Human Trafficking Awareness

Today is World Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Human trafficking brings in approximately $150 billion per year, making it one of the most profitable criminal enterprises in the world. But we’re not just talking about forced labor, we are also talking about sex trafficking, which includes the trafficking in of children as young as 6 months old (read that again) for the purposes of being sexually abused. Actually, it’s more than just being sexually abused. Let’s call it what it is: rape. In many cases, the vicious attacks are filmed and put online, where more sick individuals can access it for a fee.

As I have been researching this topic, I’ve had to fight the urge to turn away. It would be emotionally easier to pretend it doesn’t exist. My spirit won’t let me forget it though. It’s gut wrenching to read about children being drugged, raped, and tortured multiple times a day. It baffles my mind when I read of parents selling their kids in order to make money (some do so out of desperation, others don’t). It breaks my heart to know there are around two million children currently being trafficked for the purpose of rape. These victims need our voices to speak up for them. They can’t speak for themselves. We, as Christ-followers, are told to speak for those who can’t speak and to seek justice for those who are “being crushed” (Proverbs 31:8).

Let’s look at the overwhelming statistics*:

a. Over 40 million people are currently enslaved
b. 10 million of those people are children
c. 2 million of those children are sold for sex (rape, let’s be real)
d. Human trafficking brings in $150 billion / annually
e. The U.S. has the greatest demand for child sex trafficking
f.  The U.S. is the largest producer of child pornography

So, what can we do?

1. Educate yourself: Visit sites like Operation Underground Railroad (ourrescue.org), International Justice Mission (ijm.org), or A21 (a21.org) for information regarding human trafficking.

2. Donate: donate to one of the organizations listed above or search for another organization. These organizations need your support as they help rescue and support the survivors of human trafficking.

3. Research how companies produce their goods: As mentioned earlier, another reason for trafficking humans is for the purpose of forced labor. Believe it or not, companies still use sweatshops and child labor for the production of their goods. Yes, even American companies. Several of the companies who have been called out on it in the past have promised to change, yet they haven’t. Though this may be difficult, we must spend our money wisely.

4. Contact your representatives and local officials and ask for anti-slavery / anti-sex trafficking legislation.

5. Boycott companies that still use child labor or sweatshops to produce their goods.

6. Pray. Pray for the evil to be exposed and that something is done about it. Pray for the rescuers and law enforcement officials who risk their lives to rescue the victims. Pray for the freedom of those enslaved. Pray for their healing and aftercare as they recover from the physical and mental trauma they experienced.

I know there is quite a bit going on in the world right now, but now is not the time to shrink back and turn a blind eye to human trafficking. We, the Church, need to call attention to it and do something about it. Let’s shine God’s light into this evil darkness and bring an end to modern day slavery.

*Statistics gathered from ourrescue.org https://ourrescue.org/blog/what-sex-trafficking-looks-like-in-the-u-s-infographic/ accessed 7/28/20.