Empathetic Accountability: Engaging Male Allies in Anti-Trafficking Efforts with Ty Bowden

In this episode of the Masculine Wilderness Podcast, Tom chats with Ty Bowden and his work with The Net, an anti-trafficking organization based in Fort Worth, Texas. He shares how Men Against Sexual Exploitation (MACE) came to be and gives some powerful stories about their efforts to cut down on the demand for commercial sexual exploitation.Ty goes over both the wins and the challenges of getting male volunteers and buyers involved, stressing how important it is to approach things with empathy and accountability. They also dig into the cultural roots of exploitation, how recent laws have made a big difference, and the importance of building healthy male communities to drive change. Ty wraps up by talking about how he’s raising his own sons to value care and responsibility, and gives advice for both younger and older generations who want to get involved in this important work.About Ty Bowden:A Fort Worth native and TCU political science grad, Ty hasn’t had to go very far to pursue his passions. After starting volunteer work with The Net in 2013 while at TCU, Ty is now the Associate Director, where he oversees the MASE Program and keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes. Ty is passionate about bringing men to the fight for justice in Fort Worth and across the country. A leader in the demand disruption movement in Texas, Ty has trained hundreds of men to engage and disrupt potential sex buyers over the last several years, as well as personally interacted with thousands of buyers. When he’s not at his desk or leading a training, Ty is either cheering on the Horned Frogs, out chasing wild turkeys, or drinking a glass of wine and reading a book on his Fairmount front porch, accompanied by his wife Sarah, son Shepherd, and their dog Camp.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction to the Masculine Wilderness Podcast00:07 Meet Ty Bowden: A Generative Man01:04 Ty's Background and Work with The Net02:28 The Early Days of MACE and Demand Reduction06:37 The Start of Online Patrols14:19 Real-Life Disruptions and Early Challenges17:38 Generational Perspectives on Anti-Trafficking Work24:42 The Role of Faith and Community in the Mission27:37 Personal Reflections on Engaging with Buyers28:26 Texas' Unique Legal Approach to Prostitution29:23 Impact of the New Law on Buyers and Law Enforcement31:03 Challenges and Realities of Buyer Deterrence33:44 Understanding the Motivations of Buyers37:48 Balancing Empathy and Accountability44:23 Family Dynamics in Anti-Trafficking Work47:49 Hopes for Future Generations and Encouragement for Older Men51:59 Podcast Conclusion and Acknowledgements