Human trafficking is a global threat to vulnerable populations worldwide. It’s an injustice that affects millions of people on every continent and at all socioeconomic levels. This highly organized and lucrative business generates an estimated $150 billion each year; the majority of which is produced by sex trafficking of young women and men, and even children.
The United Nations’ International Labor Organization estimates nearly 21 million people are victims of human trafficking worldwide, with roughly 4.5 million of those victims being trafficked for sexual exploitation purposes.
The numbers don’t lie; human trafficking is an issue we all should be concerned with. No human being made in God’s image should be treated as a mere commodity—bought and sold, and used and discarded—for another’s gain.
As Christians who believe in the sanctity of human life, we play a key role in ending the exploitation of this vulnerable group of people. God tells us to stand up for the oppressed, the vulnerable. We need to let our hearts be broken for what hurts His heart—people He has made in His image who are being abused and victimized by the worst evil imaginable.
Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Just Between Us (JBU) is at work to help you learn more about the exploitation of vulnerable and marginalized people all over the globe. Please take a look at our other resources designed to educate, inform, and challenge you to pray about how you might be part of the solution to this global tragedy.
~ By Ronnie Wendt
HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION RESOURCES
National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline (1-888-373-7888)
The human sex trafficking industry is growing at exponential rates both worldwide and in North America. Of the estimated 27 million slaves in the world today, roughly 200,000 of them are in the U.S. Are you afraid the problem is so large and vast that there is nothing you can do? Not true! Help for those who are being victimized daily comes in many forms and vast resources are available for anyone who wants to help push back the darkness of sex trafficking. Books, movies, organizations, church-sponsored programs, conferences, safe-houses, counselors, speakers—learn how you can get involved. Find ways to get involved, be educated, and help transform lives. The time to act is now!
If you see signs of human trafficking in your community, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888. It is only through the efforts of all of us, that we can put an end to the exploitation of God’s people.
ORGANIZATIONS
- End Child Prostitution and Trafficking
- End Sexual Exploitation
- Exploit No More
- Faith Alliance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAST) International
- Hope For Justice
- International Justice Mission
- Not for Sale
- Pure Hope
- Redeeming Love
- Shared Hope International
- The A21 Campaign
- Truckers Against Trafficking
ARITCLES/BOOKS
- A Crime So Monstrous: Face-to Face with Modern-Day Slavery
- God in a Brothel: An Undercover Journey into Sex Trafficking and Rescue
- Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale: A Memoir
- How to Talk About Human Trafficking with Children and Adolescents
- In Our Backyard: Human Trafficking in America and What We Can Do to Stop It
- Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade—and How We Can Fight It
- Somebody’s Daughter: The Hidden Story of America’s Prostituted Children and the Battle to Save Them
- Witness: One Woman's Story from Human Trafficking to Freedom
SPEAKERS/ADVOCATES
- Betty Ann Boeving, Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition, Founder, Executive Director
- Bradley Myles-Executive Director and CEO, Polaris Project
- Justin Dillon-Founder, CEO, Slavery Footprint
- Linda Dixon, Manager, Department of Defense, Trafficking in Persons Program
- Nathan George-Founder, Trade as One
- Sean Litton-Sr. Vice President of Field Operations, International Justice Mission
MOVIES
