This is one of those things that is sick, disgusting, shocking and absolutely no fun to talk about. What's terrible about it is just how real it is and how many people still have no idea it's happening.
Every day across the world there are human beings who are sold and forced into labor or prostitution and forced into lives that lead them to believe they have no other choice. It might be easy to believe that this would happen in other countries, but would you believe that it's happening in the United States? I was shocked to find out that areas such as Atlanta and New Orleans have dealt heavily with the problem.
Here are a few more sobering facts:
-Human trafficking is now a leading source of profits for organised crime, together with drugs and weapons, generating an estimated 9.5 billion dollars per year.
-The overwhelming majority of those trafficked are women and children.
-Every two minutes a child, somewhere in the world, is being prepared for sexual exploitation
-The average age of a trafficked victim is 14
The fact that 'National Humantrafficking Awareness Day' has to exist is terrible in and of itself. Thankfully, this isn't something that has to always exist. There are lots of great people doing their part to create change. She Dances is an organization working to create safe houses and counseling for girls who've been sold in Honduras. NotForSale is a group working hard to get information out to people and to stop slavery. They've also provided a powerful, eye-opening resource: The Slavery Map (http://slaverymap.org) that will allow you to see just how close to home this issue is.
Christians everywhere can do something. Take a moment to pray. Regardless of where you are geographically you can pray for those who are hurting. Pray for their rescue and their healing. You can also keep learning. Look for ways you and your church can get involved to help provide rescue and healing. It's possible.
"One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock."
Psalm 27:4,5