Slavery Today
“The thing that filled me with such panic was that I could see no way out…so I numbed myself, as I submerged in prostitution.”
-Rachel Moran; ‘Paid For’
This is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. What you need to be “aware” of is that human trafficking is the slave trade. It is the buying and selling of human beings to be used for labor or sex in the commercial marketplace without regard for the safety, health, fair compensation or personal agency of the people being sold and used. It is the largest criminal enterprise in the world, and it now effects nearly 50 million people each year, according to the latest global reports.
Most of us think this can’t be happening; it must be made up, or at least the scope is exaggerated and intentionally misrepresented to make the numbers so large. The truth is it’s way worse than you think. Read the reports….they will shock you:
https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---ipec/documents/publication/wcms_854733.pdf
Slavery today exploits someone’s vulnerability; (whether it is their immigration status, age, gender, poverty or social isolation) and uses these things against them to coerce or force them into harmful servitude, economic dependency and psychological control. To keep someone enslaved chains and locks are not usually necessary (though sometimes they are used); lies, desperation and threats will do.
The quote from Rachel Moran’s book “Paid For” above says it well. Rachel’s story is about growing up in Ireland and falling prey to prostitution due to an experience of extreme family dysfunction and personal drug addiction. Her vulnerabilities created an easy target for the sexual exploitation of prostitution - a situation she could not see a way out of.
Rachel’s experiences are unbelievably common, and if we don’t look at these realities and trends for what they are, and respond with the appropriate care and concern, they will continue to erode any sense of safety and justice in our world.
Engedi Refuge is a way out for women like Rachel.
Help us stop the cycles of abuse caused by sexual exploitation, and bring hope to the hurting by making a donation to Engedi Refuge today.