A new mural covers the wall by the Student Help Desk in the E Hallway on the second floor. The mural was created by Sarah Kiyak’s Block Two senior English class to bring awareness and raise money for sex trafficking prevention. The mural is surrounded by student handprints and includes a quote from Elie Wiesel: “Let us remember: what hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the bystander.” The handprints were purchased for three dollars and the proceeds were sent to Courtney’s House, an organization committed to the prevention of sex trafficking in the D.C. area.

The students’ experience with the book, Sold, by Patricia McCormack, inspired them to create the mural. McCormack’s Sold chronicles the life of a young girl sold into the sex trafficking industry. The book inspired the students to take a stand against human trafficking.

Erin Neff, Assistant Project Manager of Courtney’s House recently visited Kiyak’s class and spoke to the students about the charity and sex trafficking. Courtney’s House was founded by Tina Frundt, a sex trafficking victim and T.C. graduate. Courtney’s House is named after Frundt’s oldest daughter, and allows victims to say they are just, “going to Courtney’s House,” said Neff.

Sex trafficking occurs when older men or women coerce, force or deceive minors into performing commercial sex acts for money. This process is commonly known as prostitution or “pimping.” The “pimps” involved in sex trafficking force young women, men and transgender people into prostitution often by raping and beating them into submission. These victims become known as “hookers” or “sluts.”

“The girl becomes nothing more than a ho,” said Neff.

Courtney’s House helps girls, boys and transgender minors to overcome the process of “pimping.” It also provides services for adults on an emergency basis. The charity, located in Washington D.C., provides case management, counseling, group therapy, medical treatment, food, clothing and toiletries to victims of sex trafficking. Courtney’s House also helps provides a support group and helps victims acquire their GEDs or find lawyers. There is a street outreach program where volunteers go to high trafficked areas of D.C. and provide emergency information. There is also a 24 hour survivor hotline open seven days a week (1-888-261-3665.)

As Kiyak’s students read about sex trafficking, they were appalled by what they discovered. Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry according to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC.)

“The adults involved in sex trafficking are disgusting, immoral human beings who attempt to destroy innocent children’s lives,” said Kiyak.

While illegal in the United States, the laws against sex trafficking are dormant and not as effective when prosecuting the offenders. While the law attempts to catch up with the growing rates of sex trafficking victims, many organizations have begun providing important services to help victims overcome their abuse.

Safe houses, community centers, free clinics, domestic abuse hotlines and the police have worked to provide victims with the resources they need to “get out of the life.” Social services, prosecution of “pimps” and healthcare services are provided to victims.

“We have worked with T.C. kids who have been trafficked. This is something that’s happening in your backyard,” said Neff.

Neff discussed the importance of sex trafficking awareness in the community with Kiyak’s class. Neff said that the media has desensitized the issue of sex trafficking by turning it into something cool.

“A pimp is something cool [in our society],” said Neff.

Songs such as P.I.M.P by rapper 50 cent have glorified the sex trade. MTV has also popularized the act of “hooking” or “gold-digging,” all common occurrences in the sex trafficking industry.

“That song [P.I.M.P] is about child abuse, is about rape and is about sex trafficking,” said Neff.

Neff continued to ask the students what they believed defined a pimp. The students stated that a pimp was a man who could “get” any girl he wanted. These girls were then classified as a hooker, a hoe or a slut. Neff then urged the students to reexamine their view of the word “pimp.” She said that is was okay 50 years ago to call someone the N word, but now it is offensive. Neff told students that the same thing needs to happen to the word pimp.

“[People think] a pimp is something cool. A pimp is a pedophile and a pimp is a child abuser. No one can justify being a pedophile,” said Neff.

For more information about sex trafficking visit: http://www.polarisproject.org/, and for additional information about the non-profit organization Courtney’s House, visit: http://www.courtneyshouse.org/

Emma Beall also contributed to this article.

A recent Theogony study found in one Blue day math class that out of 22 students, 10 had their laptops open and 7 were on Facebook. At T.C., the Internet has become a resource that many students use every day to do their homework and socialize. However, the online world has quickly become a venue for both good and bad Titan behavior. “Facebook is taking over many people’s social lives,” said sophomore Kamera Bracey.

T.C. junior La’Shawn Moultrie said, “Facebook [causes] drama [and] fights,” while sophomore Ben Khaki noted “Facebook is a beautiful thing.”

While Moultrie and Khaki have different opinions, they are both devoted Facebook users. Many students use Facebook for school associated activities, including T.C. junior and aspiring choreographer, Leah Valtin-Erwin, who uses Facebook to communicate with the dancers in the T.C. Modern Dance Society. Other groups at T.C. that use Facebook to communicate include the Sophomore Honor Society, French Honor Society, The Red Cross Club, and the Drama Department. The Red Cross Club used Facebook to advertise its Valentine’s Day Auction, and the T.C. Williams Drama Department has used the social networking site to publicize upcoming shows. Theogony is also an avid Facebook user.

However, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) parent Karen Helbrecht said, “Any tool can be abused.” Recently, a controversial Facebook page, “T.C. Hoes,” was created anonymously with photos of students followed by inappropriate captions.

Sophomore Ariane Jaffe said “[“T.C. Hoes” is] really just stupid, because you can’t post stuff like that; it’s disrespectful.” However, not every student found the page offensive.

Junior Eugene Abbey said “It’s messed up, but funny.” The page made local news and many T.C. students friended the page before the T.C. administration, in association with Facebook, removed the site.

Shortly after the removal of “T.C. Hoes,” “T.C.’s Beautifulest” was created. “T.C.’s Beautifulest” was anonymously made and asked T.C. students to submit names and photos of the most beautiful people at T.C. to be posted on the site. “There’s nothing wrong with “T.C.’s Beautifulest,” said Moultrice.

While the author of “T.C.’s Beautifulest” may not have meant to offend students, the general consensus for the site was distaste. “It’s stupid,” said Bracey, “and [though] it may seem [that it’s] anti- “T.C. Hoes,” it’s still discriminating against those students not on the site.” Sophomore Hannah Drexler agreed. “It’s a form of cyber bullying to everyone who isn’t on it.”

Currently, “T.C.’s Beautifulest” has evolved into Alexandria’s Beautifulest and now includes George Washington and Hammond Middle School students in addition to T.C. Titans.

“People should own what they say and if they post things anonymously, they’re bullies and immature,” said Helbrecht, referring to ACPS Underground, a recent anonymous blog attacking ACPS Central Office administration. “They should state who they are if they making something. They shouldn’t hide behind screen names.”

The page, written by anonymous blogger, “Voltaire,” at one point compares the protesters in Alexandria, Egypt to ACPS.

The blog also warns viewers that it will soon be blocked by the administration, stating that it is sad that the first amendment stops at the administration’s doors. “I think, although it’s not much better, that ACPS Underground seems to be a bit more intelligent than ‘T.C. Hoes,’”  said sophomore Ben Ribler. “That could be due to the group of people running it.”

Drexler did not think how well written a site is mattered as much. “People are still going to make a big deal about whatever it is.”

Ribler noticed the differences between the blog and the Facebook pages. “‘T.C. Hoes’ was to humiliate and ‘showcase’ girls in our school. ACPS Underground, while still a little mean-spirited, isn’t directly attacking anyone [in terms of sexuality],” said Ribler.

Lataillade agreed, “I think [“T.C. Hoes”] turned into something that just got out of hand and was [trying to] start drama.” Neither Lataillade nor Ribler saw a reason for ACPS Underground to be shut down.

They agreed that people should have the right to complain about the administration. Lataillade even saw the page as a message to the administration. “Those in charge should be aware of [the blog] since it’s obviously something they’re doing that people don’t agree with.” Ribler and Laitallade agreed that ACPS Underground, if taken seriously, could potentially improve the administration.

At press time, “T.C.’s Bait” was added to the list of anonymous Facebook pages. “Who has the time to make all these anonymous pages?” said Bracey. The anonymous pages continue to be a part of T.C. life. As the Internet becomes more prominent in student life, many parents are starting to place restrictions on internet and Facebook use. “I think we monitor the sites that [our children] go on, [and] we have some restricted sites,” said Helbrecht. Even though there is bullying carried out using the Internet, Helbrecht said, “Other peoples’ perception [of you] whether verbal or cyber shouldn’t affect how you feel about who you are.”

Jennifer Veech, an ACPS parent with children in elementary and middle school makes sure her children use the Internet safely. Although her children who are in second, fourth, and sixth grade do not use social networking sites or email, they do play games online.  She said her children do not have access to games that allow communication with strangers.

The idea of them talking to strangers…that makes me uncomfortable” said Veech, “It [the Internet] is just like fire.”

Emma Beall also contributed to this article

Is it no question that college expenses can be overwhelming for families, but a recent mass mailing to ACPS students offering college financial aid is thought to be a predatory lending program – one that reels students in but ends up being detrimental to the family. The personalized letter, as seen below, is known to have been sent to students at George Washington Middle School and more unconfirmed letters could be circulating. The program targeting these students cannot be named but distinct features of the letter include a reservation number and a phone number to set an appointment for a “personal interview.”

Eighth grade English teacher at GWMS, Claire Given, reported the mailings first and the news quickly spread to the PTA (Parent Teacher Association). An email was promptly sent out by GWMS PTA President, Melynda Wilcox in an attempt to prevent parents from getting roped into the program.

Although this organization has a legitimate website and gives off a benevolent façade, it is best to side with caution and, according to Ms. Given, “check out the information thoroughly before participating.”