Survivor of Sex Trafficking and Prostitution; Founder of the HOPE (Healing Outreach and Peer Empowerment) Project; Advocate; Abolitionist; and Mentor
Grandville “Tom” Jones
Grandville “Tom” Jones was molested by his father as a six year old child, and then sex trafficked until age 15, and briefly prostituted again in his mid-20s. After processing the trauma and impact of his own exploitation, Mr. Jones founded the HOPE Project to create an open and safe space for men to talk about being sexually exploited and work through deep feelings of shame and secrecy, in order to be able to begin healing. Mr. Jones is also a proud leader of the Survivor Leader Network of San Diego, and regularly engages in efforts to reduce the demand for prostitution and the sexual exploitation of men, women, and children.
“People see only what they want to see. When it comes to the idea of “choice,” there’s a very strong sense of tunnel vision because those who are choosing this work can’t see this other part—the people that sell themselves under duress; the human trafficking. To remove all penalties for purchasing someone who’s enslaving other human beings for any reason, sexual or not, is a dangerous thing to do. For men to be a productive and healing element in society, we must address the deeply hidden mindsets and secrets we hold that prevent us from being such. Men’s expectation that they have a right to women’s bodies however and whenever they want it is wrong. Mutual respect is essential. If we do our part effectively, men can be our hugest ally in the fight against human trafficking. Human trafficking is 100 percent preventable.”