By Elizabeth Gilreath, Contributing Writer
Women’s History Month, as the History channel states, acknowledges the “often-overlooked contributions of women to United States history.” During this month we remember the powerful influences of women on important movements throughout history. Women bravely fought for an end to slavery, the right to vote, and the Civil Rights Movement to name a few important contributions. These women knew the value of their contributions and fought for others to see and recognize it. They acknowledged the freedom they all deserved and the dignity with which they should all be treated. Women and girls have never been and never will be commodities or products to be sold and used. This Women’s History Month let’s advocate for the freedom of the women who are suffering in human trafficking. Let’s care about the plight of all women, even those we do not personally know.
Although human trafficking can affect any person regardless of gender or age, according to a United Nations report, women and children make up approximately 71% of all human trafficking victims. There are several pathways that can lead to a woman being trafficked. Some young girls are sold by their own families. Some women find themselves being trafficked by their own significant others. Others are desperate for escape or transport out of their home country and are taken advantage of while in this vulnerable situation. Women and girls can be trafficked for sex or work. Sadly, the American Psychological Association tells us that “Trafficked women and girls encounter high rates of physical and sexual violence, including homicide and torture, psychological abuse, horrific work and living conditions, and extreme deprivation while in transit.”
Unfortunately, the hardships faced by these survivors may not end as soon as a person is removed from a trafficking situation. There are many challenges for survivors even after they are rescued. This is because there are psychological impacts associated with trafficking. Even after someone is rescued, they may still experience Stockholm syndrome. This can result in survivors returning to their abusers, even after they’re rescued. In addition, they may be conditioned to believe that they need their trafficker. Other survivors may be treated as criminals and punished rather than receive support and resources for change and healing. The American Psychological Association recommends the use of Safe Harbor legislation to “provide provisions that conceptualize trafficked persons involved in illegal activities as victims rather than criminals, and support funding for legal protection and psychosocial safeguards for victims.”
What can you do to help solve this problem? Listen to the stories of the women in your life, be aware of their life situations, learn how to notice the signs of trafficking, advocate for Safe Harbor legislation, and do something. Treat women with respect everyday not just during Women’s History Month. The way we talk about women matters. How we treat our daughters, nieces, and cousins matters. The little ones are watching how we treat their mothers, older sisters, grandmothers and aunts. The way you speak about women on a regular basis may affect how comfortable someone feels sharing their experience with you. If you are kind, respectful, and understanding of women, someone may feel safe sharing their story of past trafficking or current trafficking with you. A Chicago Tribune article on what to say when someone shares a sexual assault story with you suggests being prepared to listen, and letting someone share at their own pace, rather than asking them numerous questions right away. Human trafficking is going on whether or not we notice it in our everyday lives. Let’s see the women and men in our lives as people uniquely created in the image of God and fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who loves them. We are responsible to God for how we treat each other. Let’s treat each other with respect, acknowledging the worth that our God has created us with. Let’s love. Let’s show compassion. Let’s fight for justice.
You can make a difference in your community. We invite you to join One Bread Foundation in our fight to abolish child sex trafficking. One way you can help is through your regular online shopping. One Bread Foundation is a charity affiliate of Amazon, Goodshop, Groupon and eBay. Visit onebread.org/shop-now to learn more.