CW Moves 'Supernatural,' 'Top Model'
Whitney Houston's Alleged Dealer Threatening Legal Action
"Most of them are runaways, they come from severely broken homes and these pimps come in and they offer to provide for them and so these girls are expected to return the favor," says Ling. "They don't bring a penny home -- ALL of it goes to the pimp."
The crux of the issue is that in many other countries, there are laws to protect children who are victims of exploitation, abuse and force. In the United States, young girls who are prostitutes are often seen as juvenile delinquents and prosecuted as criminals, chewed up in a vicious cycle of abuse, neglect and manipulation.
"The biggest problem for me is that when these girls are arrested -- and in this country the girls are the ones most frequently arrested -- there are no facilities for these girls to get any kind of rehabilitation, or help for the pyschological and physical abuse they're suffered."
"Just think about these little girls, who've never had anyone to take care of them, never been told their loved," says Ling. "It's so easy to see how that cycle begins."
Prostitution
BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE - MARCH 22: Young women dance as a DJ plays at the "Kentucky Fried Chicken" bar March 22, 2008 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Many night spots have closed down throughout the country as few people have extra funds for night life. Aid workers say, however, that prostitution is on the rise due to desperation from the nation's economic collapse. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
Getty Images
People protest for prostitutes' rights on March 22, 2008 in Paris. Under the theme of "neither criminalization, nor penalization", the protesters demanded the scrapping of proposals to penalize the clients of prostitutes, and called for the formation of a Europe-wide movement. Sign reads "Proud to be Whores". AFP PHOTO PIERRE VERDY (Photo credit should read PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
People protest for prostitutes' rights on March 22, 2008 in Paris. Under the theme of "neither criminalization, nor penalization", the protesters demanded the scrapping of proposals to penalize the clients of prostitutes, and called for the formation of a Europe-wide movement. AFP PHOTO PIERRE VERDY (Photo credit should read PIERRE VERDY/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
** FILE ** New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer makes a statement to reporters during a news conference, in this March 10, 2008 file photo, in New York where he apologized to his family and the public after a report that he was involved in a prostitution ring. Accusations of sex and politics have taken down congressmen and senators, and nearly brought down President Clinton in 1998. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)
AP
** FILE**Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland speaks during the Associated Press Legislative and Elections Preview Seminar in Columbus, Ohio in this Feb. 7, 2008 file photo. The Ohio governor is giving a food bank $10,000 in campaign cash from disgraced former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Strickland announced Wednesday, March 19, 2008. Spitzer resigned last week in a prostitution scandal. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
AP
** FILE ** Journalist Diane Sawyer arrives at the 2007 Glamour Magazine "Women of the Year" awards at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, in this Nov. 5, 2007, file photo in New York. Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's call girl scandal prompted ABC News to give the go-ahead to a two-hour prime-time special on prostitution that includes Diane Sawyer's visit to a legal brothel in Nevada. The "20/20" special, which airs 9 p.m. EDT Friday, has been in the works for two years. It was expected to be on sometime in May or June, but ABC moved it up because Spitzer's resignation last week put the topic in the headlines, said David Sloan, executive producer of ABC's newsmagazines. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, file)
AP
(FILES) In this file picture taken on October 23, 2000 a sex worker waits outside vice houses in the Sham Shui Po district of Hong Kong. Police early March 18, 2008 arrested a Pakistani man in connection with the deaths of four Hong Kong sex workers, local radio reported. Four sex workers have been found murdered in the southern Chinese city since March 15, 2008 prompting fears that a serial killer is targeting prostitutes. AFP PHOTO/HK IMAIL/ HONG KONG OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read WARTON LI/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
ALBANY, NY - MARCH 17: New York Lieutenant Governor David Paterson (L) poses for photographs with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) March 17, 2008 in Albany, New York. Paterson will be sworn in today as Governor replacing Elliot Spitzer after Spitzer resigned following a prostitution scandal. (Photo by Daniel Barry/Getty Images)
Getty Images
ATTN EDITORS:.All images from Event: 80218256..all references to New York Governor David Paterson should be spelled with one t, NOT two...Captions should read:..ALBANY, NY - MARCH 17: New York Lieutenant Governor David Paterson (L) poses for photographs with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) March 17, 2008 in Albany, New York. Paterson will be sworn in today as Governor replacing Elliot Spitzer after Spitzer resigned following a prostitution scandal. (Photo by Daniel Barry/Getty Images)..we apologize for any inconvenience.
