Still Hope (Review and Giveaway)

Hope, a teenager from a tight-knit community, finds herself in danger  when the person she believes to be a new friend proves unsafe. Taken from all she  knows, Hope is forced into trafficking and stripped of her identity. After finding freedom from her captors, Hope discovers that survival is only the first  step. Inspired by true stories, Hope’s journey is a powerful illustration of the  courage it takes to walk the complex path of recovery. 

This film is an eye-opener and a wake up call to remind us of what is happening in our own backyards. Often, when we study about the Holocaust, we ask ourselves what we would do if we were in that situation. The problem is, oftentimes, we don't realize (or accept the fact) that these terrible events are happening until it is too late.

Once we do realize it, we want to do everything within our own power to help. We want to be there for these young girls. Yet, once you pray this prayer, and you begin meeting those who have experienced trafficking or childhood sexual abuse, you realize it is much more complicated than meets the eye—and so is the recovery.

This movie effectively answers common questions surrounding this topic including:

—Do I need to fear for my kids?

Although, it is happening, this doesn't mean that every time our daughters go to the local fair or park that we need to panic. The issue usually starts with people our children know and feel they can trust. If it happens in public, it is often through a trap. Police officers are continually warning parents to not allow their children to communicate with strangers online. This includes video games, social media, and online chat rooms. Seemingly innocent teens are actually not teens at all. We have all heard this, but it happens—often. The real issue is monitoring your child's screen time and knowing who they are talking to online. With three teens, I have found an effective way to do this. If you are unsure if you have placed effective safe marks in our home when it comes to device usage, book a Zoom call with me, and I am happy to help.

—Why don't they try harder to escape?

We usually only hear about the trauma that these girls face. We don't understand the mental abuse that goes along with it, often keeping them in the situation they are in. This movie does an incredible job showing that oftentimes blackmail is involved, dependance on drugs is initiated, and bribery for basic needs is used. Abuse, both mental and physical, is a trap that is multi-faceted—and the abusers know it, which is why they use it.

—Why do so many go back to this lifestyle?

I am so glad they addressed this question. It is so heartbreaking to see this, but it runs deep, and yes, some go back. For months, years, or decades, these girls have had their identities stolen from them. Sometimes their names were changed. Affirmations replaced with derogatory terms that can quickly and easily be internalized. Once they believe these lies about themselves, it is hard to change. As addressed in this film, the abusers generally know how to manipulate them and where to find them, sometimes homeless on the streets. When brought so low, with no other options, the abusers offer them bribes to come back to the lifestyle. It's hard to understand, but it happens often, and I am glad they brought this to light.

—Which Bible verses do I need to help girls like this?

I love that they showed that waving Bible verses around like a magic wand is not the answer. This can often cause them to clam up, shut down, and be resentful. Not because the Bible isn't powerful. It is. But the pain goes deep and the issues that need to be addressed in these cases are not often the ones that we see on the outside. The abused may seem distant, fearful, and unforgiving, but until the root issues are healed, we need to understand it is a process.

—How can these girls find help?

Please note the organization, Hope for Justice, that Christian music artist Natalie Grant shares in the clip below.

What I Appreciated About This Film

• Showing Hope having flashbacks of her family while in captivity, was a powerful reminder that even when in dark times, the good memories are often brought to the forefront of the mind. On the other end of the coin, she also was seen replaying in her mind how she wish she would have reacted in the pivotal moment of getting in the car with a stranger that she thought she trusted.

• Help from the community. When people saw something was wrong, they did something about it. That in and of itself can give us hope.

• Pointing out that the healing takes time. The film focused on specific PTSD symptoms that some might face. The pain has entered into the nervous system and will not leave by simply trying to "have a good mindset." The healing process takes time in so many areas including responses to certain sensory cues: sounds, smells, visual cues. The amount of healing time is different for everyone.

• Focusing on forgiveness. This too looks different for everyone and is not a magic formula for healing, but it is key, as it is the primary message of the Gospel and the only true way to find healing. The way there just looks different for each individual, which this movie shows.

Buy tickets today to see Still Hope in theaters starting 

February 5!

A portion of every ticket purchased goes directly to ministries and organizations fighting trafficking in the U.S.

Disclaimer: Many thanks to Studio 523 for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.