Knowledge and Responsibility

Today, it is understood that wherever you live, work, and play exploitation is a problem. The defilement of people endures internationally but seems to take on a more pervasive element in the Global South. However, trafficking is more than a problem, it is a human rights violation of the highest order. Trafficking robs a person of their freedom, dignity, self-worth, health, and views them as a commodity to be sold rather than a human being to be valued and celebrated.

Statistics, dollar amounts, and percentages that relate to the business of slavery do not adequately convey toll exploitation exacts on its victims. Bar and graphs do not tell the story, but it is only when you look into the eyes of a young lady who has just been rescued and see the despair, but also the glimmer of hope in her eyes. The number of children at risk of exploitation is inconceivable but looking into the face of an innocent child brings into clear focus the need to end this nightmare. The question persists, how can we be aware of this human rights violation and not respond in a meaningful fashion?

To be aware of these human rights violations and not respond in a meaningful fashion is counterproductive to the advancement of humanity. The question was asked long ago, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” The answer to that question is yes on two counts. One, we are to be our brother’s keeper by not committing acts of violence against another. Also, we are to exhibit compassion to others. The keeping of our brother is found in ensuring dignity and wholeness is kept. However, we consistently observe violent acts against others and a pervasive lack of compassion. Therefore, to be keepers, we do no harm, but we go beyond that concept of doing no harm to offering compassion.

One reason I offer as a possibility for knowing but not responding is the belief that the problem does not affect society. However, trafficking cuts to the core of a community as children who are trafficked are affected psychologically and physically for the remainder of their lives. Often, this perpetuates the cycle of violence to the next generation. Additionally, men who find themselves labor trafficked are paid very little, if anything at all, which drives poverty, drug use, alcoholism, and erodes the fabric of the family. To say trafficking does not affect the greater society is demonstrating their ignorance of the facts.

A second possibility for knowing but not responding is believing that nothing meaningful can be accomplished. Trafficking is hidden in front of us daily. True numbers of trafficking statistics are difficult to know because of the secrecy of the problem. One individual, agency, or country cannot combat trafficking with success. However, one person can do something. If each person can reach one person who has been trafficked, is at risk of being trafficked, or is a trafficker, we can eradicate the problem in a generation. For some, trafficking seems to be too big of a crisis to make a difference. So, the only way to address this problem is for everyone to do their part and take one bite at a time. The problem remains, too many are not willing to take their bite.

A third reason for knowing but not acting is allowing the daily pressures of our own lives to override the despair of others.  Everyone has their own story, struggle, pressures, worries, and schedules. However, if we work from the philosophy that we are our brother’s keeper, then our story begins to intersect with another’s story and we are a step toward abolition.

I lead an NGO in the Global South that addresses the prevention aspect of the trafficking of minors. Men, predominately, visit my area regularly to buy other men, women, boys, and girls. For many who have visited me here from the West, they see the problem and want to be involved. They invest financially or partner in some other way. However, the majority simply visit for a day or so and exit the country while never giving the plight of the children another thought. As stated, they either believe this is an isolated problem with no consequences to the larger society, they are apathetic to the problem, overwhelmed by the issue, or they are caught up in their world of worries and pressures.

The problem of trafficking will not go away without direct and ongoing intervention from prevention to aftercare. Therefore, those who are currently responding to the problem must continue to research, speak, and intervene to see that all humans are free to live their lives.