Sex Trafficking

Human trafficking, the commodification of human beings, is a modern-day form of slavery. With IRD’s commitment to human rights, and our decade of experience in educating our constituents and spurring them to advocacy against slavery in Sudan, it was only natural that we also would add our voice and energy to a coalition of faith-based and other organizations formed to confront this immense evil.

Although there are various forms of trafficking, including forced labor, the most egregious affront to human rights and dignity is sex trafficking. In 2000, a leading international child protection group informed us that over two million women, girls, and boys were being forced into prostitution every year.

Our ever-expanding coalition continues to encourage the implementation and reauthorization of legislation calling for U.S. action against governments that participate in or tolerate trafficking. While good legislation is crucial for prevention, protection, and prosecution in these crimes, the churches have a unique role to play. We must encourage the type of advocacy that will uphold human dignity and we must offer hope through the love of Jesus Christ that will bring healing to the spirits, minds, and bodies of those whose lives have been scarred by exploitation and abuse.

To read the 2011 Trafficking in Persons Report, click here.