There is nothing humane about human trafficking! It involves the illegal trade of human beings, mainly for forced labour and sex trafficking, treating them like mere commodities. The most common form of human trafficking is sexual exploitation (79%) where the victims are predominantly women and girls. The second most common form is forced labour. Other forms include baby and organ harvesting, drug trade, child soldiers and forced adoption. Shockingly, someone is being trafficked every 30 seconds! It is hard to understand how any person could exploit another in this manner.
… we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12).
The global statistics are striking – 28 million men, women and children are trafficked and generate US $236 billion in illegal profit per year. This evil practice needs to be confronted and eradicated. Prayer and advocacy are ways by which believers can get involved (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Who are the most vulnerable?
Anyone can become a target of human trafficking, but there are places and circumstances that make some people more vulnerable to it.
- People from unstable households or poverty-stricken areas. If kidnapped for human trafficking, it may not be reported or noticed. Sometimes individuals are intentionally ‘sold’ for money.
- Runaway children or children living on the street are especially vulnerable. When they go missing it will seldomly be linked to a possible abduction for human trafficking.
- Kidnapped individuals. E.g. a person who was kidnapped during a crime and later abandoned can be vulnerable to traffickers who might present themselves as someone who can assist them.
- People living in war zone regions of the world. In the report, Trafficking in persons in the context of armed conflict by The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) it is stated: A combination of different elements characterising armed conflicts increases the risks of trafficking. Armed conflicts amplify the social and economic vulnerabilities of the people affected. In addition, the erosion of the rule of law, which safeguards and protects individuals in peace time, is one common consequence of armed conflict. The breakdown of state institutions and resulting impunity contribute to generating an environment where trafficking in persons can thrive.
- During high-profile events, e.g. World Cup. With increased demand for manual labour, prostitution and other services around major sporting events, an increase in human trafficking have been reported in the past.
What can you do?
Stay informed
Organisations like the International Justice Mission (IJM) and The A21 Campaign regularly provide information on current court cases, rescue missions and how justice is restored to the oppressed.
For the latest reports on Crime, including Human trafficking, visit the website of The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Keep the hotline to report any human trafficking related incident stored on your mobile device, e.g. South Africa: +27 800 222 777
Watch and pray for your children
What can you do and pray to prevent your children from becoming victims of human trafficking?
Technology
Traffickers are sophisticated in their use of technology to recruit, manipulate and lure innocent people into vulnerable and dangerous situations. Be aware of your children’s access to the Internet. Implement safety measures like firewalls and internet security, and instil family values concerning screen time.
Stranger danger
Talk to children about their interactions with strangers (online and in person). Teach younger children not to consume anything unless they have received consent from their parents.
Teenagers need to know that parents are approachable to assist them even if they make a mistake. Create a code with an emoji that means ‘I feel uneasy at the social gathering, please come fetch me.’
As parents, pray for your children regarding the following:
- Godly friendships. Continuous prayer regarding their friends.
- Identity in Christ. Recognise rebellion or when your child is going through a difficult teenage phase where they have a strong desire to ‘belong’? Address the spirit of rebellion in prayer by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray about their identity in Christ.
- Be aware of the dangers of trafficking, but do not allow fear to control you. Trust God to protect your child when they are at school or away from home.
- Spirit-led prayers. Allow the Holy Spirit to ‘interrupt’ you during your daily activities to stand in the gap for children (not just your own).
Watch and pray for your community
Though there are hotspots for human trafficking in many countries, anyone can fall prey to abduction at any time. Keep a watchful eye (physically and spiritually) on any suspicious movements/activities in your neighbourhood or city. Be aware of new entrants, unfamiliar vehicles, unfamiliar men and women in the parks in your area, etc.
- Daily pray for the safety of your children and others in your neighbourhood.
- Prayerwalk your neighbourhood regularly with a prayer partner or a prayer group.
- Pray with others concerning trafficking ‘hot spots’ in your city or community.
- Ask God to encourage parents residing in trafficking ‘hot spots’ to act responsibly, and resist temptations like substance abuse. Being intoxicated as a result of substance abuse can cause a parent to be unaware of their children’s whereabouts, contributing to their vulnerability to people of evil intent.
Search parties and prayer groups
When it is realised someone has gone missing, social media is one way of creating instant awareness and encouraging people to be on the lookout for them or their abductors.
Another way to help find missing persons quickly, is to start a prayer group on WhatsApp that posts prayer alerts for missing people in your community, whether they are runaways or have fallen prey to abduction. In both cases, it is important to remember the vulnerability of a person who is not in the safety of their home. Also, consider starting a volunteer search party that is available on short notice.
What can you pray for?
Following are some prayer guidelines with Scripture references for focused prayer around the issue of human trafficking. Consider using these portions of Scripture during your personal prayer time and meetings. Also take special effort to make people in your congregation aware of the realities of human trafficking and how to respond to and pray about it.
Against the evil work of human trafficking – Psalm 10
LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more. (Psalm 10:17-18).
Assurance that this work of darkness will not prevail – Psalm 37
Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. (Psalm 37:1-3).
Wisdom for organisations advocating against modern-day slavery – James 3:13-18
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17).
Vulnerable children – Lamentations 2:19
“Arise, cry out in the night, At the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him For the life of your young children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.” (Lamentations 2:19).
Protection for the oppressed – Psalm 91
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:2).
Redemption for recovered victims – Isaiah 61
“To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3).
Industries of human trafficking to be eradicated – Matthew 6:9-15
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:12-13).
Declare Jesus as the King of justice – Psalm 72
He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, and will break in pieces the oppressor. (Psalm 72:4).
Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all… (Galatians 6:9-10).
