Vulnerabilities

The term vulnerability refers to the state of being exposed to the possibility of being harmed, attacked, or exploited. Within our organization we have the mission statement, "We exist to strengthen families and eradicate the vulnerabilities that lead to human trafficking and exploitation." The singular statement drives everything we do. However, to increase our effectiveness of defending the at-risk to take a step toward the eradication of those vulnerabilities we have to develop a deep understanding of those vulnerabilities.

We have identified two major vulnerabilities. Those vulnerabilities can be shared in a singular statement, but it can take a lifetime to understand those factors and learn how to address the problem. The vulnerabilities are poverty and illiteracy. However, most who read this blog are neither living in poverty and, well you are reading this blog. Therefore, for the more 'fortunate' who are reading this text and had a decent meal today, it can be difficult to understand vulnerability in the sense we are discussing today. We have already said to be vulnerable is to exposed. Most of us are shielded from many of the adverse and dark things in this world. I was. I was until I looked eye to eye into vulnerability and witnessed the untenable position that many in the world find themselves.

Poverty. The poverty of which I write forces a parent to sell their daughter to the neighbor so dinner can be served. Poverty. The poverty of which I write asks a young daughter to move away from family in the country to find "work" in the city to provide the necessities of living to their kin. Poverty. Poverty, where the standard of living is not determined by some line the government determines, but poverty determined by how many days since a meal. The poverty of which I write is seen in communities where no electricity, no running water, and no beds exist. The bed may be a mat or a collection of newspapers strategically placed on the dirt floor to keep  heads out of the dirt or mud if it rains. Poverty, where the stench is so fierce it can take your breath away at times. This type of poverty exposes men, women, and children to traffickers and the false hope of a good job in the city. In the end, poverty is then the least of their concerns as life in the brothel leads to emotional and physical torture, scars that run deeper than hunger, a soul destroyed, and sometimes death. Poverty is a major vulnerability that leads to human trafficking and exploitation. We see it everyday and maybe understand it a little, yet poverty marches on.

Illiteracy. The inability to read and write fuels trafficking. Elementary and high school are basically free in the US. There are some costs involved, but everyone goes to school. This is not the case in much of the world. When a child does not attend school for economic or stateless issues, the problem of trafficking is exacerbated and the spiral of human degradation continues its downward trend as we marginalize the already at-risk. No school and no skills makes one subject to trafficking and a target for exploitation. Poverty and illiteracy are brothers in an unholy marriage that is destined to destroy everyone encountered.

For those of us who can read this blog with relative ease and have no worries about dinner tonight, we should be able to see the blessing of education and our position in the world. We cannot push forward with the attitude, 'well, I got mine, let them get theirs.' That statement in itself reveals ignorance toward the problem.  If we help to elevate one in society, then we are all elevated. By the same token, if we turn a blind eye to the problem of poverty and illiteracy, sooner or later we all will become at-risk as we are interconnected in various ways. Poverty and illiteracy do not exist in a vacuum, but exist because of complex systemic issues that need addressing from every level.

We have often said trafficking is hidden in plain sight. However, today, we hear more about trafficking and understand more of the risk factors and consequences of trafficking. Each year Facebook is filled with people who apply the red X on their hand and stare determined into the camera. For the most part that is it. They go back to work and are overwhelmed in their day to day life giving little thought to the plight of the impoverish and illiterate. All the the while, trafficking continues, women are exploited, boys are sold and the misery continues.

You can make a difference. Prevention starts when you see the problem and take action. As we attend to the day to day needs of families and address the problems of poverty and illiteracy, change is possible. Now, do not let this end with simple awareness. Awareness has to translate to action. That action is now up to you.