While Women Weep
The Salvation Army Combats Human Trafficking
"The Salvation Army firmly believes that the abuse and exploitation of human beings through any form of human trafficking is an offense against humankind and against God."
Monday, January 11, 2010 was Human Trafficking Awareness Day. The Salvation Army is committed to fighting and ending Human Trafficking in all of it's forms. Recently the leadership of the global Salvation Army established the International Social Justice Commission, based in New York City. The commission has tasked with raising awareness, engaging in dialogue, fund-raising, protecting and advocating for victims, educating the general public, and focused prayer.
"While women weep as they do now, I'll fight"
North Carolina ranks as the 8th most likely state in which human trafficking occurs. The Salvation Army has been a pioneer in fighting against human and sexual trafficking, beginning with rigorous opposition to British laws that were grossly unfair to women.
Today, The Army has taken a leadership role on a global level as it relates to the fight against trafficking. In addition to working with other faith-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to pass legislation actively protecting victims and assuming leadership of the Initiative Against Sexual Trafficking, the Army works in very practical ways with women involved in commercial sex in places like India, Tanzania, Switzerland, Australia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Canada, Bangladesh, and Ghana.
Join us this week in fighting against human trafficking. Pray for the victims of human and sexual trafficking and for the work of The Salvation Army and others around the world. And contact us to find out other ways that you can get involved.
While men and children weep...
Females represent the majority of those trafficked. However, The Salvation Army is also shining a light on other victims of human trafficking. Young men and boys are trafficked and brainwashed as soldiers, fighting the battles of evil regimes. Often they are given food and shelter before being made pawns in battles in which they do not want to fight.
The Salvation Army USA produced the video below in an effort to raise awareness of this aspect of human trafficking:
Need Assistance?
If you are in need of assistance, please contact your local Salvation Army office.
Facts
- Estimates are that between 600k and 2 million people are trafficked annually
- Over 50% are minors
- About 70% are exploited sexually
Resources
There are several resources below where you can find additional information about this issue: