Wednesday’s Child is full of Woe. This is the theme for Wednesdays when I bring attention to something sad or tragic. As January is Human Trafficking Awareness month, I am compelled to shine a light into the darkness here on my own platform.
Human Trafficking: “The act of recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons … by means of threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person … for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum:• the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation,
• forced labour or services,
• slavery or practices similar to slavery,
• servitude,
• or the removal of organs.”
A human trafficker generally refers to someone who exercises control, direction or influence over another person for purposes of sexual exploitation and/or labour exploitation. For profit! Big profit. Human trafficking generates billions each year internationally, second only to the illicit drug trade.
Currently, I am working on my debut novel that addresses the presence of human trafficking in a small Canadian city. Research for my book has led me down a path of education and confrontation. Education on human trafficking in Canada and around the world and the tactics of traffickers to trap women, and children into a life of slavery and degradation. I also have friends, around the world, that work in anti-human trafficking efforts and I have heard stories through them that have caused my heart to break.
My heart is continually broken when I dig deeper into the issue of human trafficking here in Canada. Too many Canadians think human trafficking is something that happens in other parts of the world. This is a misconception, it happens here, in Canada as well. In our own communities, traffickers recruit, transport and control people every day. The victims are pushed or forced into selling sex or working for slave wages. Lies and deception are the tools of the human trafficker.
“The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing.”
While the attribution of this statement is in question, the sentiments of the statement are clear.
It is up to all of us to do something about human trafficking. The first step is to be informed and educate ourselves as to what human trafficking looks like.
The British Columbia Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons has an online training course that is available for anyone to take. I have known about this course since starting the research for my novel. The tiny morsel of information I have shared in this post is just the tip of the iceberg compared to what awaits in this free online course. In the past I have looked at portions of the training as research, but I haven’t completed the course from start to end.
I am committing to rectifying that omission this month.
Will you join me in education yourself on how to identify human trafficking and learning what steps to take to make a difference?
Will you allow your heart to be broken for the women and children who are caught in the snares of human traffickers?
If you answered yes to both or either of these questions click here to start the course.
Throughout the month of January, as I work my way through this course, I will share my perceptions and how I am personally affected.
I am going to do my part, however small that part may be, first, by bringing awareness to the evil of human trafficking both here in Canada and across the world, on my blog. Second, I am determined to finish my novel, and through the vehicle of fiction help bring more exposure to this crime. I will also shine a light on some of the organizations who are standing against this crime through victim rescue and support.
I am sure as I make my way through the training, I will become aware of more ways I can take action and hopefully effect change and bring hope.
It is time to bring light to dispel the darkness where the human traffickers lurk and operate. I hope and pray, I will never allow that light to be extinguished in my heart. I pray for bravery and courage in this journey.
Will you join me in the training?
I invite you to leave a comment and open up a conversation.
Hello Kelly, This educational government site has extensive information. I was very impressed with the resource and admire you for pursuing the course. Not only will you be a well-informed citizen on this tragic subject but your research will make for a fascinating book. Best wishes with this endeavor. Elaine
Dear Elaine,
Thank you for your comment and encouragement.
Blessings
Kelly