Watch, Pray, Act, Give: Human Trafficking

"Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor: 
a modern-day form of slavery."

Psychology of Human Trafficking Updated from Thema Bryant-Davis on Vimeo.

Watch: I hope you take the time to watch this eye-opening video concerning human trafficking and the sex trade. Consider some of the truths shared from it below and may it challenge you to pray, act, and give. 

A dose of reality: A woman in a legal Nevada brothel said, “No one really enjoys getting sold. It's like you sign a contract to be raped.”

A different perspective: “Slave victims must be looked at as vulnerable, but that has to be separated from [viewing them as] weak and powerless. Because the problem is that even now in the modern abolitionist movement and in intervention and prevention efforts people are going in and assuming that these victims, that these [at-risk] communities … and [at-risk] children ... are somehow weak and powerless. It's that hero complex where we somehow [think we] have to go in and save them and rescue them. When in reality what we need to do is go in and empower them.”

An ounce of prevention: “Many times we think about how we can warn women and girls what to look out for. But the truth is as long as there continues to be a demand for those who are trafficked - a demand for prostitution - then this will continue to happen. So we really have to interrupt the cycle early by looking at those messages that teach boys and men that women are a commodity. That sexuality is something to purchase.”

Pray: O God, our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel when we hear of women and children deceived and transported to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor because of human greed. Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are being transgressed through threats, deception, and force. We cry out against the degrading practice of trafficking and pray for it to end.

Strengthen the fragile-spirited and broken-hearted. Make real your promises to fill these our sisters and brothers with a love that is tender and good, and send the exploiters away empty handed. Give us the wisdom and courage to stand in solidarity with them, that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all of us. Amen. (Sister Gen Cassani, School Sisters of Notre Dame)

Act: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice." Proverbs 31.8-9

Give: Your one-time gift or monthly commitment empowers us to raise awareness and instill preventive measures concerning human trafficking and the sex trade in Mexico City. Thank you!