Title: ELCA Women Hear Plea to Stop Sex Industry
ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 11, 1999

ELCA WOMEN HEAR PLEA TO STOP SEX INDUSTRY
99-WO-23-LS

     ST. LOUIS (ELCA)   "This is what's happening in America, you can't
get away from it," Heidi Somerset told participants at the Fourth
Triennial Convention of the Women of the ELCA. In her workshop titled
"It's NOT Pretty Woman," Somerset discussed the realities of
prostitution, how it damages women and ways to work to stop the sex
industry.
     The convention is meeting here July 8-11 at the America's Center.
The organization's three-year theme, "Live God's Justice," is unveiled
at the convention amid Bible study, keynote addresses, workshops,
business sessions and elections.
     "Prostitution is sex for money," said Somerset.  It's also sex for
food, shelter, love or attention, she said.  Somerset said the image of
a prostitute only working the street corner is incomplete.  Prostitution
happens in bars, casinos and "strip clubs," and is often advertised as
"escort services," she said.
     Somerset speaks from experience; she became a prostitute in
college after getting involved in partying and drinking.  Although she
came from a two-parent, rural household and was an honor student,
Somerset said she was still vulnerable because of her naivete.
     "I was date raped and lost my virginity.  I was saving myself for
marriage; what would I give to my husband?" she said during her
workshop.  Somerset said she started drinking more to bury the shame and
pain from the rape.
     She was lured into becoming a stripper by a new boyfriend, whom
she eventually learned was a pimp.  They married and they had two sons.
Somerset worked for an escort service for 10 years.  She eventually left
her husband and went back to college.
     Prostitution says that "women are merely objects for sexual
gratification," Somerset said. She said pornography is the "doorway to
the world of prostitution.  It trains our young boys how to think about
women and how to think about sex," she said.
     The average age that girls enter into prostitution is 14, Somerset
said.  Many are from families with a history of abuse, incest or
addiction, but just as many are lured into thinking they are joining a
modeling or talent agency, she said.
     Somerset called on the church to take action against the sex
industry.
     "We need to do something in the church," Somerset said.  She told
of an experience she had while trying to escape prostitution.  She went
to a church to talk to a counselor, confessing that she was a
prostitute, using drugs and was being beaten by her husband.  The
counselor promised to pray for her.
     "We need to do more than pray," Somerset said.   "My call is to
the church. I'm not going to let the pornographers and pimps run our
country.  We need to help our kids.  As a church, we need to lead."
     Somerset speaks out against prostitution through the Alliance for
Speaking Truths on Prostitution (A-STOP).  Founded in 1990 by the Rev.
Al S. Erickson, an ELCA pastor, the organization works to prevent
commercial sexual exploitation.  A-STOP is based in Minneapolis and
funds much of its programming through a matching grant from Aid
Associations for Lutherans, a fraternal benefits society based in
Appleton, Wis.  Erickson is director for A-STOP.
     The Women of the ELCA's Southwestern Minnesota Synod, one of the
ELCA's 65 synods, has worked closely with A-STOP to help raise funds and
encourage use of A-STOP programs and speakers.
     A-STOP developed a curriculum for junior high youth to teach them
to be wise and avoid risks that might lead to sexual exploitation.
"Wise As Serpents" is being used or evaluated in nearly 160
congregations.  A-STOP also produces "The STOPlight," a newsletter
issued three times per year.
      People are not adequately informed about the prevalence and
damage of the sex industry, Erickson said.
     "We're cutting a new groove here," he said.  "This is an issue for
today's kids."
     "We've got to tell women this is a problem," said Connie Feig,
Raymond, Minn., former board member of the Southwestern Minnesota
Synod's women's organization.  Feig was on the organization's executive
board when it joined forces with A-STOP.
     "The way it is fought is by one person taking a stand. One person
makes a difference. As Lutheran women, we are responsible to be that
'one person' who makes a difference," said Feig.


For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html