Neil Getzlow. “And then ultimately in my mid-20s, you know, led me to seeking out women who were selling sex.”
Getzlow is now an anti-trafficking advocate, and he shares his story of past porn addiction and sex purchases.
He described one incident where his actions came face to face with his personal life.
“I went and found someone online to go meet, went to her hotel room and met up and was getting ready to leave,” he said. “And there was a second bedroom door that opened up, and out walks a gentleman with his cell phone in his hand. And he already had my wife’s contact information on the phone. … It was her picture, cell phone number, Facebook page. And he’s like, ‘You’re going to pay us more money or we’re going to call your wife.'”
His unmasking led to repentance and understanding of his addiction.
“I was trapped in the shame cycle, you know, and nobody loves me. I’m alone. I’m going to look at pornography or go visit someone to make myself feel better,” he said.
Now, he recognizes its role in trafficking and sexual abuse.
“If you’re looking at pornography, you’re contributing to sex trafficking,” Getzlow said. “That click you’re making is contributing to someone who’s controlling these women that are in these videos.”
Both McDonald and Getzlow credit their faith for helping them break out of their previous lifestyles. McDonald is now a mother, an author, a vibrant public speaker. Getzlow is a writer.
Authorities in Kansas City are continuing to track down traffickers and help victims be freed from that lifestyle.
There are multiple ways to report possible human trafficking or receive help.
Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 Text the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 233733 If the situation is urgent, call 911
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