{"id":9294,"date":"2024-01-11T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-10T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.childrescue.org.nz\/?p=9294"},"modified":"2024-01-10T08:46:50","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T19:46:50","slug":"how-to-fight-human-trafficking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.childrescue.org.nz\/blog\/how-to-fight-human-trafficking\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Fight Human Trafficking"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Child trafficking: the very idea provokes a visceral reaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/h5>\n

It is the very definition of wrong, the epitome of injustice. Once a person realises the truth of human trafficking, they normally go through a couple of phases.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first is horror.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second is an intense desire to fight this monstrous evil.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s an absolutely appropriate response, but it can feel overwhelming. In the height of the desire to fight, we might feel justified in kicking down doors and taking out bad guys (like Liam Neeson) in the pursuit of exploited children.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But that image is a fantasy created in Hollywood; in reality, <\/span>everyone<\/span><\/i> can fight human trafficking in a bigger way than most think. Aside from recognising and reporting suspected trafficking<\/a>, there are many other ways you can make a difference in the lives of trafficked children.<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, we\u2019re going to talk about a few ways that you can fight human trafficking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Educate<\/b><\/h2>\n

To fight an enemy, you must first understand them. The battle against child exploitation is no different.<\/span><\/p>\n

Know the enemy<\/span><\/h3>\n

While the average person is quick to condemn human trafficking, most people don\u2019t have an accurate understanding of the problem. They would be shocked to learn that, in many areas, <\/span>women are the primary traffickers<\/span><\/a>. Or that many <\/span>children often don\u2019t even realise they\u2019re being trafficked<\/span><\/a>. Or that sometimes, there is no outside trafficker, <\/span>just a child forced into making a terrible choice<\/span><\/a> simply to <\/span>survive<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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It\u2019s common for parents to play a role in a child being trafficked\u2014<\/span><\/i>especially online<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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There are many ways to become well-versed on child trafficking and its impact on victims, survivors and their communities. <\/span>Our blog<\/span><\/a> has a wealth of information, much of which is delivered via first-hand knowledge of exploitation from survivors or rescue agents. There are also many other organisations and references online, like the <\/span>International Labour Organization<\/span><\/a>, that can help paint a more accurate picture of what modern human trafficking looks like.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Break the taboo<\/span><\/h3>\n

Most people are uninformed about the realities of human trafficking. Those who know anything at all have a warped view based on what they\u2019ve seen in movie theatres. Once you\u2019ve learned the realities, you\u2019ll need to break the taboo of <\/span>talking<\/span><\/i> about human trafficking.<\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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It\u2019s not a fun conversation. Talking about kids trapped in sexual exploitation can be challenging for the speaker and downright sickening for the listener. But it\u2019s a <\/span>necessary<\/span><\/i> conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Opening people\u2019s eyes to the awful horrors children face inspires action. Many have accredited Great Britain\u2019s abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade to the reproduction of a single image. <\/span>A drawing of the slave ship \u201cBrooks,\u201d<\/span><\/a> which showed how many enslaved Africans could be crammed on board, produced a unified response of horror from viewers, inspiring thousands to join the anti-slavery movement.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the same way, having difficult discussions about the reality of human trafficking can elicit a <\/span>negative response<\/b> that produces <\/span>positive change<\/b>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, that\u2019s just bringing it up in family conversations. Sometimes, it\u2019s challenging churches or clubs to face the problem. And sometimes, it\u2019s organising an event with school officials and local law enforcement to educate parents about the issue. Your influence is unique, making you uniquely qualified to spread the word.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because if a single child is rescued because of your efforts, <\/span>it will all be worth it.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Advocate<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There\u2019s actually another way to open the conversation about trafficking, a way that <\/span>doesn\u2019t<\/span><\/i> make people feel overwhelmed by the darkness or magnitude of the issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of beginning with the problem, start with a solution.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Advocates are people who find unique ways to fight trafficking from wherever they are. They combine the conviction to rescue with their personal passions to make a difference in the lives of exploited children. <\/span><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Jessica,\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

Jessica, one advocate in the U.S., recently shared about Destiny Rescue\u2019s work at her church\u2019s mission conference<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n

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And supporters have gotten creative in their fundraising and advocacy methods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What started as a good-natured bet to complete a fitness challenge became something special for Liam Jackson. After hearing about Destiny Rescue (an organisation whose rescue work in Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines Child Rescue helps fund) on the radio, Liam resolved to use his fitness challenges for the cause. His most recent endeavour involved scaling a steep port mountain\u2014<\/span>50<\/span><\/i> times in a row<\/span><\/i>! Every step he took brought a suffering child <\/span>one step closer to freedom.<\/span> Currently, Liam has raised over $21,000, enough money to rescue <\/span>14<\/span><\/i> children<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Those kids are now free to return to school, pursue a career or just be home safe with their families, all because Liam decided to give his walks <\/span>purpose.<\/b><\/p>\n

That\u2019s just Liam\u2019s story. It doesn\u2019t take an endurance athlete to rescue children from human trafficking.<\/span><\/p>\n

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