March 27, 2025
Human trafficking is the second-largest criminal industry in the world and reaps approximately $32 billion annually, enslaving an estimated 24.9 million victims worldwide. It is no discriminator of persons, preying upon adults and children of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities. In the United States, the most common form of trafficking is sex trafficking. In fact, cases of child sex trafficking are reported in all 50 states every year.
The global problem of sex trafficking is growing as technological advances increase and vulnerable populations become more prone to grooming and recruitment.
While engaging in anti-trafficking ministries may feel overwhelming, churches can get involved in fighting by building a ministry to the survivors.
Starting small and assessing your church for the gifts and resources that you have available is the first step. Gather a group of volunteers who are committed to caring for survivors or for the vulnerable populations who are at-risk of being trafficked in your community. Once you have identified people passionate about the cause, here are four foundational steps to build a ministry to survivors.
Get Educated
Learn everything you can about how and why vulnerable populations are trafficked. Find research and information from other organizations and people in the trenches who have served in similar ministries. Listen to survivors and individuals who have experienced this trauma firsthand.
Assess Your Community
Determine the size and scope of sex trafficking in your community and identify the high-risk populations around you. Find out who is already serving these populations and what efforts they are already taking to fight against modern-day slavery. Then find out how you can work alongside them. You do not need to recreate the wheel, so if there are organizations already in the fight, seek to join what they are doing.
Assess Yourself
Determine what part of the anti-human trafficking equation you feel called to join. What unique gifts and talents can you bring to the fight? Assess your own life and ask yourself what a sustainable commitment for you right now would look like. Be honest about the skills and time you bring to the table.
Start with Relationships and Serving
Being close to those you are serving is key to helping them effectively. Ask yourself how you can build relationships with the vulnerable populations you want to reach. You need to spend time with them, get to know them, and foster trust with them. The best way to do this is by serving with organizations that are reaching these communities already. Remember, survivors of human trafficking have been lied to, manipulated, and abused, so it will take time to establish a trustworthy relationship.
Building a ministry to survivors involves understanding that every victim of human trafficking has experienced trauma. Training your volunteers in trauma awareness and trauma-informed care will help these survivors feel respected, seen, and heard. They need a safe space where they are free to share as much or as little as they want, make decisions for themselves, and begin the path to restoration.
How to Get Involved in Human Trafficking is a free course designed to help you and your church learn more about anti-trafficking and how to build a ministry to help survivors. Join the fight for freedom today!
