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After serving with World Missions (AGWM) in Northern Asia for almost 13 years and 2 years with Fire Bible International in India, we have answered God’s call to missionary service with US Missions (AGUSM) in the field of Childhood Sexual Abuse, including Domestic Child Sex Trafficking.
We have founded an organization named UNBOUND which focuses upon bringing freedom, hope, and wholeness to people's lives. There is nothing that destroys the heart more than sexual exploitation. We wholeheartedly believe that Jesus is the only hope for healing from sexual abuse. (Psalm 130:5-7)
The United States is the world's leading nation in commercialized sex with children; with the average age of the victims being 12-14 years old. It was a rude awakening to discover that child sex trafficking is not only an overseas problem, like we witnessed in China, Thailand, and India, but in America as well. The US Department of Justice estimates that 200,000 American children are trafficked into the sex industry every year.
We recently formed a collaborative relationship with FREE International that encompasses not only education and awareness, but also coordinates volunteer groups and organizations in Search Events for missing children, direct outreach on the streets, help with immediate needs (transportation needs, vouchers for emergency stays at a hotel, food, clothing, and personal items) and training/working within the Hospitality industry to help and identify victims.
Domestic Child Sex Trafficking is 95% preventable through education and awareness. Our training offered through FREE International includes connecting with schools, church groups (small, men, women, youth, recovery), civic organizations, law enforcement, health care and social agencies. We stress the importance of becoming part of the solution vs just seeing the huge need facing society.
Childhood Sexual Abuse of victims who are not trafficked is as atrocious as the child sex trafficking abuse victims. America has a population of 331 million. 42 million Americans (12.7%) are survivors of sexual abuse. Of our children ages 12-17 years old, 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys will be sexually abused before they reach 18 years old. Sharon and I are two of the kids who were sexually abused as children. Sadly, more than 90% of child sexual abuse is committed by someone the victim knows, loves, or trusts. (Colossians 3:12)
Frequently, child sexual abuse is not spoken of in the church. It is a taboo subject. We need to be the church that cares well for the sexually traumatized and guides them into wholeness. The average age an adult who was traumatized as a childhood sexual abuse victim does not seek emotional help until they are 52 years old. That is a lot of anguish to carry for a lot of years. (James 1:27)in their lives
There is a path to Freedom and Wholeness for the sexually traumatized --- bringing the hope of Jesus into broken, shattered lives. Let’s make a tangible, tangible difference!
Love and Blessings,
Craig and Sharon
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