Today we’d like to introduce you to Lois Lee.
Lois, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In 1973, I wrote “The Pimp and His Game,” the basis of my training of thousands of members of law enforcement and my expert testimony in state and federal courts since the 80’s.
As a PhD student in sociology in 1979, I discovered children, some as young as 11 years old, prostituting on the streets of Hollywood for food to eat and a place to sleep. When I realized that these youngsters were “falling through the cracks” of the social service system, I made it my mission to help, opening my home to more than 250 children over the next three years; thus was the founding of Children of the Night, where I continue to serve as President.
Children of the Night is the first established and only comprehensive sex trafficking program in the world devoted to the development of specialized programs and education for prostituted children and young people who need critical intervention to become successful adults.
Since 1979, Children of the Night has rescued over 10,000 American children from prostitution in the United States—that is more children than other sex trafficking programs combined.
Children of the Night maintains a 70% to 80% success rate with her life-changing work that mobilizes children from prostitution to a successful adult life. Children of the Night graduates go on to become Homeland Security, teachers, bankers, social workers, firefighters, and other professionals.
Throughout the years, Children of the Night has gained the reputation as one of the most prominent and successful organizations in the world addressing the needs of America’s sex-trafficked children.
My pioneering work with child sex trafficking victims has blazed the trail for academics, researchers, law enforcement, social service providers and legislators across the globe.
As a result of my efforts, police now treat America’s child prostitutes as victims instead of criminals, and juvenile courts divert them to shelters, foster homes and treatment programs rather than detention.
Congress and State legislators have developed tough laws against pimping and pandering and the customers who pay children for sex. Additionally, sex trafficking task forces have been created across the country.
I have received countless awards for my groundbreaking work, most notably the prestigious President’s Volunteer Action Award, presented to me by President Ronald Reagan at the White House in 1984.
I also received the 1994 National Caring Award, and my portrait hangs in the Frederick Douglass Museum and Hall of Fame for Caring Americans in Washington, D.C.
I have been profiled on national television including CBS 60 Minutes and my life was portrayed in a 1985 CBS Movie of the Week entitled “Children of the Night.”
In 1989, I was lauded by rock musician/songwriter Richard Marx in his song entitled “Children of the Night” which appeared on his 1989 “Repeat Offender” album and proceeds were donated to help build Children of the Night’s world-class 24-bed shelter home and school.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No. In the beginning, many were angered by my lawsuits against the police department. I faced criticism but worse humiliation when jokes were made about my interest in helping prostituted children.
I was threatened, not by pimps, but politicians and other powerful men who feared the information I was obtaining during my research.
I have struggled for funding for 40 years and my fight for youth often creates jealousy and hatred for me.
Children of the Night – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Throughout the years, Children of the Night has gained the reputation as one of the most prominent and successful organizations in the nation addressing the needs of America’s sex-trafficked children. Diplomats come from all over the world to observe our work; that includes many European and Southeast Asian countries, as well as Japan, Romania, Nepal, Africa, India, Mexico, and Canada.
Since our inception, all Children of the Night programs have been exclusively funded by private donors.
Children of the Night has developed an effective model of case management and education combining advanced internet technology and mobilized social services for sex trafficking victims.
From our headquarters, Children of the Night Case Managers provide children 24-hour services, seven days a week. Whether they need rescue from pimps, medical services, public health insurance, social security/disability benefits, maternity housing, drug program placement, domestic violence shelter, emergency transportation, mental health services, psychiatric evaluations or access to psychotropic medications, advocacy with the courts, social workers, probation officers, resume preparation, job placement assistance, access to vocational or trade schools or community colleges, applications for FAFSA (federally funded financial aid) – we are ready and willing to help.
Our FREE tutoring through ZOOM tutors sex trafficking victims so they may obtain their high school equivalency – a vital first step in escaping the streets. The high school equivalency enables them to enter the military or work in support positions in medicine or law; attend vocational or trade school and even community college.
Our students are unable to attend regular school because of extensive existing trauma and their on-going chaotic lifestyles – therefore our case management program dovetails with our GED online tutoring program.
The number of young people we reach since our transition from shelter to mobile case management has increased the number of clients by 90%.
Permanent solutions for young people trying to escape prostitution may only be resolved by innovative social services – not by law enforcement.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
The number of children and young people who I can rescue from prostitution and help them obtain successful adult lives free of drugs, crime and abusive partners.
Pricing:
- $2,000,000 annual budget
- $15. – $20 an hour to tutor or provide life saving case work to an American child sex trafficking victim
- $20 an hour to tutor a child sex trafficking victim in a developing country
Contact Info:
- Address: 3450 Cahuenga Blvd W, Unit 602, Los Angeles, Ca 90068-1592
- Website: www.childrenofthenight.org
- Phone: 800 551 1300
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/childrenofthenightinc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/childrenofthenightinc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/COTNight
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/children-of-the-night-los-angeles
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