I sat alone. Sure, I sat in a crowded arena during a presentation on human trafficking. Still, when I learned it was happening in my backyard, I felt utterly isolated and paralyzed. What could I do? My seminary education did not prepare me for this. If you are anything like me, you have probably felt overwhelmed as you have tried to think through how you and your church can respond to sex and labor trafficking.
Human trafficking is indeed a catch-all injustice impacting vulnerable people globally. The United Nations (UN) defines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by means of threat, use of force, or other forms of coercion or deception for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation may include forced labor, sexual exploitation, slavery, or involuntary servitude. Human trafficking, in other words, is the unlawful exploitation of vulnerability for commercial gain.
So how do we move from paralysis to action? Here are Five ways that your local church can respond.
Awareness and Education: It's important to note that you will never be the hands and feet of Jesus unless you are His eyes and ears. In other words, before you can do anything about the exploitation hidden in your community, you must learn how to see it. One way to do this is by raising awareness about the issue in your congregation and community. One way to approach opening people's eyes can involve organizing educational events, inviting guest speakers, or screening documentaries to inform people about the issue. Let My People Go works with churches not only to provide speakers and training but also to offer help performing a community needs assessment so that you can have an accurate picture of what is happening around you.
Prevention: The church can actively engage in prevention efforts by educating vulnerable populations, such as children, youth, and immigrants, about the tactics and dangers of human trafficking. By providing support and resources, the church can help individuals recognize potential trafficking situations and protect themselves. Prevention can be as simple as conversing with a stranger and getting to know one another. One trick that traffickers use is to isolate people from those who care for them. So when your church prioritizes a healthy sense of community, you are doing the work.
Partnerships and Collaboration: The local church can collaborate with other secular and faith-based organizations specializing in anti-trafficking efforts. By joining forces, they can share resources, knowledge, and best practices to maximize their impact and provide comprehensive support to survivors. We are stronger together than we are apart.
Create an atmosphere of empowerment for Survivors: The church can offer a safe and supportive environment for survivors of trafficking. This empowerment can involve providing access to counseling, legal assistance, healthcare, and other essential services, but not stopping there. The church can also create spaces where survivors can share their stories find healing, and rebuild their lives. In this approach, it's vital to listen to survivors. As you attempt to follow Jesus to those most vulnerable, the local church mustn't see themselves in light of an unchecked messiah complex. God has not called the church to be heroes. Instead, he has called us to be neighbors. The church is not there to fix people but to pace with them as they walk their healing journey. In so many ways, the true hero is the survivor. On a related note, I appreciate churches that ask survivors how they experience the service and the overall culture of the church. Asking questions can make your church a healthier place for your most vulnerable neighbors.
Advocacy: You will only stand up for someone if you try to see the world from their perspective. The local church can advocate for more vital anti-trafficking legislation and local, national, and international policies. An easy way to become an advocate may include:
Engaging in letter-writing campaigns.
Meeting with lawmakers.
Supporting initiatives to combat human trafficking.
Prayer and Spiritual Guidance: The church can pray for victims, survivors, and those involved in anti-trafficking efforts. Additionally, the church can offer spiritual guidance and support to individuals impacted by trafficking, helping them find hope, restoration, and a sense of purpose. Let My People Go provides training and consulting for churches that desire to do something but don't know where to start. LMPG's mission is to empower the local church to fight human trafficking by loving those most vulnerable, in other words, focusing on those most often targeted by would-be exploiters in a manner best described as congregational and collaborative, with the Gospel as its motive.
To learn more, visit LMPG.org.