Renting Lacy: A Story Of America's Prostituted Children (A Call to Action) - Softcover

Linda Smith is a leader in the global movement to end sex trafficking of women and children around the world. In 1998, while still a member of the U.S. Congress, Linda traveled to Falkland Road in Mumbai, India a notorious brothel district. The hopeless faces of women and children forced into prostitution compelled Linda to found Shared Hope International (SHI). SHI supports care, shelter, education, and vocational training at Homes and Villages of Hope. SHI provides leadership in education and training, prevention strategies, research, and policy initiatives. Linda is the primary author of From Congress to the Brothel and Renting Lacy and co-author of The National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: Americas Prostituted Children and the DEMAND. Report. As a foremost expert on the issue, Linda has testified before Congress, presented at national and international forums, participated in more than 300 media interviews, and has been published in news outlets and journals around the world. Linda served as a Washington State legislator (1983-93), before she was elected to the U.S. Congress in 1994. Her compassionate and uncompromising belief that every individual has dignity has carried her from advocating for permanent safe homes for children in the State Senate, to the halls of Congress, and ultimately to searching out victims in red light districts around the world.

Renting Lacy has served as a catalyst to many thoughtful conversations. It has proven to be an indispensable resource teens can relate to. Kids know what we don t, they see what we can t, and Renting Lacy gives them the ability to recognize the language, understand the vulnerabilities, and help protect themselves and others. --Leslee Ferguson, Mgr, Crisis Residential Center, Washington

I am a survivor of human trafficking, prostitution, alcohol, drug addiction, rape, incest, and homelessness, and I thought the book was very honest and real. I really appreciate the truth being told, and the heart of the girls being revealed. People need to see the nightmares and devastation they endure, and that there are a lot of evil people out there who are very good at what they do. But, I know my God is greater, because of all the healing, restoration, and blessings he has given me. Thank God for Shared Hope, Linda Smith, and many loving, compassionate, empathetic hearts to reach beyond themselves to strangers, and let them know they are somebody, and their lives are worth saving. --Jeanette Bradley, Social Services, Ohio

The stories in the book really made it come alive. The message was shocking, disturbing, horrifying. But it is also necessary. We in America need to know what is happening to our children right under our noses. We need to wake up to the fact that this horrific abuse is occurring and that we are allowing and even at times encouraging it. What will it take to change this? I challenge anyone to read Renting Lacy and not be motivated to do something to implement change in the abuse of children in America. --Student, Indiana