Faith-Based Organizations Walk against Human Trafficking

Mikhail Bell
October 27, 2011

A well-known African proverb says “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” For over a decade, Americans, have been at the forefront of building partnerships internationally against human trafficking. Significantly, the 2010 U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Reportranked this nation for the first time in its international assessment.

On October 23, D.C. based non-profit organizations wrote another chapter in America’s struggle against human trafficking. The annual DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk is a volunteer-led effort to raise awareness about human trafficking, connect advocates with anti-human trafficking organizations, and allow supporters to raise money for constantly underfunded efforts at home and abroad. This year several faith-based groups were among the hodgepodge of college student and volunteers in attendance. With over 1,960 people registered to walk and over $67,000 raised, DC Stop Modern Slavery is clearly attracting attention.

The event attracted established and younger anti-trafficking organizations. Cassandra Clifford, co-founder and Executive Director of Bridge to Freedom Foundation, hailed the involvement of churches. “Faith-based groups across the board are vital to the anti-trafficking movement as they are key to promoting both awareness and actively engaging the community,” she said. Founded in 2008, Bridge to Freedom Foundation is a Virginia-based non-profit that links survivors with training and self-esteem classes.  It participated for the second year in a row.

Recently Clifford witnessed how alert churches are assisting survivors firsthand. A long-time anti-trafficking advocate contacted her about enlisting her own church community in the cause. The advocate wanted to work with potential survivors of human trafficking within her church group. Her desire became an invitation to meet a need. Soon after a woman within the congregation shared that she was a trafficking survivor and asked for assistance finding counseling. Such stories reinforce Clifford’s belief in the integral role of faith-based organizations in combating human trafficking. “I have spoken at and been contacted by many faith and community based groups and would love to speak at more.”

These connections “inspire the communities to do their own projects” and take ownership of their honorable work. “Another area that faith-based communities can do is unite together to increase their ability to serve the community,” she said.

As the rubble settled after Haiti’s devastating in January 2010, reports of children being abducted, sold, and trafficked quickly emerged. According to Holly Parker, program manager at Global Centurion, such claims persist. Global Centurion is an anti-trafficking organization that focuses on demand for commercial sex with minors. It is working with Haitian groups to identify and to protect “high risk populations” from trafficking.

Laura Lederer, its founder, is a pioneer in international human trafficking responses. Previously she served as an executive director of the cabinet level group on trafficking in persons under President George W. Bush. She also founded The Protection Project, now at Johns Hopkins University, where she has focused her recent scholarship on the connection between street gangs and human trafficking networks.

According to Global Centurion’s website, 50% of trafficked persons are minors, mostly girls.

Human connections and a deeper yearning for justice drew many walkers to the October 23 event against trafficking. John Jacks, a Christian and local photographer, was happy to take pictures at the annual gathering. As a recent convert to Christianity, the connection between his faith and his interest in alleviating human suffering was salient. He noticed spontaneous clapping and cheers from Vietnam Memorial visitors as walkers rounded the area. Jacks took special notice of Christians giving encouragement. “Everyone I talked to said they’d pray for me,” he said.

Matt Chubb, also a Christian, has “been aware of [human trafficking] since college” but saw the weekend as the perfect opportunity for becoming involved. “Everyone dreams of doing something great with this you have the opportunity,” he said.

In a September 14 address before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Ambassador Louis CdeBaca, head of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, called on the better angels of America’s nature. “Fighting slavery is more than good foreign policy. It’s part of who we are as a nation.” If the 2011 Stop Modern Slavery walk is any indication, anti-trafficking awareness and support is headed in the right direction.