Editor ’ s
Moore with Elizabeth Good and members of the West Virginia Faith & Freedom Coalition .
Every child deserves a safe childhood . This is the tagline for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children . Growing up in the ‘ 90s , I didn ’ t think about being unsafe . School was always welcoming , and the threat of intruders never crossed my mind . The possibility of danger lurking on something called the internet also wasn ’ t a concern for me . I felt safe every day with my family . On school nights , I rode my bike down our gravel road with my cousins and sisters , played in the creek near my Mamaw ’ s house or played school with my imaginary students at home . This is what childhood should look like — innocent , carefree , safe . Fortunately , that was the case for me , but , unfortunately , it ’ s not the case for all children .
For this issue , I wrote about the terrible crimes that are human trafficking and child exploitation . My awareness of this reality grew in July when I watched “ Sound of Freedom ” in the theater with my coworkers . My background as a news reporter didn ’ t mask me from knowing the dangers of human trafficking that exist , but something about the
raw way this particular story was told left me shaken , not to a place of fear , but a place of justice . I wish I could safeguard innocent and vulnerable lives from abuse and trafficking , but the truth is my abilities are limited . I hope the information we share in this issue will bring some of the darkness to light and help readers understand that we need to put down our phones and protect our children .
Trafficking is an ongoing fight by law enforcement agencies , task forces and nonprofits in our state and world , and we need to be aware of it . I am encouraged by the West Virginia Faith & Freedom Coalition for using its platform to raise awareness and educate community and church leaders , as well as law enforcement officers , on the topic . The organization held its inaugural Protecting Our Children summit in October and put faith into action .
“ We are confident that this summit will be one of many in the future to continue the good work until human trafficking is eliminated completely ,” says Curtis Workman , executive director of the West Virginia Faith & Freedom Coalition .
We must protect the vulnerable ones who don ’ t know the danger exists or that a wrong isn ’ t right . As Jim Caviezel portrays Agent Tim Ballard in “ Sound of Freedom ,” he says , “ God ’ s children are not for sale .” And all God ’ s people said , “ Amen .” •
Anna Moore Associate Editor
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE