In 2009 I first learned of the global tragedy of human trafficking through a film, and it broke my heart. The realization that such atrocities were occurring in the world today was almost inconceivable. At that time, I was a mom of two young kids, and watching the documentary “Call + Response” filled me with anger, grief, and a sense of helplessness in my role of “just a mom.” This film shed light on the global and national landscape of human trafficking through the interview of national leaders actively working to combat the problem. Among those interviewed were prominent figures such as Madeleine Albright, who served as Secretary State, and Congressman Chris Smith (R. NJ) who introduced the Trafficking Victims Protection Act – the first legislation in the United States specifically addressing human trafficking in -1999. The act was later passed into law under the Clinton Administration in 2000 and gained immense bipartisan support. Simultaneously, the Palermo Protocol, an international piece of legislation signed by the United Nations, was also enacted. Since then, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act has been expanded with bipartisan support under every presidency. Over the last 20 years, this issue has transcended political divisions, fostering partnership and agreement among political leaders.
“Call + Response” introduced me to non-profit leaders who were actively responding to this crisis by providing restoration, care, rescue, and victim rights education. Among these leaders were Gary Haugen from International Justice Mission and Kevin Bales with Free the Slaves, who wrote some of the earliest books addressing contemporary slavery and trafficking. The film also introduced me to journalist Nicolas Kristof and activist/actress Ashley Judd who had been raising awareness about this humanitarian crisis and trying to educate their readers and followers.
One of the significant realization from “Call + Response” was that human trafficking encompassed not only the sex trafficking of young girls in Southeast Asian countries but also the enslavement of children involved in rug-making in parts of India, cocoa harvesting in Ivory Coast, kidnapping of child soldiers to fight in militias, and exploitation in various industries across towns and cities in the US, including massage parlors, strip clubs, pornography, restaurants, hotels, construction sites.
Between expert interviews from experts and occasional footage of rescues, the film transitioned to a song performed by a musician or band. These songs were either directly related to the information presented or expressed the emotions evoked by the preceding content. I appreciated these musical interludes as they provided a space for me to gather my emotions and process what I had just learned.
A creative thread woven throughout the film highlighted the connection between contemporary slavery and this historical slavery in our nation’s past. The title “Call and Response” refers to a style of music sung by slaves working in the fields, which would eventually influence various genres of American music, including soul, gospel, blues, rock and roll, funk, pop, and hip hop. This connection of historical slavery, intertwined with music, deeply moved my mind and my soul, compelling me to engage with the issue instead of looking away.
The film did not depict a simplistic narrative of good versus evil, but rather aimed to educate viewers about the complexity and magnitude of the problem. The film did not offer a single heroic figure who swoops in to save the day. The film was not trying to raise money for anyone or any organization. Instead, it left the audience with a thought-provoking question: “What will your response be?”
This film wrecked me. This film haunted me. Many nights, I found myself praying to God, seeking guidance on how to address this burden. Many mornings, I walked along the trail, frustrated with my perceived limitations as “just a mom.” I wondered if I should have pursued a legal career to prosecute perpetrators or become a social worker to care for survivors.
In the midst of my heartbreak, I resolved to learn as much as I could about this issue. I hoped that by delving deep into its complexities, I would either discover that it was an insurmountable problem or find a way to contribute meaningfully. Consequently, I immersed myself in extensive reading and subscribed to every anti-trafficking newsletter I came across during my research.
The more I learned, the more I realized that while the problem was indeed intricate, certain aspects were surprisingly straightforward. Additionally, I recognized that I, too, played a role in perpetuating the issue due to my lack of awareness and concern about the origin and production methods behind the goods and services I consumed. Each time I purchased a cheap piece of chocolate from a major company, I unwittingly contributed to the enslavement of children in the Ivory Coast. Neglecting to listen to the stories of immigrants could lead me to overlook crucial details, such as cases of trafficking after entering the country legally. I began to understand that changes in a child’s behavior might indicate underlying issues making them vulnerable to trafficking.
I felt compelled to share what I had learned with the people around me. No surprise, not everyone was receptive. Some dismissed my new insights as emotional or refused to believe the harsh realities I presented. Some individuals simply did not want to hear any bad or sad news. However, there were those who wanted to learn more and asked, “Now what shall we do about it?” For over five years, a group of friends and I wrestled with this question, seeking our own response. We adjusted our own purchasing habits, organized events at our own expense to educate our local community, invited experts, law enforcement, anti-trafficking leaders, and survivors to teach and train. We introduced people to products made by survivors or in places where workers were ensured fair wages and protected from exploitation.
Since 2009, my response to what I learned from “Call + Response” has been centered around education and advocacy to the best of my abilities and within the constraints of my available free time. If you have recently experienced heartbreak over the issue of human trafficking, I encourage you to find your personal response and offer some tips to guide you.
