n 20 May sermons about sex will be preached in hundreds of churches of all denominations up and down the country. The charity CHASTE Churches Alert to Sex Trafficking across Europe - is launching the first-ever Not for Sale Sunday to make people aware of abuses happening in the UK and around the world in prostitution, pornography and trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Use of abusive pornography and websites has grown four times over the last decade, making Not for Sale Sunday extremely timely CHASTE CEO Dr Carrie Pemberton says: "One of the profound paradoxes of modern church life is that many churches find it difficult to address in its weekly teachings and practice, issues surrounding sex. Some seem preoccupied with the issue of homosexuality, much of which is undertaken consensually, and scant attention is paid to the absolutely nonconsensual and frequently violent assaults on women's bodies that pay-as-you-go sex involves, at a local and global level."
We hope that Not for Sale Sunday will become a real turning point in the consciousness of the churches so that they recognize they can make a difference to the culture of sexual abuse
CHASTE has a range of resources to help churches address the issues of sex trafficking and prostitution. Not for Sale Sunday has its own dedicated website with newly commissioned prayers, bible studies, hymns and meditations. Singer song-writer Helen J Hicks has written and released a brand new single, 'Love's Not for Sale,' to accompany the Sunday. All royalties from the song are being given to CHASTE to
further its work of support and prevention.
Not for Sale Sunday is a chance for churches to engage with some of the ingrained social attitudes which keep sex trafficking and prostitution in the shadows of society.
Dr Pemberton said: "We hope that Not for Sale Sunday will become a real turning point in the consciousness of the churches so that they
recognize they can make a difference to the culture of sexual abuse which is present in prostituted sex whether trafficked or local."
Over the last three years CHASTE has been working with The Salvation Army and the Congregation of the Religious to help the UK respond to the needs of trafficked women and children. CHASTE is now researching the reasons behind the growth of trafficking in the UK and has discovered that the rise in trafficking is a response to demand.
Without a rising demand for pay-as-you-go sex, unquestioned and unaddressed, there would not be over 4,000 young women being trafficked into this country and sold to pimps for sexual exploitation. Not for Sale Sunday is a key opportunity to help Christian communities discover what they can do to help stop sex trafficking in the UK and across Europe.
CHASTE was formed in 2004 and with its partners provides 18 safe housing places: nearly half of the total safe housing available in the UK to survivors of sex trafficking.
Not for Sale Sunday 20th May 2007 will be celebrated in hundreds of churches across the denominations in the UK.
(Info at www.notforsalesunday.org and www.chaste.org.uk)