The Most Important Thing

One of the things we like to focus on at HGBM is healing. Healing from trauma, healing from disease, healing from injury --whether physical, emotional, or other. And one of the most difficult things to heal from is sexual abuse. We have many wonderful stories of triumph over the ravages of sexual abuse, molestation, rape, incest, etc. Our authors bravely tell their stories in hopes of reaching others who have been or are going through similar pain. But it is a difficult topic to approach and in many cases, people don't want to talk about it. No matter what the scenario, the end result is devastating damage that can take years to overcome. And in some cases, may never be fully resolved. Perhaps this is why so many people who have had success in healing from this trauma have taken to their platforms and used their experiences to help others find some comfort and peace.

Over the Independence Day holiday, I went to the movies with my family to see the film, Sound of Freedom. As a survivor of rape, I've dealt with much trauma in my life and I know how difficult it is to heal from even one instance of abuse. I cannot imagine how the children who were portrayed in this film could ever recover from the level of abuse that they go through at the hands of these child traffickers. I found myself getting angrier and angrier as I watched the main character (based on real-life agent, Tim Ballard), search for these children who had been taken from their father and thrust into a world of ugliness and sexual abuse. By the time I left the theater, I was overcome with anger and disgust at what evil is doing to our world. I want to help, but I'm just not sure how I can from where I sit in this world. It occurred to me that this platform, Higher Ground Books & Media, may be something that I can use to help combat child trafficking. I have always wanted it to be a place where people can tell their stories of healing and faith. And I can think of no better way to raise awareness than to help survivors of trafficking and abuse tell their stories.

First, I would encourage you to go and see this movie, Sound of Freedom. In many places, you can get a free ticket while it is playing. You just need to go to the Angel Films website and sign up for a ticket. Please don't be afraid to go and see this film. It is very much needed, and the message is brought as tastefully as it can possibly be brought. They did a wonderful job in getting the message across, but it is our job as viewers, to take the message and share it with others if the message is to serve its intended purpose.

Second, if you are a survivor, or you know of someone who has a story of survival that they need to tell, please have them contact us at highergroundbooksandmedia@gmail.com. We would love to offer our assistance in getting their story written and published.

Third, please check out our collection of stories by the courageous authors at HGBM. We have so many great stories of healing that you can read and share with your small groups or use for Bible studies and book clubs. For every purchase made using the code HGBM-ANGEL, you'll get free shipping and we'll donate $1 from each of these sales to help get the word out about human trafficking. We'll be sharing information about organizations that are working toward these initiatives in our next post.

There is much discussion needed to really start to eradicate the evil of human trafficking and sexual abuse. We must not shy away from those discussions. They are what will bring the healing that is so desperately needed. Please join HGBM in supporting the efforts of those who are working diligently to get the word out and to help change the laws related to sexual abuse, sexual predators, child traffickers, and others who perpetrate the worst evil on our society. We must stand up and begin to speak out vigorously against any and all sexual abuse, be it toward children or adults. The after-effects have a lifelong impact on our ability to function in society and within our own family units. People who have been the victims of abuse may never let you know that they have endured these things, but if they do reach out to you and attempt to tell you what has happened or to ask you for help in getting out of a situation where they are being harmed, please take the time to listen and if you can't help directly, help them contact someone who can. These are just a few organizations that have great resources available for victims of abuse:

• National Sexual Assault Hotline: National hotline, operated by RAINN, that serves people affected by sexual violence. It automatically routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search your local center here. Hotline: 800.656.HOPE

• National Sexual Violence Resource Center: This site offers a wide variety of information relating to sexual violence including a large legal resource library.

• National Organization for Victim Assistance: Founded in 1975, NOVA is the oldest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States as the recognized leader in this noble cause.

• National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women: VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence hosts a resource library home of thousands of materials on violence against women and related issues, with particular attention to its intersections with various forms of oppression.

Information taken from: National Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors and their Loved Ones | RAINN

Thank you in advance for your help! We appreciate all of the support you give HGBM! God bless you.