By Send Relief staff
To understand the fight against modern-day slavery, we must first understand the people who are at risk of being trafficked. Human trafficking happens across the world, from small villages in Southeast Asia to major European cities to suburban neighborhoods in the US. Despite the difference in locations, at-risk populations share some major commonalities.
Here are four groups who are the most vulnerable to experiencing trafficking.
- People in extreme poverty or generational poverty. Generational cycles open people to vulnerabilities and lead to greater unmet physical needs. This often results in unmet emotional needs as well, leaving people even more susceptible to predators. Vulnerability can lead families to go so far as to sell children or other family members into slavery. Extreme poverty leads to extreme decisions.
- Children in the American foster care system. These children have experienced trauma and have unmet physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This leaves them vulnerable to those who would traffic them into labor or sexual exploitation. Children aging out of the foster care system are frequently targeted because they lack other options.
- Children and teens who run away from home or their foster placements become vulnerable to exploitation because they need food, water, and a place to stay. These basic needs are often met by predators who desire to use them for exploitation, and they are soon engulfed in trafficking.
- Drug users. People who abuse drugs are vulnerable to exploitation because predators use their addiction to coerce them into trafficking rings. Their desire for drugs will often override their desire for safety.
When you and your church recognize the people in your community who are most at risk of being trapped in modern-day slavery, you can take the first steps toward helping set them free.
Learn more about how you can join the fight with Send Relief’s free course, How to Fight Human Trafficking. You’ll learn from experts and experienced freedom fighters the most effective ways your church can help these vulnerable populations in Jesus’ name!
