Not for Sale

1. Modern slavery thrives in the shadows of society

Trafficking thrives in the shadows. And it can be easy to dismiss it as something that happens to someone else, somewhere else. But that is not the case. Trafficking is a crime that involves every nation on earth, and that includes our own.

Global prevalence: More than 30 million slaves exist in our world today, trapped in various forms of exploitation including forced labor, sex trafficking, and domestic servitude. This modern slave trade operates in every country, often hidden from public view.

Economic impact: The commerce in human beings rivals drug trafficking and illegal arms trade as the top criminal activity globally. Forced labor victims have been denied over $20 billion in earned wages, not including sex trafficking victims.

Industries affected:

• Prostitution and sex services (46%)
• Domestic service (27%)
• Agriculture (10%)
• Sweatshop/factory work (5%)
• Restaurant and hotel work (4%)

2. Child soldiers in Uganda: A forgotten war

What differentiates us from the Netherlands and Germany . . . is that we link the 'slave trade' with prostitution and pornography.

The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA): For over two decades, this rebel group has been abducting children in northern Uganda, forcing them to serve as soldiers, sex slaves, and porters. An estimated 66,000 children have been taken captive.

Impact on children: Child soldiers are forced to commit atrocities, including killing their own family members. Girls are often used as sex slaves for senior commanders. The psychological trauma inflicted on these children is immense and long-lasting.

Rehabilitation efforts: Organizations like World Vision operate transitional camps for freed slaves, providing medical care, counseling, and vocational training. Reintegrating former child soldiers into their communities remains a significant challenge.

3. Sex trafficking in Europe: A complex web of exploitation

The criminals exploiting children in Peru do not only hang out in dark alleys. They also sit comfortably behind desks in the halls of power.

The Balkan Trail: Thousands of young girls from Eastern Europe are trafficked along this route to brothels worldwide. Victims typically originate from former Soviet bloc countries and are transported through multiple countries before reaching their final destination.

Organized crime: The Russian Mafia plays a significant role in sex trafficking in Eastern Europe, forming alliances with other criminal organizations to facilitate the movement of victims across borders.

Legal approaches: Countries have adopted different strategies to combat sex trafficking:

• Sweden: Prosecutes buyers of sex while treating women as victims
• Netherlands and Germany: Legalized prostitution, but face challenges with underground sex trade
• United States: Criminalizes prostitution in most states, focuses on supply side

4. Domestic servitude in the US: Hidden in plain sight

Look beneath the surface. People who are trafficked usually are hidden, so pay attention to signs that seem out of the ordinary.

Scope of the problem: Well over 100,000 people live enslaved in the United States, with as many as 17,000 new victims trafficked across borders each year. Victims come from at least 35 countries, with China, Mexico, and Vietnam being the most common origins.

Forms of servitude:

• Forced labor in agriculture, factories, and restaurants
• Domestic workers trapped in wealthy households
• Sex trafficking in massage parlors and strip clubs

Challenges in detection: Slavery often goes unnoticed in unregulated work environments or where cheap labor is the norm. Many victims are afraid to come forward due to threats of deportation or harm to their families.

5. Poverty and globalization fuel human trafficking

Poverty kills, too!

Economic drivers: Widespread poverty and social inequality ensure a deep pool of potential recruits for traffickers. Desperate families may sell their children or fall for scams promising lucrative jobs abroad.

Globalization's impact:

• Ease of conducting business across borders
• Relaxed banking laws
• Virtual enterprises operating everywhere and nowhere

Shifting recruitment zones: Traffickers move opportunistically to exploit vulnerable populations. Prime recruitment areas have shifted from Southeast Asia in the 1970s to Africa, Latin America, and now Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

6. Abolitionists employ diverse strategies to combat slavery

If I were trapped in a brothel, what would I want? I would want someone to get me out! If I were enslaved in a brick factory, I would want someone to end my bondage! If I were being trafficked, I would want to be rescued. That's our work: to love our neighbors and set them free.

Rescue operations: Some abolitionists, like Padre Cesare Lodeserto in Italy, actively rescue trafficking victims and provide them with shelter and support.

Legal advocacy: Organizations like International Justice Mission use the public justice system to free slaves and prosecute traffickers.

Prevention: Programs in source countries aim to educate vulnerable populations about the risks of trafficking and provide economic alternatives.

Aftercare: Survivors need comprehensive support, including:

• Safe housing
• Medical care
• Psychological counseling
• Legal assistance
• Job training and education

7. Community action and awareness are crucial to ending slavery

Human trafficking can work only if the victims remain invisible to the public eye. We have to remove the veil of ignorance.

Training programs: Organizations like CAST (Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking) train law enforcement, social workers, and community members to recognize signs of trafficking.

Community partnerships: Effective anti-trafficking efforts require collaboration between:

• Law enforcement
• Social service agencies
• Healthcare providers
• Community organizations
• Concerned citizens

Public awareness: Educating the general public about the realities of modern slavery helps identify victims and reduce demand for services provided by trafficked individuals.

8. Legal frameworks and international cooperation are essential

Prevention. Yes, that's a major goal of our operations in eastern Europe. But before I can persuade a girl to stay close to home—or, in the case of a girl already in the sex trade, to leave her bondage—I have to appreciate the danger of her family situation.

Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA): This U.S. law, passed in 2000, provides tools to prosecute traffickers and protect victims, including the creation of T visas for trafficking survivors.

International efforts:

• UN Palermo Protocol
• U.S. State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report
• European Union initiatives

Challenges: Despite legal advancements, enforcement remains inconsistent, and many countries lack the resources or political will to effectively combat trafficking.

9. Survivors' stories highlight the human cost of trafficking

Finally, someone believes my story.

Psychological impact: Survivors often struggle with trauma, shame, and difficulty reintegrating into society. Many face ongoing threats from their traffickers.

Resilience: Despite the horrors they've endured, many survivors become powerful advocates in the fight against slavery, sharing their stories to raise awareness and inspire action.

Ongoing needs: Survivors require long-term support to rebuild their lives, including:

• Continued counseling
• Education and job training
• Safe housing
• Legal assistance
• Community acceptance

10. Economic alternatives and education help prevent exploitation

Work is both therapy and empowerment for former sex slaves.

Microenterprise initiatives: Providing small loans and business training to vulnerable populations can reduce their susceptibility to trafficking.

Education programs: Keeping children in school and providing vocational training for young adults offers alternatives to risky migration.

Awareness campaigns: Educating communities about the tactics used by traffickers helps potential victims recognize and avoid dangerous situations.

Job creation: Encouraging ethical businesses to invest in high-risk areas can provide legitimate employment opportunities.

11. Everyone can contribute to the abolitionist movement

I believe in the power of individuals to save the world. Social movements take root and blossom when enough individuals take personal action.

Ways to get involved:

• Educate yourself and others about modern slavery
• Support anti-trafficking organizations through donations or volunteering
• Advocate for stronger anti-trafficking laws and policies
• Be a conscious consumer, avoiding products made with slave labor
• Report suspicious activity to authorities or hotlines

Personal commitment: Taking action against slavery doesn't require special skills or resources. Ordinary individuals, using their unique talents and positions, can make a significant impact in the fight against human trafficking.

Building a movement: By joining together in a new "Underground Railroad," abolitionists can create a powerful force to end slavery in our time.

Last updated: January 25, 2025