I’ve been putting this blog together for a while now, but it wasn’t easy. It’s not pretty, happy, or joyful. It’s heartbreaking, uncomfortable, and may leave you a little frustrated; at least I hope it does.
I ask that while you read this, you think about the faces, names, and stories that go along with each statistic, because they are more than a number.
SLAVERY…
Usually the first thing that comes to mind when this word is brought up is Civil War era slavery. We remember the thousands of African Americans forced to work for rich white families. We think about how unjust and wrong it was.
But did you know that human trafficking is modern day slavery and that there are currently 27 million people enslaved all over the world today? That means that there are more slaves today than there has ever been in the course of history. And 50% of those 27 million, are children under the age of 16 and the average age a teenager enters the sex trade is 12-14 years old in the United States.
There are five forms of human trafficking…
Sex-trafficking
Forced labor
Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC)
Trafficking for tissues, organs, and cells
Child soldiers
In the 1800’s, slaves were bought as an investment for years afterwards. The average cost of a slave was $40,000 in 1850. Today, a slave costs an average of $90. There are millions of people in the United States who are potential slaves due to economical and social vulnerability. An article from freetheslaves.net says:
“Since they are so cheap, slaves are no longer a major investment worth maintaining. If slaves get sick, are injured, outlive their usefulness, or become troublesome to the slaveholder, they are dumped or killed.”
(I know it’s a lot to take in at once. I kind of just dumped all the facts on you so suddenly, but I really didn’t know how else to do it)
“You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.” – William Wilberforce
All of these facts are sickening and uncomfortable, but I challenge you not to be afraid to talk about it, and to bring awareness, because it’s what we need so desperately. Human-trafficking happens in other countries, and it happens right here in the United States. My hope is that these facts make you angry, and you have a right to be. This is injustice and it’s not okay.
There is a face to every statistic. They are not just numbers, but they are precious and unique souls created by God.
