Choose Change Campaign: Protecting Kids From Exploitation

It has happened to all of us at one time or another. We’re lured into a false sense of security. We think we’re in a safe space. And then we (or our children!) are assaulted by an inappropriate image or message. Learn how the Choose Change campaign can give us ways to fight back!

Pornography and sexual exploitation are a huge plague in our society. But have you ever thought about the big bucks behind them? Did you ever consider that you can reach some of the organizations that are fueling the problem and actually make a difference?

What if it was as easy as the click of a button? Would you take time to help?

This is Glendyne Gerrard’s mission. To educate members of the community. To defend children and families. And to make it easy to get involved in causes that will make a difference. As director of Defend Dignity, the organization behind the annual Choose Change campaign, she is doing just that. 

We don’t know what we don’t know

Glendyne’s lightbulb moment came ten years ago during an unforgettable interaction with a survivor of prostitution named Trish. Trish spoke to a small group of women at The Christian & Missionary Alliance who had been challenged to carefully consider a justice issue in Canada impacting women. As Trish told her story, Glendyne was stunned by what was happening in her own country. And perhaps more shocked that this was the first time she had learned of it. 

Are we aware? Do we really know how sexual exploitation and pornography are affecting our world—possibly even the people we love? 

Related: Ep. #2-3, Human Trafficking: Closer Than You Think with Linda Harlos, Parenting With a Purpose

During that meeting, Trish challenged Glendyne and the other members of the alliance to make a difference. “You have a level of influence,” she told them. “So why don’t you use your influence?” This is how Defend Dignity began.

Connected forms of exploitation

Part of Defend Dignity’s mission is to uncover the connection between all forms of sexual exploitation. This purpose is clearly outlined on their website: 

Defend Dignity acts as a catalyst for individuals and churches to end sexual exploitation in Canada. Commercial sexual exploitation includes: pornography, strip clubs, escorts, massage parlors and prostitution. All involve the selling of sexual services which undermine the dignity of women, men and children and are detrimental to a healthy society.

During our interview, Glendyne also spent time educating us about prostitution laws. Defend Dignity supports legislation which criminalizes the purchase of sex and pimping but decriminalizes prostituted individuals. This is often referred to as the Nordic Model. Glendyne also mentioned how many of the same harmful themes exist in porn and prostitution, reinforcing male power, abuse, and violence. She reminded us of our responsibility to help protect vulnerable women from these atrocities.

Related: Ep. #2-13, Take Action: Pornhub = Traffickinghub with Laila Mickelwait, Exodus Cry

Choose Change campaign

We know it’s hard to look these issues in the face. Prostitution. Pornography. Trafficking. These are not fun topics. Worse, we often feel overwhelmed—powerless to stop them from happening. Generally, we’re just scrambling to protect our families while these horrors continue to steamroll society. Right?

But … guess what?! Defend Dignity to the rescue! Every year they launch a new Choose Change campaign. Their aim is to reduce access to violent, sexually explicit images. Defend Dignity is especially concerned with children’s exposure to media that normalizes and perpetuates sexual violence against women. And they need your help! 

The Choose Change website provides opportunities for members of the community to participate with the click of a button and make our voices heard. This year the companies in the Choose Change campaign are:

• Instagram
• Snapchat
• TikTok
• Zoom
• Visa
• MasterCard

You can also watch the short video below to see what Choose Change is all about.

When possible, Defend Dignity also meets face-to-face with each organization. Each signature makes that more likely. 

Related: Ep. #2-5, The Dirty Dozen Parent Alert: Taking Action Against Exploitation with Jake Robertson, NCOSE 

More than one way to help

Since we’re all sheltering in place for COVID-19 this year, Defend Dignity has launched Choose Change 2020: Home Edition, which allows us to participate no matter where we’re holed up during quarantine. (*Note: U.S. residents may also participate. See instructions below under Episode Challenge.) 

Another important way you can participate is to send in your stories. Have you or your child ever had an experience with one of the companies on the list (think Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Zoom) that involved exposure to pornography, predators, cyberbullying, or other dangers? Don’t just get angry! Use it to make a difference. Click on the related links and share your stories with Choose Change so they can tell the companies about it.

Tune in to the podcast or visit the Choose Change website to learn more details about the campaign.

Why is Instagram in the Choose Change campaign?

Maybe you’re looking at this list of companies and thinking … Yeah, I understand Snapchat and TikTok. Those get terrible press related to child endangerment all the time. But why is Instagram on the list?  Tune in to the podcast and we’ll tell you all about it! Here are the highlights:

• Instagram is a gold mine for child predators. Glendyne explains that social apps contribute to more than 50% of child grooming and luring by predators. Instagram has a huge problem and they’re not addressing it.
• Instagram’s direct messaging circumvents filters and parental controls. Children and young teens are routinely approached by complete strangers to share and send nude images. Even the highest privacy settings can’t protect children. 
• Reporting problems with bullying and sexual content doesn’t work. Defend Dignity has received countless stories from parents who had problems with strangers or bullies, who then reported to Instagram and never heard back. 

Glendyne shares several accounts from individuals frustrated with Instagram’s cavalier attitude toward kids’ safety. For example, one dad shared how his 12-year-old daughter had recently opened a joint Instagram account with her friends so that they could share photos. Within two days she began getting messages from a predator. Fortunately, the account had been set up with her parents having the passwords and full access. They caught it early. Other kids aren’t so lucky. 

Click here to send Instagram a request to specifically address these three problems through the Choose Change campaign.

Episode challenge

Are you feeling motivated? Now it’s your turn!  

• First, visit choosechangecanada.org and get involved! It will take you no more than 5 minutes (probably less) to put your name and contact info into the fields provided, and then emails will go directly to the executives of the companies on the list. How easy is that?! 
• Next, share about the Choose Change campaign on social media. We are more powerful together, so let’s spread the word.

*For U.S. residents: When you are signing the petition/s, simply type in your address, such as 3422 Georgia Ave. NW, and then ignore all the Canadian address suggestions, and skip right to the postal code field and enter your zip instead.

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More about today’s guest

Links/Resources

Choose Change

Defend Dignity

Canadian Sexual Exploitation Summit

Exposing Exploitation – youth curriculum from Defend Dignity