SUBJECT: WENDY* IS A VICTIM OF SEXUAL TRAFFICKING NOT A SEX OFFENDOR!

November 15, 2005

To whom it may Concern:

My name is Anne Bissell. (www.annebissell.com, www.sexindustrysurvivors.com). Since 1997 I have helped women who are survivors of the sex industry make the necessary changes so that they can be a productive participant in their lives post-sexual exploitation, post-sex industry.

I have heard many heart-breaking stories. Wendy* is one of them. Wendy was victimized, terrorized by a notorious Pimp. He forced her and other women into years of what we are now calling "Modern Day Slavery."

Unfortunately, because of the way the system is now set up, Wendy is being forced to register as a sex offender. She is NOT a sex offender. For years, she had a gun held to her head, and her pimp threatened to kill their mutual son if she didn't either turn tricks, or do whatever else he commanded.

Wendy is a loving, honest, hardworking woman, who is now a member of Sex Industry Survivors in Orange County. Every Tuesday she drives two hours each way in rush hour traffic to lead one of SISA's survivor programs in a house for disadvantaged women in Pasadena.

We must begin to realize that women are being trafficked right here in the United States. We must fight for women like Wendy. I intend to. Please support me in helping Wendy change these laws that re-victimize women forced into prostitution.

Contact me at:
anne@annebissell.com
or info@sexindustrysurvivors.com
Together we can make a difference.

Sincerely,
Anne Bissell
Executive Director
Voices for Justice/SISA

(*In order to protect Wendy, her last name is being withheld in insure her privacy.)