Do your part to stop human trafficking!

• Imposing of debt

• Fraudulent employment opportunities

• False promises of love or a better life

• Psychological coercion

• Violence or threats of violence

The crime of human trafficking hinges on the exploitation of another person. People often falsely believe “human trafficking” implies victims must be moved from one place to another to be a victim. Human trafficking does not require transportation to be considered a crime. It is a crime that can be committed against an individual who has never left their hometown.

You can play a role in ending human trafficking by learning critical indicators of the crime, raising awareness of human trafficking within your community or industry, and reporting suspected trafficking incidents.

“Trafficking in persons,” “human trafficking,” and “modern slavery” are umbrella terms – often used interchangeably – to refer to a crime whereby traffickers exploit and profit at the expense of adults or children by compelling them to perform labor or engage in commercial sex. Forced labor and sex trafficking are the primary slavery areas in most places.

Sometimes we moan, sigh, and maybe even pray about the terrible situation of human trafficking. What would you do if it were your daughter, sister, or mother? Or your son, or brother, or friend?

Human trafficking was highlighted in the United States and some other countries in January. But each of us must continue to be diligent in stopping modern-day slavery! It was estimated that 49.6 million people were in “modern slavery” at any given time in 2021. This figure includes both the estimate for forced labor and an estimate for forced marriage. [The latest statistics available were for 2021.]

As you travel, shop and go about your daily life, remember what you would want others to do if you were being held against your will.

• Human traffickers use various forms of force, fraud, and coercion to control and exploit victims including:

More than 175 nations have ratified or acceded to the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (the UN TIP Protocol), which defines trafficking in persons and contains obligations to prevent and combat the crime. Trafficking can be described using a three-element framework focused on the trafficker’s 1) acts; 2) means; and 3) purpose. All three elements are essential to form a human trafficking violation.

All year, everywhere you go, observe what is happening around you. Please love your neighbor as yourself, and repost any suspected abuse. It is not your job to be certain that a crime is being committed. You are reporting it for someone else to do the checking and make the determination.

Submitted by Jackie R. Bolden, WMC Headquarters

Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) Interim National Chair Rev Mark Kickett and Uniting Church in Australia President Rev Sharon Hollis encourage UCA members to mark 26 January with respect in a shared Survival Day video message, urging Australians to listen to the wisdom and voices of First Peoples in their struggle for justice and healing.

“This day marks the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, the First Peoples of this ancient land. We’ve been here for millennia. We are people with a long history, rich culture and deep spirituality. We have a wisdom and a story to share. And so today, we celebrate our resilience,” says Rev Kickett, a proud Noongar man.

Rev Hollis says that as Second Peoples in the Uniting Church, we affirm the sovereignty of First Peoples and honor their custodianship of the land. She encourages all Australians to commit to listening to the truth of this land, particularly as we move towards a referendum on a First Peoples Voice.

“We pray that this year might be a moment of reckoning in our nation, when we face the truth of the past and the present of our nation in ways that promote healing and justice.” https://uniting.church/survival-day-message-2023/

“We invite you not just to vote yes, but to be part of the campaign, to have conversations with others in ways that might open the possibility of a new story for our nation,” says Rev Hollis.

We encourage you to watch and share this message as we stand with First Peoples on this day.