The Super Bowl is one of our most recognized days here in the United States. It has the makings of a perfect celebration filled with football, food, fellowship and fun! In our preparations to create the perfect atmosphere, there’s a darker side to the day that is also planned for. There is an inevitable spike in the human trafficking industry that has both law enforcement and traffickers alike planning for the big event.
Sex trafficking is identified when someone uses force, fraud, or coercion to cause a commercial sex act with an adult or minor. This can look like anything from prostitution, pornography, or exchanging sexual services for any item of value (money, drugs, food, shelter, etc.).
The Super Bowl and sex trafficking may not have crossed your mind as something that’s connected, but the reality is, an increase in sex trafficking is expected, organized, and does occur on the heels of any major sporting event. Those unfamiliar with the sex trade may confine the crime only to places abroad like Brazil or India, but we’ve learned through the years that this crime exists and thrives on our soil.
It’s these kinds of sporting events that draw large numbers of sex buyers – and traffickers know this well. The supply for sex trafficking exists only because there is a demand for it. Human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world (next only to drug trafficking). It has the potential to rise to the top as traffickers realize the value of purchasing people over produced goods. An ounce of any drug can only be produced and sold once, but a human can be bought, sold and marketed to be used multiple times a day. This reasoning and income potential of the industry has been enough to form the most depraved business idea straight from the depths of hell.
It’s been these very encounters with such darkness that have shaken me to my core. I first learned about this issue over ten years ago while in college. The knowledge of those suffering in sex, labor, and domestic slavery was something that I couldn’t ignore. Life couldn’t go on as normal now that I knew the reality that millions face each day. After much wrestling in prayer, I came to a place where I knew I was being asked to rise and be a voice for those who had none.
As someone whose testimony has had its share of injustices, I grew up with a heart wanting to protect the innocent and vulnerable child. I had no idea that God would develop this desire to bring me to a place of passionately pursuing justice, freedom, and restoration for those enslaved.
I have this passion to fight, but let me tell you, I am the least qualified! I struggle often with my own lack – lack of knowledge, experience, and credentials. I’m painfully shy and not a gifted speaker. An introvert at heart, and one who too often questions if God has really chosen me for the task. But, I have seen the faithfulness of the Lord to simply use our willingness and obedience.
I say this for you who may read this and identify with some of your own weaknesses that have held you back from fully following the call God has placed on your life. Have you ever asked yourself, what has God burdened my heart for? There is something He will reveal that you’ll be accountable to. It’s a heavy truth, but an even greater blessing!
The God of the universe wants to use broken, flawed, inexperienced people like us to carry out His greater purposes and to reflect His Kingdom here on earth. Even with my own insecurities, as a lover of Jesus, I just can’t sit idly by that invitation. There is great freedom in knowing that His call doesn’t rely on my effort or experience, but on His ability to equip and empower me for what He’s asked me to pursue. Any pressure to “perform” is taken off me and rests solely in His capable hands. The same is true for you too!
It’s that very truth that brought me to one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. Last year, I had the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone in a new way and take part in a trip that ministered to women in the red-light districts of the Philippines.
I asked the Lord for some specific things prior to leaving – to give me the names of women I’d meet beforehand, to provide excess funds to bless the women, to see just one girl leave the district – among other prayers. Not only did the Lord answer every request, but He used my time there to break down and reshape my heart to a place of utter and absolute awe of HIM.
Sex trafficking survivors are the strongest women I’ve ever met. There’s no amount of comfort or healing apart from Jesus Christ that could repair the damage done to a soul who’s experienced such unspeakable acts. I met many women with unique stories of rescue, redemption, and testimonies of God answering her cries for help.
There was one woman specifically who showed me the greatest story of redemption I’d ever seen, we’ll call her “Lucy.” As a teen, Lucy was sold by a relative and told she was being sent to the city to work as a waitress, but her relative knew the truth – she was going to the red-light district where she’d be sold for the pleasure of foreign men. She was forced to dance in a dirty bar and would be sold for sex whenever there was a buyer.
She arrived a virgin and was sold to a man who took her to a nearby hotel and raped her. The abuse didn’t end in one night – she was held captive in this room for weeks! When she was finally set free, she heard of a place that could take her in and give her a new start with no questions asked. It was a Christian organization, they introduced her to Jesus, and she was able to experience His love for herself.
Fast forward years later, and the woman I met had the most joyous, bubbly, and loving personality. I had the pleasure of serving with her when I did my outreach in the districts. I was with a handful of rescued women who were now going back into their place of enslavement to help bring others out. Not going to a place like where they were kept – but to the very place that they were held captive! I still can’t wrap my mind around what that fully means for these women.
Lucy was one who was burdened to go back and rescue others. I had the sweetest time with her as we’d walk up and down the street doing our outreaches and learning more about her story. It was on my last evening there that she stopped to show me something. We passed by this specific hotel every night we were in the city, and now, she stopped to share with me this story and show me the place where she was held. My heart sank into my stomach. I was staring at the place where my sister was captive. I was walking by this place every day…. not even I, but SHE. Every time she does these outreaches, every time she’s in this city, every time she steps out to obey her calling and walks by this place that was once her torture. I’ve never known strength like that. I’ve never seen a heart that was pulled from such darkness and now desired to bring others into the light with such intentionality.
Jesus. Jesus is the only explanation that there is that can bring a heart back full circle like this. Lucy showed me a picture of Jesus here on earth. One who fights through the darkness to bring us into the light, who offers forgiveness to the most undeserving, and lets nothing come between the mission that the Father has given.
Each of these women have a story. They all deserve the chance to be free. You don’t have to go across the world to make a difference, it begins right here at home. Just by reading this, you now know. You know there is a problem and that people are being purchased. The good news, however, is that you are the solution.
So what can you do?
Look for the signs. There are countless organizations that can teach you what to look for in a trafficking victim – Exodus Cry, Shared Hope International, A21, International Justice Mission, etc. are filled with resources that can educate you.
Be a voice. As you learn more about the issue of human trafficking, share it with others. There are still so many who don’t know this is a real global problem.
Support financially. There are organizations working on the front lines who could use your financial support to continue doing the job of setting captives free. Support local missions, missionaries, ministries, and nonprofits that are actively involved in the rescue and restoration of those who are trafficked.
Preventative care. Sponsoring a child through an organization like Compassion International or becoming involved as a local mentor to youth erases the vulnerability of the next generation. Foster teens and runaways also greatly need your time and influence. As you invest in others, you take away the desire to seek unhealthy attention elsewhere, which is how so many young victims get taken advantage. You don’t have to be perfect to mentor, you just need to be willing to walk alongside the brokenness.
Prayerfully consider how you can join in on the fight against this modern-day slavery and take action. The fight for justice starts with the first step and restoring hope for one person.
We aren't called to shine our own light, we're called to reflect His... 