- Don’t merely react; respond thoughtfully. Reacting impulsively is not sustainable and if you genuinely want to end this evil, a measured response will have a more lasting impact. Finding your response will help move you beyond anger and sadness.
- Educate yourself about the problem. Education is the key to dispelling misinformation. For instance, did you know more people are trafficked for labor than for sex?
- Listen to survivors. Nobody understands the problem better than those who have survived it. While not all survivors may be willing to discuss their trauma, there are many who have become excellent educators on what is needed to better combat human trafficking and how the general public can provide support without causing harm.
- Do no harm. This should be the baseline for any honest and reputable non-profit organization working on any global or local issue.
- Foster collaboration. Every organization I have supported, whether financially, volunteering, or advocacy, has engaged in partnerships with other organizations. This cooperation is essential to effect meaningful change in the fight against trafficking. True collaboration involves working together on specific tasks, such as one organization focusing on job training for survivors while another addresses mental health support, or partnering with legal professionals. Another example might be one organization may train law enforcement while other works with juvenile courts or foster youth.
- Evaluate your purchasing choices and consider making changes that can help end trafficking. Human trafficking is a supply and demand issue. As consumers, we have the power to demand ethical practices. This is particularly important in the United States, where one of the greatest challenges lies.
- If you are already involved in volunteering or supporting organizations that address homeless prevention, poverty alleviation, after school programs for kids, adoption agencies, foster care, refugees, immigration, widows, divorce, or those who are incarcerated, then don’t change a thing. Continue this essential work! You are already contributing significantly to trafficking prevention.
Finally, I have compiled some resources that could serve as a starting point for your journey to finding your own response.
- Bury the Chains: Adam Hochschild: 9781447211365: Amazon.com: Books
- King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa: Hochschild, Adam: 9780358212508: Amazon.com
- “The Slave Next Door” by Kevin Bales and Ron Soodalter The Slave Next Door: Human Trafficking and Slavery in America Today
- “Disposable People” by Kevin Bales Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy: Bales, Kevin: 9780520272910: Amazon.com
- “Ending Slavery” by Kevin Bales Ending Slavery: How We Free Today’s Slaves: Bales, Kevin
- Good News About Injustice, Updated 10th Anniversary Edition: A Witness of Courage in a Hurting World: Haugen, Gary A.: 9780830837106: Amazon.com
- “Girls Like Us” by Rachel Lloyd Girls Like Us: Fighting for a World Where Girls Are Not for Sale: A Memoir: 9780061582066: Lloyd, Rachel
- “Walking Prey” by Holly Austin Smith Walking Prey: How America’s Youth Are Vulnerable to Sex Slavery – Kindle edition by Smith, Holly Austin. Politics & Social Sciences Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
- “A Crime So Monstrous” by E. Benjamin Skinner A Crime So Monstrous: Face-to-Face with Modern-Day Slavery: Skinner, E. Benjamin: 9780743290081
- The Johns: Sex for Sale and the Men Who Buy It: Malarek, Victor: 9781611450125
- “Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery” by Siddharth Kara Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery: Kara, Siddharth: 9780231139618: Amazon.com
- “Scars and Stilettos” by Harmony Dust Scars and Stilettos: The Transformation of an Exotic Dancer: Dust, Harmony: 9780825463099
- “Hidden Girl: The True Story of a Modern Child Slave” by Shyima Hall Amazon.com: Hidden Girl: The True Story of a Modern-Day Child Slave
- “Refuse To Do Nothing” by Shayne Moore and Kimberly McOwen Yim Refuse to Do Nothing: Finding Your Power to Abolish Modern-Day Slavery
- “Ending Human Trafficking” by Dr. Sandie Morgan, Shayne Moore, and Kimberly McOwen Yim Ending Human Trafficking: A Handbook of Strategies for the Church Today
If you prefer podcasts, the “Ending Human Trafficking” podcast by Dr. Sandie Morgan is an excellent resource. It not only provides more about human trafficking but also highlights experts in the field and the best practices for ending this crime. https://endinghumantrafficking.org/
For those interested in making financial contributions, here are some anti-trafficking organizations I have supported financially and through advocacy.
- The Global Center for Women and Justice – https://www.gcwj.org/
- The Bay Area Anti Trafficking Coalition – https://baatc.org/
- The I-5 Freedom Network – https://www.i5freedomnetwork.org/
- International Sanctuary – https://www.internationalsanctuary.com/
- Bloom Asia – https://www.bloomasia.org/
- Nomi Network – https://nominetwork.org/
- Polaris – https://polarisproject.org/
- IJM – https://www.ijm.org/
- Free The Slaves – https://freetheslaves.net/