Author John DiGirolamo’s book, ‘It’s Not About the Sex,’ explores the disturbing and often misunderstood world of human trafficking

If you're a fan of action movies or the actor Liam Neeson, there's a good chance you've seen the “Taken” movies and remember, or even recite, the famous lines that Neeson tells his daughter's captors:

“If you are looking for ransom I can tell you I don't have money, but what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you, but if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you and I will kill you.”

The above passage is often seen in memes and quotes on the internet. It is rehashed by fans and is the inspiration for the movie's franchise.

While we can all feel the power, anger and determination of Neeson's character as he says these lines in his deep, gritty voice, when it comes to the subject of human trafficking, the movie is far from the reality of the crime.

It's the truth behind the dark dingy curtain of human trafficking that author John DiGirolamo shines a light on in his new book, “It's Not About the Sex.”

“Before writing this book, I was peripherally aware of human trafficking, believing it only occurred on our country's border or in large cities,” DiGirolamo explained. “Unfortunately, human trafficking is pervasive throughout this country and throughout the world. I decided to tell stories which occurred primarily in rural and suburban America because many people are surprised to find out it exists in idyllic small towns and what are considered ‘nice' communities as well as larger cities.”

Some of the topics DiGirolamo covers in his book include:

• How predators approach teens online
• Tips for parents on ways to protect their kids
• Misperceptions and reality of human trafficking
• How someone can get trapped into human trafficking
• What to do if you suspect trafficking behavior or activity in your neighborhood

“I wrote this book for people who were like me a year and a half ago, who knew a little bit about the issue, definitely wasn't an expert, but was sort of that average citizen,” the author explained. “I think most people would say ‘yeah, I've heard about it happening in Thailand or at the border.' But what I wanted to focus on was small town, rural, suburban nice communities that look like everyday America.

“It does happen in all these nice communities.”

During his research, DiGirolamo uncovered some shocking and disturbing statistics and facts.

Fifty-seven percent of sex trafficked victims are younger than age 18 with average ages of girls brought into human trafficking is between 12 and 14, while boys range in age from 11 to 13. The life expectancy of a human trafficking victim is only seven years.

On average, one victim can make over $300,000 in revenue for their trafficker, DiGirolamo writes. Victims are often raped anywhere from 15 to 20 times per day.

“The majority of runaways, homeless, abused and at-risk children are approached by pimps and drug dealers within 48-hours of landing on the streets,” DiGirolamo said. “That equates to one out of three kids being lured into sex trafficking.”

Other human trafficking facts DiGirolamo uncovers in his book include:

• 300,000 children each year are at risk of some form of sexual exploitation
• Boys are considered to be 40-45% of the victims being exploited
• 60% of children exploited in prostitution are recruited by peers
• Children who are sexually abused earlier in childhood are four times more likely to be targeted and victimized by commercial sexual exploitation
• Only 5% of those trafficked are kidnapped

“It's not some guy who is targeting strangers all of the time. It can be done via family, friends, peers, people that you have a relationship with online and some of these victims, especially underaged ones, can still be living at home,” DiGirolamo said. “There is clearly the at-risk groups, but several of the stories that I put in this book are of girls living at home, going to high school and get recruited by some older boyfriend or are befriended by another female.”

Along with information on human trafficking statistics and facts, DiGirolamo brings the book to the forefront of reality through the true stories of sex trafficking victims, advocates and law enforcement officials.

“The stories are not salacious or graphic but they do accurately describe the horrors of human trafficking. They are based on individual testimonies and aren't sensationalized to sound like a Hollywood production,” DiGirolamo said. “I really worked collaboratively with each of the people. I would send them something and say, ‘here's what I got. Does this capture you correctly?' and they would give me their feedback and I would make edits and changes. While all the information is true, the book reads like a fast paced fiction novel.”

Victims and survivors Angela and Jessica describe their experience in the dark underworld of human trafficking, while Jenelle, an advocate for minors who have been sexually exploited, talks about victims' transformation to survivors. Ronald, a federal law enforcement officer, details his experiences with human trafficking through stories from various case files and criminals.

“This book pulls back the curtain on sex trafficking, sexual addiction, and abuse in America … a world that is all around us, but often unseen,” Buena Vista Chief of Police Dean Morgan said. “Shining through these testimonies are also stories of triumph, faith, and redemption.”

DiGirolamo is a retired CPA who currently lives in Chaffee County.

He published his first book, “It's Not About the Badge,” in 2021. The book recounts the extraordinary stories of six small town police officers. DiGirolamo delves into the officers' personal lives, detailing what inspired them to pursue a career in law enforcement, their backgrounds, as well as their experiences in being a law enforcement officer.

Along with “It's Not About the Badge” and “It's Not About the Sex,” DiGirolamo authored a column for the Sangre De Cristo Sentinel and Winter Park Times. He has also published a collection of short stories titled “#12 Suicide.”

“It's Not About the Sex” can be purchased in paperback for $19.95, hardcover for $29.95 and as an Kindle e-book for $4.95 at online retailer Amazon.

To learn more about John DiGirolamo, his books and upcoming appearances, go to www.itisnotabout.com.