This January at Covenant Eyes, we highlight human trafficking awareness. Many do not realize there is a close connection between porn and human trafficking.
In over 20 years of helping people on the journey away from porn, we have found that highlighting porn’s connection with sex trafficking gives a lot of motivation to those who are trying to quit.
How so? First, it demonstrates the consequences of watching pornography. We usually think of it as a personal, private decision that doesn’t affect anyone else. However, what many don’t realize is this decision actually affects many people beyond themselves.
Second, it helps us recognize the humanity behind pornographic images. Pornography dehumanizes and objectifies people—turning them into sexual commodities. Our friend Matt Fradd says this is the essential reason porn is wrong: it’s unloving. “If we treat people as commodities that merely bring us pleasure, and we don’t treat others in a way that promotes their own good, we aren’t showing love.”
See: Is Porn Bad? 10 Things to Consider Before Watching.
One person who is showing love to those who have been dehumanized through trafficking is Dan Emr, the founder of Worthwhile Wear. Our podcast team sat down with Dan to talk about his work, and his heart to help restore the victims of trafficking.
Can you talk about the problem of human trafficking?
“This is a big a big issue on a global scale. I think a lot of people when they hear human trafficking are overwhelmed with the knowledge that modern day slavery exists. And these are human beings. These people have value as an individual, but also an eternal value as well.
What made you interested in helping trafficked victims?
“When I first heard about this, it was an interruption, essentially, that took me from where I was going with that. You know that kind of that American dream, you know. Get a good job, make money, have nice stuff. And then God said, No, I have something else for you.”
“I was going to church one morning to hear a sermon, and a young couple came to share about what they were doing with women in Cambodia that were being trafficked and exploited. That was my first introduction to what trafficking was, and I immediately went up to them afterwards and said, I need to help you. I need to get involved.”
Dan eventually launched his organization, Worthwhile Wear, in India. After he’d already started working overseas, Dan was shocked to learn that the same kind of trafficking happens in the USA. This motivated him to see how he could help trafficked victims locally, as well as those in developing countries. Two years later, Worthwhile Wear began serving trafficked victims in the USA as well.
What does your organization do?
“We started Worthwhile Wear apparel, and developed the center there to make clothing, providing employment to women.”
That’s only the start though. Dan went on:
“For the past 10 years we’ve developed the most comprehensive model for survivors here in the State of Pennsylvania. We provide long term housing, and we provide employment here in the States.”
He also explained the programs they have in place to help trafficked women recover socially and psychologically from the trauma of their experiences.
“Women that have experienced various forms of sexual trauma come to these programs and learn about the resources available to them, including counseling, housing programs, food banks, etc.”
“That’s a very brief description of what we do as an organization. Trafficking is so comprehensive that we need to respond in a comprehensive manner.”
Dan had lots more to share with us in a conversation jam-packed with moving stories, important data, and helpful suggestions for getting involved. Check out the full conversation with Dan Emr here. To learn more about how you can get involved with his organization and help women who have been victimized by sex trafficking, check out the full podcast with Dan here.
Keith Rose
Holds a Master of Divinity degree and BA in Sacred Music. Keith worked with the Covenant Eyes Member Care Team for 15 years. He has also served as a Bible teacher, pastoral assistant, and music director at his local church. He’s now the editor of the Covenant Eyes blog and the author of Allied: Fighting Porn With Accountability, Faith, and Friends. He lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina with his wife Ruby and daughter Winslow.
The Nathan Project is sharing this blog from our partner Covenant Eyes. The original article can be found by clicking on the logo.
