What is True Awareness?
Being aware that human trafficking is happening, how much it is happening, or where it is happening does not make us fully “aware”. Partial awareness can be accomplished with quick stats, bullet-point statements, graphs and charts, and catch phrases; but none of these capture the human experience or truly engage the heart of those who are interested to know.
The “humanity” of human trafficking is found in both the real human story, and the real human impact in the aftermath of these crimes. Trafficking humans is modern-day slavery. The methods of doing this are in the exploitation of a person’s vulnerabilities, the removal of their choices, and the creation of their total dependence on the trafficker. The customer base is the 4-5% of the male population in America that regularly seek human bodies for sale to please themselves sexually. Those bodies belong to people, just like you and me, who have succumbed to, or have been trapped by, this hideous enterprise.
The experiences of the victims reveal the real story to us. Their pain and fear should be heard, and it should jolt us out of our apathy and indifference, and motivate us into action both to protect the victims, and to do all we can to prevent it from happening within our sphere of influence.
Here’s what I’m talking about:
Katy* shared with us, “As a survivor of sexual exploitation and human trafficking, I lived in a constant state of fear, danger and isolation. I had no safe shelter and no resources to meet my needs; I was homeless, jobless and hopeless.”
Margret* said, “I was a prisoner of my trafficker for years. I was not allowed to communicate with anyone and could rarely even go outside. The mind control that he had over me was so intense and so powerful that I honestly didn’t think I could survive without him. I had no hope for my future and couldn’t see a way out. I was just desperate to figure out a way to endure the physical assaults and sexual trauma.”
And Loretta* commented, “When I was in the life of prostitution I felt like a million shattered pieces. I fooled myself into thinking I had a glamorous life, but the reality I was actually living was filled with darkness, and cruel, sadistic people. Inside I felt worthless, broken and hopeless. I hated my life, and I hated myself. I had a deep longing to be healthy and happy, but had no idea how to achieve that.”
These are true testimonies of sex trafficking survivors we have served here at Engedi Refuge. They are just brief snippets offered to us from hundreds of hours of conversation and testimony about their experiences. Their stories are the real stories about trafficking; and every woman we’ve ever helped has a similar one.
Real awareness of human trafficking is to assimilate the human tragedy of trafficking. And the right response to our awareness is to provide safety for the victims, and to prevent it from happening again. If we don’t, who will?
Become a financial partner of Engedi Refuge today to become a part of the solution.
*The names have been changed to protect their identities.