2021 Grammy Awards Show Normalizes Systemic Issues of Sexual Exploitation
It took a lot of work to make the 2021 Grammy Awards show happen amidst myriad COVID-19 complications, but unfortunately the effort was marred by CBS’ decision to green-light sexually regressive and exploitative material in the broadcast. Beyond the troubling implications for families who were watching (a significant audience for the Grammys), the onstage presentations…
T.I., Tiny, and the Role of Power and Influence in Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
On January 26, 2021, an Atlanta-based entrepreneur, Sabrina Peterson, leveled serious allegations against rapper Clifford (T.I.) Harris when she posted shocking claims that follow a violent dispute between the two. In a string of explosive Instagram posts, Peterson claimed that Harris physically assaulted her at his home in Atlanta, GA. “…@troubleman31 you PUT A GUN…
Ravi Zacharias: When Religion and Institutional Sexual Abuse Collide
With the ugly truth about Ravi Zacharias’ long-hidden history of perpetrating sexual abuse having come to light, the world is faced with yet another example of sexual abuse being hidden and enabled in an institutional setting—a religious institution in this case. Tragically, it isn’t an isolated example as more than a few churches and religious…
Accusations Against John Weaver a Reminder of the Sexual Exploitation Faced by Boys and Men
The accusations of sexual harassment—including allegations which appear to describe the grooming of a teenage boy—leveled against John Weaver, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, represent yet another tragic reminder of a reality which has long gone underreported even as far too many people have lived it: 1) sexual abuse and exploitation are perpetrated in all…
The American Library Association and Its Longstanding Pornography Problem, Explained
When most of us think about our local library, we picture a safe place for students to research, senior citizens to read, and children to listen to stories read aloud by one of the librarians. It is a pleasant picture. But, as many individuals and families enjoy the benefits of their local libraries, the American…
On Wayfair and Viral Conspiracy Theories About Sex Trafficking
Recently the media and social media platforms have been flooded with claims that the popular furniture company, Wayfair, is participating in or complicit with child sex trafficking. Beginning as a random musing from one individual who noted a perceived discrepancy on a web page for a specific Wayfair product, theories have since taken on a…
How Hypersexualized Children’s Dance Impacts Children
“Children deserve to learn and experience the gift of dance in safe environments that do not sexualize them. Children deserve to love dance, their bodies, and themselves. Children deserve to not be victims of sexual exploitation.” This is the mission of Dance Awareness: No Child Exploited (DA:NCE). Founded in 2016 by dance educator and author…
Carmen Caliente Explains How Grooming, Sex Trafficking Led to Life in Pornography
Sexual exploitation is a web of intersectionality that spans the globe and all manifestations of sexual abuse and exploitation feed into and off of one another. Recent news of predatory grooming, sexual abuse, rape, and sex trafficking allegedly perpetrated by a wealthy individual in Florida are more evidence of this reality. Lanfranco Pescante (Franco), the…
Pornhub’s Darkly Ironic Claims About Racism and Social Injustice
As we have stated, “Addressing sexual exploitation means addressing racism and the systems that allow oppression and marginalization to continue.” In the continuing conversation about race and sexual exploitation, it would be impossible to stay silent about the largest internet pornography provider: Pornhub. In response to recent events, including protests for racial justice in all…