Today (30 July) is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and this year’s theme focuses on the role of technology as a tool that can both enable and impede human trafficking.
With the global expansion in the use of technology – intensified by COVID-19 and the shift of our everyday life to online platforms – this crime has conquered cyber space.
Millions of people globally are suffering because of this serious crime, and it is those most marginalized who are most affected. Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking and in 2018 about 50,000 human trafficking victims were detected and reported by 148 countries.
50% of detected victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation, 38 per cent were exploited for forced labour and female victims continue to be the primary targets; Women making up 46% and girls 19% of all victims trafficked.
You can read more in the 2020 UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons.
The internet and digital platforms offer traffickers numerous tools to recruit, exploit, and control victims; organize their transport and accommodation; advertise victims and reach out to potential clients; communicate among perpetrators; and hide criminal proceeds – and all that with greater speed, cost-effectiveness and anonymity.
However, in the use of technology also lies great opportunity. Future success in eradicating human trafficking will depend on how law enforcement, the criminal justice systems and others can leverage technology in their responses, including by aiding investigations to shed light on the modus operandi of trafficking networks; enhancing prosecutions through digital evidence to alleviate the situation of victims in criminal proceedings; and providing support services to survivors.
Prevention and awareness-raising activities on the safe use of the internet and social media could also help mitigate the risk of people falling victim to trafficking online. Cooperation with the private sector is important to harness innovation and expertise for the development of sustainable, technology-based solutions to support the prevention and combating of human trafficking.
The Salvation Army has a long history of confronting modern slavery and human trafficking and is deeply committed to fighting and responding to it and today our strategic response can be summarised in eight points: prayer, prevention, participation, protection, prosecution, partnership, policy and proof.
In 1885 England Bramwell Booth partnered with journalist W.T. Stead and survivor of sexual exploitation Rebecca Jarrett went undercover to expose London’s dark market of children being forced into sex exploitation. This pioneering campaign led to the raising of the age of sexual consent from 13 to 16 years.
In 1900 Japan a team of Salvationists strategically marched through a district notorious for sexual exploitation, sharing literature that offered liberation to those in captivity. Within a year, more than 12,000 girls were freed from slavery in Japan.
In 1934 Brazil a home was set up for those who had been exploited and a campaign was launched for better legislation against slavery.
In 1997 Bangladesh a Salvation Army worker started pastoral care visits at a brothel in Old Dhaka. The work expanded and seminars were provided on HIV/Aids and human trafficking prevention. Eventually, some of those who trained in this programme found jobs through the social enterprise Sally Ann, now known as Others.
While I was in Nepal after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake assisting with the International Emergency Services recovery efforts, I had the privilege of visiting The Salvation Army-operated Sisters Café. This café is giving young women vulnerable to human trafficking, the opportunity to gain work experience and new skills so that they can establish a future for themselves.
Not only do most women find safe and stable post-apprenticeship employment, but the café itself is generating an income, which is then invested back into the business.
You can read the annual report ‘Everyone, Everywhere’, to learn more about The Salvation Army’s continued modern slavery and human trafficking response.
The report celebrates and acknowledges many people around the world who are making a difference, addressing modern slavery and human trafficking, and helping make justice, freedom and shalom a reality to those we have the honour of journeying with.
Later this year on Sunday 25 September 2022, The Salvation Army, partners and friends worldwide corporately cry out for justice and freedom, publicly declaring our collective commitment to helping victims move beyond the dark and into a space of visibility and light.
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Today (Sunday 25 September) is an Annual Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking.
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