Raising Safe Sons - A Disruptors Summit Presentation w/ Tom Perez

The Masculine Wilderness Podcast

Fighting human trafficking begins with raising safe sons who are compassionate, empathetic, and committed to making the world a better place. By instilling values of humility and empathy in our boys, we cultivate a generation of men who not only understand the gravity of exploitation but actively work to combat it. It doesn't require formal membership in anti-trafficking organizations or special intuition; rather, it's a daily commitment to showing up and being present in our communities. By standing shoulder to shoulder with survivors and supporting law enforcement efforts, every individual has the power to make a tangible difference in the fight against human trafficking. Together, through collective action and unwavering dedication, we can create a safer and more just world for all.

Tune in to Tom's presentation, "Raising Safe Sons," at the Southern Oregon Human Trafficking Disruptors Summit co-hosted by Ride My Road, the ANP. This pivotal event aimed to address the urgent issue of human trafficking. In this episode, Tom discusses the importance of raising a generation of empathetic and vigilant young men to enhance the collective efforts to combat exploitation and create safer communities.

Note: This conversation touches on sexual violence, and while it’s never our goal to sensationalize the trauma of this topic, we strive to speak truthfully about the damage being done.

Tune in!

Resources Mentioned in the Episode

ANP Conference: https://anpconference.com/

Ride My Road; https://www.ridemyroad.org/

Southern Oregon Human Trafficking Disrupter Summit; https://rvml.org/event/southern-oregon-human-trafficking-disruptors-summit/

Key Highlights From The Show:

● [00:01] Intro and what in for you in today’s episode

● [01:33] How to keep our kids safe from sexual exploitation

● [07:31] Why sexual exploitation is a man’s issue

● [09:50] Ways men can influence and change the outcome

● [15:58] Humility and recognition in speaking and fighting exploitation

● [19:14] Anger Vs. mourning in holding pain and taking sustained purposeful action

● [24:36] Strong shoulders that are born out of inner strength and discipline

● [27:35] How appetites order our world and shape our agendas

● [30:44] What inspired Tomas into the work he does at Epic

● [38:04] Tomas’s one final navigational tool for the listeners

● [41:03] How to raise safe sons and keep the most vulnerable safe

● [42:01] Wrap up and end of the show

Standout Quotes:

● “The best answer to the question “How do I keep our kids safe isn’t simply to do better, more thorough investigations, provide more comprehensive wrap-around care or write better laws; there is more.” - [04:28]

● “Policy, police work, and victim services are the response to the exploitation problem, not the complete solution.”- [04:57]

● “Keeping our kids safe starts by raising safe sons.”- [05:18]

● “Appetites order our world and shape our priorities; we pay attention to our appetite daily and hourly; if we’re going to make a lasting difference, we have to remain hungry for change.”- [28:35]

● ”The damnable business of human trafficking thrives because of men, and it won't be eradicated without better men.”- [41:19]