Over the past few years, I’ve had the honor of meeting and interviewing some remarkable women who opened my eyes to something I didn’t even know existed: modern-day slavery.

I firmly believe that awareness leads to action. 

Since January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking month, I was compelled to share with you, dear readers. 

Sexual exploitation hasn’t stopped — not even during this global health crisis. Unfortunately, it has increased.

Did you know that right now millions of children and adults are trapped in slavery in every single country in the world? Including the United States which according to statistics is one of the worst countries in the world.

Brace yourself because the stats are heartbreaking.

Twenty-one million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking. Trafficking is a $153 billion business, catching up to drug trafficking as the fastest growing criminal enterprise. The most heavily trafficked people group are American children! The FBI estimates sex trafficking in the U.S. involves 100,000 children, 60% of child sex trafficking victims recovered through FBI raids across the U.S. in 2013 were from foster care or group homes.

The ugly truth is, trafficking is most likely happening in YOUR city.

So, if you’re like me, you are asking, “What can I do?”

You’ve already begun by reading this post. Here are a few other ways you can help.

  1. Know the signs of human trafficking:
  • Poor living conditions
  • Signs of physical abuse.
  • Tattoos of ownership.
  • Submissive or fearful.
  • Scripted answers.
  • Few personal belongings.

Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) provides a free online course called Signs of Trafficking Course 

Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 

Call 911 if you suspect someone has been trafficked and is in immediate danger.

  2. Follow, donate, and/or volunteer.

  • Operation Underground Railroad has rescued and supported thousands of survivors in 28 countries and 26 U.S. states.
  • Polaris works to reshape the systems that make sex and labor trafficking possible and profitable in North America.
  • Hope for Justice is committed to ending slavery in our lifetime.
  • Voices of Justice is an online magazine that “shines a light in the darkness.”

“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.” Psalm 82:3

 

 

 

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