Building Awareness of Child Sex Trafficking: How We Can All Make a Difference

Content Warning: This episode contains frank discussions about child sex trafficking. We encourage you to care for your well-being as you listen to and share this episode about the all-too-real danger of human trafficking. 

Dr. Laura welcomes a return guest alongside a new expert in this challenging and vitally important episode on child sex trafficking. Alan Smyth, Executive Director of Saving Innocence (based in LA) and co-author of “MEN! Fight For Me”, returns to the show along with new guest Conroy Kanter, President of KK Ranch Productions and Producer of the movie Trafficked. Their conversation lifts the veil of secrecy on the issue of child sex trafficking, revealing how close to home it is and the current efforts to raise awareness of the tragic reality of this heinous crime.

Alan Smyth reveals that his celebrated book, “MEN! Fight For Me”, written with the collaborative efforts of trafficking survivors, is now in audiobook form for even wider distribution. Conroy Kanter shares how her 2017 film, Trafficked, starring Ashley Judd and Patrick Duffy, is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime. Alan and Conroy readily share their knowledge with Dr. Laura. Awareness of the grim reality of child sex trafficking is necessary in order to combat the continuing spread of the criminal practice. To that end, everyone who hears this conversation is offered an opportunity to acknowledge the present danger of the issue and act by sharing these resources and protecting children with foreknowledge.    

“There's a trafficker, and then there's a trafficked victim, to coin your movie title. And all of that is exploitation. There's certainly exploitation that isn't yet trafficking, but when that third-party trafficker, controller, is forcing someone to be somewhere and receiving money for some sort of sexual, you know, exploitation or effort, then it becomes trafficking. And it's usually, according to the definition, through force, physical force, oftentimes violent force, sometimes lethal force, fraud or coercion.” Alan Smyth

“And [trafficking] is not something that you just want to say, oh, that happens in another country far far away. It happens right here!” Conroy Kanter

About Alan Smyth:

Alan Smyth is married and a father of two children and one grandchild. He is the Executive Director for Saving Innocence, an anti-human trafficking agency based in Los Angeles California.

Alan has responsibility for Direct Services and Business Operations.

Alan recently collaborated on a book with numerous survivors of Human Trafficking entitled MEN! Fight For Me. It’s a book for everyone but with a special emphasis on the male audience. You can learn more about this book at www.fightforme.net

Website: SavingInnocence.org

Book: “MEN! Fight For Me” by Alan Smyth and Jessica Midkiff

Audiobook: “MEN! Fight For Me Audiobook” by Alan Smyth and Jessica Midkiff

About Conroy Kanter:

Conroy Kanter, President and Founder of KK Ranch Productions, Inc. nestled in the sunny heart of Malibu, CA, is a dynamic force in the world of film and activism. An accomplished producer, actress, speaker, and advocate, Conroy’s dedication to storytelling with purpose shines through her work. Currently steering the post-production journey of the highly anticipated Romantic Comedy, “Days When The Rains Came,” Conroy’s creative vision weaves tales of life, loss, and the enduring search for love. Her past endeavors include thought-provoking independent dramas like “Trafficked,” which premiered at the United Nations, igniting crucial conversations about human trafficking. Another gem in her portfolio, “A Million Loves In Me,” stands tall as Malaysia’s most celebrated film, garnering accolades worldwide.

Beyond the silver screen, Conroy is revered as a captivating speaker, harnessing her platform to advocate for social justice causes and empower audiences globally. Her unwavering commitment to combating human trafficking has earned her prestigious awards and widespread recognition. Driven by the transformative power of film, Conroy channels her passion into every project, striving to provoke thought, evoke emotion, and inspire positive change. With each endeavor, she reaffirms her belief in the inherent ability of storytelling to reshape perceptions and illuminate paths toward a better world.

Website: KK Ranch Productions
Movie: Trafficked

Resources:

Episode 25 | Calling All Men to Action: Let’s End Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking! – Part 1

Episode 26 | Calling All Men to Action: Let’s End Sexual Exploitation & Trafficking! – Part 2

Watch Trafficked on Amazon Prime

Find “MEN! Fight For Me” on Amazon

Canada: Human Trafficking Hotline / phone: 1-833-900-1010

America: National Human Trafficking Hotline / phone: 1-888-373-7888

European Commission: National Hotlines

Learn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.live

For more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: 

Canada Career Counselling

Synthesis Psychology