Getty Images
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (L) and New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine (R) are seen at the swearing-in of David A. Paterson as New York State's 55th Governor on March 17, 2008 at the State Capitol in Albany, New York. Eliot Spitzer resigned as governor last week after being found to be a client of a high-priced prostitution ring, as Paterson becomes the first black New York governor and first legally blind. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
In "Sex Workers" Ling also explores the efforts of innovative individuals and programs which assist young girls in prostitution such as a Dallas police officer who was moved to do something after arresting with teen prostitutes for years; a former prostitute and founder who founded the GEMS program in New York; and Las Vegas Juvenile Court judge William Voy, who plans to open a center to treat sexually exploited girls.
"I think that America needs to start thinking of all kids as their kids. It's not enough to say, well, I can protect my own kid because at the end of the day these are all of our kids. And what happens to our kids will eventually affect the fabric of our society," says Ling.
To learn more about juvenile prostitution and re-air dates, log onto: www.oxygen.com/icare
Comments: (22)
Add a comment
By: Cecil Jones on 3/29/2008 6:22AM
Let me break this topic down real quick so that the media can't complain about not knowing the answer. Look at this society and what's the problem? It's built on exploitation. We expliot beauty, intelligence, weakness, loopholes in the law, kids, the elderly, and it's all for what? It's all about making that money. Are you going to exploit a woman that's been around the block or one that doesn't know what's up until it's too late? Once she's hooked, she can be exploited in so many ways. The game is driven by society looking the other way. Nobody ever said, "Life is fair." If the education system were designed to be fair, then ugly girls and beautiful girls would have an equal opportunity. Beautiful girls get all the break. Some try to take advantage too soon. Who's fault is it? Blame the net, the media, schools, the parents, the guys gone wild, girls gone wild or what we consider "Normal?" Chew on that one? Can you change the game?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Tina on 3/29/2008 8:07AM
what do all these politicians have to do with young girls being exploited. if these officials are using prostitutes, get them out of office you should be showing the real victims,the teen girls who are being used and abused. get them some help so that maybe they won't be stuck in the prison system. they can be saved if proper help is given.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Briii on 3/29/2008 9:27AM
ummm wow this is pure stupidity we take all this time to think about girls who are idiotic enough to be brought into this crap but not smart enought to get themselfs out. i was in some bad stuff like this and im only 16 my b.f pimped me out and stoped referin to me as brittany he called me his hoe and not just kiding around with me eventually i got sick of it and ended it i got the crap kicked out of me and so did my new b.f but i had to get over it i wasnt gonna be like a dog. these girls can do it to truth be told THEY LOVE the negative attention they say PITTY us were WHORES that cant get out of a mess we walked easily into.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ben on 3/29/2008 10:03AM
ITS SO SAD THESE PIMPS SHOULD BE LOCKED AWAY JUST AS A RAPIST .THE LAWS SHOULD CHANGE .THE LESSON HERE TEENS STAY YOUR BUTT AT HOME WHERE AT LEAST YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO BE SOMEBODY .BUT ON THOSE FILTY STEETS YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT FINDING LOVE OUT THERE ONLY 3 LEGGED ANIMALS WILL EXPLOIT THE HELL OUT OF YOUR EMOTIONS.AND RUIN YOU FOR LIFE. LOVE YOURSELF FIRST.AND LISTEN TO YOUR PEERS,EVEN IF FAMILY GIVE YOU GRIEF GET COUNSELING.CALL THOSE HOTLINES GET A YELLOWPAGES AND HELP YOURSELVES.CALL EVEN 911 DO WHATEVER WILL HELP YOU.ALWAYS DO YOU FIRST. peace
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: K on 3/29/2008 10:49AM
I just had to comment on Briii said: You were one of the lucky ones. Not everybody has the willpower or the mentality to get out this terrible situation. These poor girls are being exploited and end up growing up in this system. After a while that's all they know and it's human nature to stick with what you know. Sure, there might be some programs out there to help, but these girls and women don't know how to go about finding them. This situation is like battered women, they get beat, the man apologizes and swears to never do it again and showers them with love; they believe him cuz they really want the love and attention he shows when there is no abuse. Everybody but her knows that he is just lying cuz the next beating is sure to come. It's a vicious cycle and more organizations need to come to the rescue of these girls and women. May God Help Them.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Rdspight69 on 3/29/2008 12:17PM
The problem of teenage prostitution is the endless cycle of victims. The pimp who faces punishment for pushing the girls, the girls who face physical and drug abuse, the john who risks his marriage, employment, and all risk stds. The adult portion of the game could learn from the country of Holland. However the legal brothels in Neveda should donate at least 10% of their profits to establish programs besides Children of the Night to get these girls off the streets and to be tutored by women who were once prostitutes themselves who got out of the game and show these girls that they are human beings not just pieces of meat. Get them in Rehab , skills in Motherhood , finish their education, and help them in the job market. Is it worth it? Ask yourselve this question. How would you feel if you saw your daughter, niece, sister, or granddaughter standing on a street corner waiting for a john
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Don Juan on 3/29/2008 1:44PM
Legalize prostitution - let these girls make there OWN money and pay taxes! that way you'll elimate the pimps and all girls can get rich while the MEN run this country and have sex with all you sluts and pay them!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ...::::LadyDee::::... on 4/04/2008 2:27PM
Okay this one is for Brii...
