The Human Trafficking Epidemic
The law defines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, or harboring of individuals using coercion, force, or fraud with the intent of exploiting them for labor or commercial sex acts against their will. Traffickers may use a variety of tactics to recruit and control their victims, such as deception, violence, romance, and fake promises of education or job opportunities.
While the two primary forms of trafficking involve sexual manipulation and forced labor, there are other types as well. These include:
• Involuntary domestic servitude: This takes place in private residential settings, where an individual is made to perform domestic work and doesn’t have free will to leave.
• Organ removal: There’s a high demand for healthy organs on the black market, but once an organ removal is done, victims receive little to no compensation and may be left facing serious physical harm.
• Debt bondage: Also referred to as bonded labor, this happens when someone is compelled to go into slavery to repay a loan but eventually discovers the loan will never be paid off, leading to permanent enslavement.
• Forced marriage: In this situation, one party is forced into a legal union without their consent.
• Forced begging: Oftentimes, traffickers will force children to beg for money out on the streets using threats and intimidation.
The worldwide statistics on human trafficking show a concerning reality about the nature of this industry. For example, according to the U.S. Department of State, 27 million people globally are estimated to be victims of human trafficking. Of those individuals, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes finds that children make up about 35%. Additionally, the International Labour Organization reports that human trafficking accounts for approximately $236 billion in illegal profits each year, making it a booming business.
How Technology Impacts Human Trafficking
In today’s digital age, people are using telecommunications more than ever to facilitate many aspects of their daily lives. This has created a complex relationship between technology and human trafficking.
Unfortunately, advanced technologies have given perpetrators increasing opportunity to connect with potential victims. Tools like webcams, text-based chat apps, and social media make it easier for traffickers to locate and access victims in any location. They also provide a way to spread exploitive materials and exchange monies without exposing themselves.
On the other hand, tech companies play a major role in helping law enforcement with their efforts to fight against trafficking. Digital resources and devices make it possible to spread awareness, analyze trafficking trends, and track down victims and perpetrators. For instance, mobile apps have been developed to specifically identify victims of trafficking, web scraping tools are able to aggregate child abuse images, and satellite imagery is used to locate fishing vessels carrying victims.
Signs of Human Trafficking & How to Help
While each victim’s experience is unique, there are common indicators of human trafficking that the public can watch out for in their own communities. Red flags to be conscious of are:
• Evidence of abuse (bruises, broken bones, branding, burns, and other injuries)
• Malnourishment
• Suddenly avoiding or not being allowed to have social contact
• Exhibiting anxiety, depression, fearfulness, or submissiveness
• Living in unhealthy conditions, doesn’t have control of their own possessions, or doesn’t have identification
• Skipping school
• Constantly deferring to someone else when asked questions
• Working excessive hours
If there’s any suspicion that someone is being trafficked, it’s important to report it to authorities or the National Human Trafficking Hotline. In addition, individuals and organizations can host or volunteer at anti-trafficking events to educate others in the community, organize anti-trafficking fundraisers, become a youth mentor, and use social media to bring attention to the trafficking epidemic.
Success Stories & Progress in the Fight Against Trafficking
For many years, organizations in different countries have been doing what they can to help combat human trafficking and advocate for victims. However, the following three organizations, in particular, are actively leading the charge in eliminating this massive issue.
• Operation Rescue Children: Based in Texas, ORC helps to empower law enforcement and various anti-trafficking groups that are working on the front line to rescue victims of trafficking. They provide the training and tools necessary to navigate these rescue missions safely and successfully.
• All Things Possible Ministries: Founded in 2003 by Victor Marx, ATP Ministries is a faith-based organization that works across the globe to impact the lives of those who have been affected by trafficking. They deliver toys to children who have been displaced, offer financial support to children who need medical care after experiencing trauma, and provide housing and supplies to women who have been exploited by sex trafficking.
• Free the Oppressed: Since 2016, FTO has made it their mission to support the Free Burma Rangers, who work with local pro-democracy groups in Burma, Iraq, and Sudan. The FBR helps train and give supplies to relief teams that are tasked with saving people in these high-conflict areas.
Fortunately, due to a number of successful interventions and rescues performed by these and other anti-trafficking organizations, there are several survivors who are able to share their story with the rest of the world.
“Bella,” a young woman from Cambodia, is just one example of how ATP Ministries has made a difference in the lives of so many. Here’s a bit of her story:
As a young child, my family life was full of violence. My mother and father drank a lot. My father raped and impregnated my 13-year-old sister. When the police found out about what he did, they put him in prison and took my sister away to get help. At that time, I was around 8 or 9 years old, and my mother and I were left with no means of support.
My mother started drinking heavily … I remember sneaking away in the early morning while my mom was still asleep. I simply wanted to go to school.
Even though my name was not on the register, I begged the teachers to let me sit in so I could learn. Thank goodness they were gracious enough to allow me to stay. …
The more drunk my mother got, the more violent she was towards me. … I am only alive today because a relative saw her and intervened.
I often fled to my neighbor’s house, where I thought I could sleep safely. I was wrong. At night, my neighbor molested me. Eventually, we lost our house and possessions, so my own mother tried to sell me.
A couple of years later, my older sister met Holly from All Things Possible Ministries’ House of Refuge and asked for her help. Finally, God answered their prayers and they rescued me!…
I felt loved, protected and supported. I had clothing and food, a safe room to sleep in and I was allowed to go to school. I became part of a family with “Mom Holly” and many wonderful sisters.
Most importantly, I had an opportunity to get to know the real God who saved my life! Over time, I have grown in my relationship with my Lord, Jesus Christ! I now know who I am in Him! I am filled with joy and can encourage other people to keep going and never give up. I also love sharing the Gospel of Christ.
Anyone can join the fight against trafficking by staying informed and getting involved in your community. Along with promoting physical health and fitness, Living R3 is dedicated to doing our part in the quest to bring human trafficking to an end. As our way of supporting this mission, we gladly donate 3% of our total gross product sales each month to the three organizations mentioned above. Together, we can help free victims from exploitation and finally put a stop to trafficking.
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