'8 Days' Director Says US Sexual Slavery Problem 'Will Soon Surpass Illegal Drugs;' Actress Calls for More Government Funding
Jaco Booyens' "8 Days" explores the growing human trafficking epidemic in the United States and the film was inspired by his very own sister, a former sex slave.
The Independent film, which is inspired by real events, follows the story of 16-year-old "girl next door" Amber (Nicole Smolen) who is sold into sexual slavery by trusted friends in Suburban America. In just over one week her world is turned upside down due to her devastating ordeal and Booyens hopes the film will act as a "conversation starter" to ultimately help fight the growing crime.
Human trafficking is the trade of people, usually for the purpose of sexual slavery.
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"Sex trafficking or sexual slavery is in public schools, it's kids trafficking kids, it's in every neighborhood - it's not a respective of race or class or environment," Booyens told the Christian Post at the "8 Days" premiere in New York on Tuesday. "Atlanta, Georgia is the number one [problem area] in the world. Five of the top 10 [problem areas] in the world are US cities. So this thing is an epidemic and literally it's a crime without a face."
"8 Days" was partly inspired by the story of Ilonka Deaton, Booyens' sister, who at age 12 was raped and sold into sexual slavery for five years. The Christian worship artist's music is featured on the soundtrack and the film also stars Ariana Stephens, Katie Walker and Kim Baldwin.
"It means so much to me," Deaton said of Booyens directing a film in her honor. "The Lord's done amazing work. Could I ever get [my] time back? No. But I refuse to remain a victim. I am victorious today and I will not be defined by what someone chose to do to me. I'd rather choose to live in victory."
Booyens hopes that the confronting film acts as a "conversation starter" to ultimately help tackle the issue.
"Sexual slavery in the United States has surpassed illegal arms trade, financially. It will soon surpass illegal drugs. It's an incredible epidemic and on the rise," he said. "I would like for this film to be a conversation starter ... for parents to say 'ok there is a crime and this is real.'"
Leading actress Nicole Smolen, who plays Amber in the film, spent months preparing for her role. She said that while the government is "trying hard" to tackle the issue, she would ultimately like to see more funding go into better education on the issue.
"I chose to get involved with '8 Days' because I knew that someone needed to talk about human trafficking and I've always been so passionate this issue. We need to do something about it, I want to educate people," she said. "I don't think there's enough funding. I think the government is trying as hard as they can, but they can only do so much. Homeland security investigation officers are incredible, they trained a lot of our actors on set and they were so generous with their time."
All the proceeds from the film go to Seattle safe houses and non-profit organizations that fight sex trafficking.
Ariana Stephens who plays Sugar, another trafficking victim, acknowledged that the film is very confronting and she believes that is a good thing
"I hope that people are uncomfortable with this [film] and are moved enough to do something. I hope that they get a little glimpse into what [sexual slavery] is like," said Stephens.
Jayne Bigelsen, Director of Anti-Human Trafficking Initiatives' Covenant House in New York, hopes the film helps people understand that human trafficking is not just a foreign issue.
"People don't understand that trafficking happens here in the United States. They think it's an issue from abroad. I work with people everyday that have had these experiences right here in New York City," she said.
Tina Kelly, co-author of Almost Home: Helping Kids Move from Homelessness to Hope, said that although human trafficking can affect anyone, there are some vulnerable targets.
"People who are homeless and vulnerable and don't have grownups or good community background working with them," Kelly said. "If they're isolated or vulnerable, they're quick to be picked up by traffickers and pimps."
