I recently traveled to see some friends for a splendid weekend over the Fourth of July. My itinerary took me through the Salt Lake City airport for a nonstop flight to my destination. In the airport restroom, I was saddened to see a sign over the sink which instructed individuals how to recognize someone who was trafficking children, and more importantly what to do about it. It made me sad because there would not be such a sign unless something bad had happened to warrant law enforcement and airport authorities to post it.

When I returned to Denver, I was invited by a friend to view the movie “The Sound of Freedom” in a local theater. I confess that I had not heard of the film beforehand and going into the theater I thought I was going to view a sad documentary. The film is a drama about rescuing sexually exploited children. I will not divulge anything further about the film except to mention the most memorable line in the film: “God’s children are not for sale!” Because I think it is important to see this film, I will also tell you that I “paid it forward.”

If God’s children are not for sale, it is important to think of what it means when God’s children are for sale. It means that children are commodities to be bought and sold by the highest bidder for whatever purpose they need. If children are commodities, they can be traded like gold, silver and pork bellies. But what of the child who is having these things happen to them over and over again? Don’t they have a say in the matter? To state the painfully obvious comparison, slavery in all forms has been outlawed in this country for a long time.

Children are not sexual beings. They have the potential to have that happen by choice once they become adults but as children they are sexually innocent. That innocence is something that is still largely respected and should always be respected. That is why there are age-of-consent laws and laws against the sexual abuse of children. Society views this as a serious matter as it should, none of us should want to live in a country or world where children are for sale like commodities.

To prevent the sexual abuse of children via child trafficking and in other ways is everyone’s fight. It is one cause that I think everyone can agree should end in our politically fractured country regardless of whether you are progressive, conservative or whatever. California recently strengthened its criminal code and made the penalties for child trafficking in California stronger. This is one area where Colorado would be well served to follow the lead of California. Together, people of goodwill and determination can come together and say no more to this horrible occurrence. It ends now! Indeed, God’s children should never be for sale by anyone in any place at any time. Once that becomes a reality, the world will have a better future, especially in the eyes of children.

Joe Webb is the former chairman of the Jeffco Republican party.