You sound very hypocritical to me. You said that you were in the same situation but made it out and the ones who are left behind are pitiful attention seeking whores...Well then wouldn't that make you a FORMER pitiful attention seeking whore???...So are you really any better or smarter than those who weren't as LUCKY as yourself even though you made the same choices...
I personally think that society should show more compassion towards these young girls who are AT RISK for being in these situations BEFORE they are actually involved in these situations. Most of these teens come from broken homes where they are being used and abused and aren't being teached the morals and values that we should be teaching our young ladies to become PRODUCTIVE members of society. Although lucky that I haven't fallen victim to being pimped, I have been a first hand witness to some young ladies my age who have. Most of the younger "working girls" I've seen are runaways who were basically looking for a way out of the streets. With the economy the way it is, most jobs are downsizing and generally not really interested in hiring delinquent minors anyways so it's not even fair to mention filling out an app at Mickey D's. Usually, they've had no family support and at a very young age, had to depend on no one but themselves so when somebody came along like I'll keep your hair and nails done, give you somewhere to stay, put a few dollars in your pocket, and some food on the table as long as you sell a little ass for me, they're not thinking about what it'll cost in the long run. Hey, it's more than anyone (including themselves) can and has been doing for them anyways. Most go into the the prostitution business think more of the pros and ignoring (or not knowing) the cons...Most also appreciate the attention because they'd not been shown that love and support at home so search for it elsewhere.
I think that instead of being so quick to penalize every criminal behavior, more should be done to avert them or for those already "caught up" rehabilitate these ladies. Most street walkers feel they have no other outlets or sources of income so maybe more should be done to provide service for them so they don't have to go that route. You cannot solve the problem until you admit it's existence and the prostititution, although the result of the problem, is definitely not the problem at hand.
Deloris--17
Columbus, OH
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: PIMP!!!?? on 3/29/2008 5:40PM
Who's fault is it??? We say the pimps we say the girls. Well to be real with you with out one the other could not be. Its just like being Married you get married thinking you are in love but your not!! If you could not have sex how long would your marriage last?? People run away from problems, but they bump right back in to the same thing. The problem is in you!! You want to feel a void in your life with the wrong thing.BE4 YOU CAN BE HAPPY WITH ANYONE EVEN FAMILY YOU MUST BE HAPPY& HAVE PEACE WITH IN YOURSELF. AN THE ONLY WAY TO THAT IS JESUS SEEK HIM FRIST AND EVERYTHING ELSE WILL BE ADD UNTO YOU
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: shortay on 3/29/2008 7:00PM
Why are the standards always different? Depending on who is in the situation; it is either a problem or a crime. For once, it would be nice to see eveyone treated the same. There are thousands of children being abused, violated, and preyed on, but more than half of them are refered to as scum, or perceived as worthless. Society has failed our children and it starts with how we respect all children and each other. By the way, what ever happened to that 5 year old girl, in Florida, that was hand cuffed and placed in a cop car because she had a tandrum and didn't like the idea of being ganged up on?
Reply to this Comment | Report This