The US State Department just released its 2017 Human Trafficking Report which can be downloaded here: https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2017/index.htm
This is a behemoth of a report comprising of over 454 pages of what some may consider fluff.
If you look through the table of contents you will see a lot of great background information, countries of interest, and some situational awareness material. This all sounds fine and dandy but when you divulge deeper, you will find little to no chapter(s) designated to discuss actions taken to truly counter this global crisis.
This leads me to USA Gymnastics.
The State Department report comes during a time when USA Gymnastics came forth after months of investigations regarding sexual abuse. In the past 24 hours, USA Gymnastics came forth providing an apology to gymnast victims whom were sexually assaulted. But worse, they believe to stop this madness, an actual “cultural change” must be implemented.
Here is a direct quote taken out of a recent Associated Press article:
The report calls for a change in culture but those who created the toxic culture remain in charge of the organization,” Manly said in a statement. “The lack of any real investigation, facts or accountability for those who failed thousands of boys and girls victimized by Nassar and others in the report is disturbing.
Cultural Change?
Are you shitting me? How about we simply re-enforce laws to ensure sexual predators are far removed from any proximity of our children!
As one can clearly see, USA Gymnastics and the US State Department, two monstrous institutions, refuse to take the crisis of child sexual assault, the slave trade, or human trafficking seriously.
The world needs to hold individuals and institutions accountable, especially when it comes to protecting our children.
Today, I fear neither the US State Department nor USA Gymnastics truly gives one iota of a care about squashing this heinous epidemic.