Human Trafficking May Be Happening In Your Community

At only eleven years old, “Stacey” found herself on the streets. She was afraid, but she knew it had to be better than the home situation she was running from.

Her optimism kept her going. She truly believed some caring adult would see her and offer help. But this never happened. Not one adult offered to help her – not one caring adult, that is.

 Instead, Stacey experienced the unspeakable horrors of human trafficking.

With 800,000 men, women and children being trafficked (forced into prostitution or involuntary labor) worldwide every year, how long do you think it will be before this heinous crime affects you or someone you care about?

This underground evil often imprisons its victims in deplorable conditions for years until they escape or are rescued. Human smuggling is likely happening right now – in your community.

Despite how prevalent human trafficking is, we’re often blind to what’s going on, even in our own neighborhoods. We must open our eyes and boldly speak up – and intervene when we suspect abuse.

Proverbs 31:9 (ESV) speaks strongly about what to do when we see others being mistreated:

Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

I spoke with three extraordinary people doing exactly this: Julie Smith (the then social services program coordinator for the Salvation Army), and Elder Lee Thomas and Dr. Kimberly Thomas (pastors of Destiny Church of God, International).

During our conversation, I learned what human trafficking is, how to spot it in our communities and how to help end it.

They told me true stories, like Stacey’s (a name I made up). And about how Pastors Lee and Kimberly were horrified to learn why their server at their favorite restaurant had a numbered tattoo on her neck.

Other indicators that someone may be in danger could include a child who has suddenly dropped out of school, a person with bruises in various stages of healing, someone who displays personality changes (such as startling easily or becoming despondent) or a person who appears undernourished.

Julie spoke about a woman who was subjected to human smuggling as a teenager, only three doors from her home. Thankfully, she’s come out of human trafficking and now shares her story to help others.

What would happen if we were to give these stories the attention and compassion they deserve?

I would like to end with a challenge from Pastor Lee which goes well with this week’s verse: “Make it your business to get involved just as you would want others to if it were your child, grandchild, niece or nephew who was in trouble.”

For more information about Human Trafficking, please contact:

Pastors Lee and Kimberly at DestinyChurchOfGod@gmail.com.

The END IT Movement (EndItMovement.com)

Truckers Against Trafficking (TruckersAgainstTrafficking.org).

Rescuing Hope, founded by Susan Norris (RescuingHope.com)

What do you think?

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Others might also benefit from your comment.)