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 4 SUMMER 2018
PRESBYTERIAN
The scope of human trafficking is difficult to identify
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acceptance and self-worth, and, as one woman explained, “I learned to look forward to my future, to see and invision my future with hope.”
A key part of the work is to create a sense of belonging. For women and girls who haven’t had the experience of a safe environment from which to learn and grow, ARISE is a much needed haven of support. “For people in crisis, this is an extremely good program,” another woman said, “be- cause when people are down, they need help to pull themselves up.”
This work is not for the faint of heart. Deb explains that “this min- istry is filled with moments of deep despair and budding hope, moments of heartbreaking sadness and joyous celebration.”
The women that ARISE have sup- ported over the years have painful, traumatic experiences that have led to feelings of brokenness. Thankfully, ARISE steps in to help initiate a jour- ney toward healing, wholeness and freedom.
It’s time to hear the voices and stories of victims of sex trafficking if we are ever going to shed light on a world of such darkness and despair. The Presbyterian Church in Canada supports ARISE for its commitment to some of the most vulnerable members of our society. “We need to work collaboratively and under- stand what’s going on in our own community,” says Deb. “How can we empower and encourage? The church can have a major role in pre- vention and awareness raising.”
To learn more about ARISE Ministry or to make a donation to support this important work, visit ariseministry.ca.
Angel’s Story
Angel knows all too well about the struggle to rise from darkness. She grew up in poverty in a small town with her mother and brother. It wasn’t an easy childhood. Her parents were divorced and Angel acknowledges that she was in need of a positive male role model in her life.
When she was 18 years old, An- gel found herself pregnant and in an abusive relationship. She was beaten so badly that she miscarried the child—an event that would haunt her for many years. An acquaintance told Angel how much money she could make in the city and it would allow her to get away from her abusive partner. A young, idealistic woman, Angel took the bait and found herself working at a strip club. She was in- troduced to alcohol and drugs and to men that would only use her. Her first abusive relationship was traded for another and she struggled to escape from the sexual harassment and ex- ploitation that surrounded her daily.
The men in Angel’s life often, ini- tially, took the role of a hero, some- one who promised to help her find a better life with more opportunity and freedom, showering her with gifts and affection. But they would soon become controlling and vio- lent, blackmailing her to ensure she couldn’t escape. Angel’s fiesty spirit made her strong-willed and defiant, but she felt trapped, fearful for her life and of retaliation against her and her mother.
During the years Angel spent trapped as a sex worker and traf- ficked, she was in and out of hospi- tals. And despite the number of times police were called to deal with a situ- ation she was involved in, no one of authority stepped in on her behalf. It wasn’t until she was found on the side of the road, left for dead, that the police finally intervened.
With Angel’s help, one of the men
responsible for trafficking her was arrested and convicted. Angel was proud that she had been instru- mental in getting a criminal record against him, even though she was then forced to go into hiding for fear that he would come after her out of revenge. Deb Rapport and the staff at ARISE ministry played an impor- tant role in helping Angel through the court process by both educating her and providing much-needed moral support.
Angel took part in the jiu-jitsu training program offered by ARISE to build her confidence. The new self- defense skills were pivotal in prevent- ing a sexual attacker from overpow- ering her.
Working with ARISE was a turning point in Angel’s life. With the support of Deb and other staff, Angel believes she is healing, and being reborn.
Although she will always need to conceal her identity for her safety, An- gel has turned her life around. She’s an author now, having self-published a book of poetry (The Darkness & The Light, available at Amazon.ca) and is working on a new book that tells the story of her experiences. She believes that writing has become her purpose, her mission.
“I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support of ARISE,” Angel says. “Thanks to the opportunities, resources, referrals—and they con- tinue to empower me.”
Angel is now a peer support work- er with ARISE, helping other women who have been involved in the sex trade to break free from a cycle of abuse. She wants to help others wherever she can and prevent any- one else from travelling the road she went down.
“I don’t believe I would have sur- vived without the prayers I received,” Angel says, acknowledging the faith- fulness of church groups like those within The Presbyterian Church in
Canada that support ARISE and lift these women up. Angel believes it is the power of prayer and compassion
that has helped to get her where she is today. “I feel protected by a higher power.”
Connection
presbyterian.ca
  Empty Shell
A poem by Angel Power
They took my eyes
When they changed the way I see. They took my voice
When they refused to hear me.
They took my innocence
When I was exploited, corrupted, and violated. They took my passion
When they made me feel weak and jaded.
They took my freedom
When they made me fear the world. They robbed me of my womanhood When I was just a girl.
I am now an empty shell.
My life has become a living hell.
I was damaged so badly I don’t know if I’ll ever be well.
I was once full of life and had so much to give
But I was robbed of all I had and now I’m utterly discouraged.
They robbed me of my spirit
When they drained me of all my energy. They diminshed all trust I had
When friends and family turned on me.
They stripped me of my trust in my intuitive soul When they made me doubt myself.
They made me look like a fool
When I put my trust in someone else.
They took my identity
When they made me dislike the real me. They took my mind
When they changed how I think.
The real me is now suppressed.
Soon there will be no sign of my true self left.
I’ve become someone else to adapt and survive
But someday when it’s safe, my soul will be revived. Until that day, I continue to hide.
  Responding to God’s Call
 A reflection by the Rev. Deb Rapport
My first involvement working with individuals who had experienced sexual exploitation came through a summer ministry internship at a drop-in centre for street-involved youth in Toronto. On one of my first days, I was introduced to a young woman who was the same age as me and who was first exploited as a young child. I reflected on the vast differences in our childhood experiences and needed God to do some- thing with the shattered pieces of my broken heart in the way that only God can.
That was the beginning of my call to ministry with survivors of sexual exploitation, through the relation- ships made with youth at the drop-in centre, conver- sations with colleagues, and a ministry position there following completion of my M.Div, the vision for a
specialized ministry to empower survivors of sexual exploitation began to unfold. A restructuring at the drop-in centre gave me pause to reflect and realize that though my ministry position ended God’s Call to this ministry was still present. Recognizing the need to be faithful to God’s call, I engaged in conversations with colleagues and friends within The Presbyterian Church in Canada and together the vision for ARISE as a Presbyterian mission with the intent of helping individuals involved in the sex trade reclaim hope in their lives arose.
As ARISE looks toward our fifth anniversary this fall, and I reflect on all the amazing things that have happened in and through our ministry, I am so grate- ful for the encouragement, empowerment and hope- filled vision of the colleagues and friends who’ve helped nurture ARISE into being.
The Rev. Deb Rapport, executive director of ARISE Ministry





































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