Intervention AND Prevention: A New EdenMade Initiative
Dear BJM Community,
At Because Justice Matters, we have different ministries that are uniquely equipped to serve different demographics of women and girls. EdenMade, a ministry of BJM, is dedicated to building pathways to brighter futures for women and girls vulnerable to sexual exploitation and impacted by the adult entertainment industry.
Over the last year, our team has been in a season of transition and discernment. As I’ve stepped into the role as the Director of EdenMade in January, I’ve spent much time re-establishing our culture, developing our team, and dreaming about what God is leading us into next.
From the start, I sensed that EdenMade was to focus on both intervention of women working in the adult entertainment industry and prevention of women and girls not yet involved. Girls, specifically in the foster care system, with life experiences making them more vulnerable to experiencing sexual exploitation:
Two-thirds of domestic sex trafficking survivors have been involved with the foster care system.
95% of sex trafficking survivors reported a history of childhood maltreatment, with 49% experiencing sexual abuse.
41% of sex trafficking survivors were removed from their parents’ care and placed outside of their homes by the child welfare system during their childhood, with 87% of those placements in foster homes.
As compiled by Social Work Today, some factors that contribute to the increased risk of trafficking and sexual exploitation for young people impacted by the foster care system include:
lack of trust, stemming from inconsistent caring adults and temporary nature of the out-of-home placement
lack of belonging and/or connection to their resource/foster parents
inadequate transition planning from adolescence to young adulthood
inadequate preparation on part of the system to build life skills
higher risk of unemployment, financial instability, and housing insecurity
lack of a physical and emotional safety net
Knowing this, we have a few exciting announcements! EdenMade will be implementing two programs we are excited to announce that EdenMade will be moving forward with two programs!
Intervention: continuing our outreach program to women working in strip clubs, relaunching in December 2021
Prevention: our new program launching in 2022 for women and girls impacted by the foster care system
Our new preventative program will be designed utilizing research, wisdom from young people affected by foster care, insight from partner organizations, prayer, and creativity.
After months of prayer and waiting for clubs to reopen, we are ready to head back to the clubs with thoughtful gifts and a presence that speaks love and respect. We are looking forward to supporting and praying with women who have had an extremely challenging season.
Prior to the March 2020 shutdowns, EdenMade had gained the trust of women and club staff. Our team provided relational support and accessibility to resources. Women shared that they felt valued and expressed gratitude for their gifts, personal notes, prayer, and presence. we are anticipating the beautiful ways that God will expand upon the momentum we’ve built with women since 2019.
We are so grateful for the ways that the Holy Spirit has led our team with inspiration, unity, and a deep hope for bright futures since I’ve begun leading EdenMade. God has brought together an incredible group of women to serve in EdenMade this season, and we are honored by His invitation to join Him in rebuilding our foundations and launching into new spaces!
We believe God will do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine in this upcoming season. God is already replacing ashes with beauty, mourning with joy, and despair with praise. We look ahead to the future with hope and peace that God is guiding us in each new step. We know this is just the beginning of the beautiful work that God is doing to impact women and girls in urban communities.
In Community,
Lauren Butts, MSW
EdenMade Director