Blackbox Int.
I serve on the Board of Trustees of Blackbox International. I'm blessed to be surrounded by a caring and skilled team of Trustees and volunteers. Here is who we are:
Mission

Blackbox International is a faith based, not-for-profit organization that exists to holistically rehabilitate sex-trafficked boys ages 16 and under. Blackbox exists to provide the aftercare component for boys rescued from sex trafficking. Initially we are looking at the specific issue of boys that are involved with sex tourism. Blackbox seeks to help these boys find healing from their past, joy in their present, and purpose for their future. They need help emotionally, physically, academically and spiritually. They need to learn what it means to be a Godly man. They need nothing less than Jesus, and the hope, joy and peace that comes from him. We believe that they will not only be restored from the hurt and confusion that has been inflicted on them, but we believe that they will one day be men who will change the world.
Rationale
There is a growing awareness of the horrendous practice of trafficking people for sex. What is even more troubling is the number of children that are caught up in this vile practice. Current research suggests that over 1.2 million children are trafficked each year for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Conservative estimates say that of that number, there are over 400,000 under-age boys world-wide who are victims of sex trafficking. They are being abused and raped, and in some cases, multiple times every day, because of the greed of “owners,” and the lust of “clients.” They need rescued, and they need to be healed.
The US State Department Trafficking In Persons Report 2010 explains,
“Sex trafficking comprises a smaller but still significant portion of overall human trafficking. When an adult is coerced, forced, or deceived into prostitution – or maintained in prostitution through coercion – that person is a victim of trafficking…. Sex trafficking can also occur within debt bondage, as women and girls are forced to continue in prostitution through the use of unlawful “debt” purportedly incurred through their transportation, recruitment, or even their crude “sale” – which exploiters insist they must pay aoff before they can be free… Sex trafficking has devastating consequences for minors, including long-lasting physical and psychological trauma, disease (including HIV/ AIDS), drug addiction, unwanted pregnancy, malnutrition, social ostracism, and possible death.”
Unfortunately, there is very little help or hope for victimized boys, currently, and there are no duplicable models of strategic aftercare. Blackbox was created to help establish a model of care for these boys that provides hope. There is an honest belief that restoration is not only possible but MUST be an option for boys that have been violated by the practice of sex trafficking.
Initial Strategy
After much prayer and research, the board of Blackbox narrowed the initial target field to Central America and the Caribbean. Blackbox board members are currently traveling to each country for the purpose of: 1) assessing the sex trafficking situation of boys, 2) discovering what work is currently being done with this group, 3) beginning to network with Christians (foreigners or nationals) in each target country who are actively working in the fields of rescuing and rehabilitating sex-trafficked victims, 4) praying over the specific areas where this darkness is occurring, and 5) asking God to show them where the first rehabilitation site needs to be. Once a country is established as the target region/location, we will engage in more in-depth survey work to determine the best model to proceed with for the care of these boys.
Objectives

Blackbox will seek to bring healing to these boys through:
- Developing a model community that can be reproduced globally. This will consist of:
· Safe and secure housing
· Godly, wise, trained and nurturing adults, with multiple levels of accountability and safeguarding. We are seeking nationals to fill the caregiver roles in country.
· The way of Jesus being taught from the Bible, and modeled all around them, including an emphasis on healthy relationships
· A fully developed, professional therapeutic/counseling curriculum, written specifically for sex-trafficked boys
· Academic, life, and job skills training
· Sports and recreation
· Medical care
2. Raising awareness. Being a voice for the victims.
3. Developing strategic and mutually beneficial partnerships (including making our model and curriculum available to like-minded organizations, and developing action plans for churches who want to support BB)
4. Asking others to partner with us through prayer and financial support, and helping achieve our objectives
