The digital space is not only a means of enabling exploitation, it’s also an effective tool to protect the world’s most vulnerable people and create a space where the gospel can be heard and Christ can be known.
Today, tens of millions of people are trapped in human trafficking and exploitation in every country of the world. In response, SIM established For Freedom, its anti-trafficking and exploitation ministry.
Serving In Mission workers are currently serving in more than 70 countries and many are in communities where people are vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation.
For Freedom offers training and resources to equip our mission workers so they can conduct their ministries to address some of the risks vulnerable people face and to care for them holistically.
The latest *global report on human trafficking reports that child trafficking; trafficking for forced labour; and forced criminality; are all on the rise as poverty, conflict, and climate change leave more people vulnerable to exploitation,
The number of men, women and children, who are exploited for labour, services, and commercial sex, is increasing: partly due to rapid advances in digital technology that make it much easier for traffickers to find and exploit their victims.
Sarah Scott Webb, Serving In Mission’s For Freedom ministry co-lead says traffickers have become adept at using internet platforms, including social media channels, to amplify the reach, scale, and speed of their exploitation of victims.
She recently attended a Global Summit on Technology and Exploitation in the USA, where more than 600 movement leaders and advocates from 15 countries, gathered to learn more about Artificial Intelligence (AI), emerging technology and its impact on exploitation.
At the summit, Sarah heard disturbing accounts of how traffickers are using popular online platforms to groom and exploit new victims.
“It was shocking to hear that most trafficking is now occurring on social media — especially on Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook,” she says, “and it’s teenage boys who are being targeted the most.”
Sarah advocates some simple tips for keeping safe on social media and building a ‘healthy cynicism’ when online: “Make sure your privacy settings are always on, and location is always turned off — and don’t ‘engage’ with, ‘like’, or comment on anyone’s posts unless you know them in real life.”
Sarah adds: “We heard many examples of tech companies that are developing new platforms and protections to keep us safe online. This reinforces the need to teach our young people how to be aware of the dangers online, and how to use technology safely.”
While speakers at the summit discussed the dangers of new technologies, they also concluded that it’s also our greatest weapon to fight exploitation and restore dignity to survivors. Today, social messaging apps can be used by For Freedom workers and partners to prevent trafficking from happening in their communities.
During the opening months of the Ukraine war, For Freedom partners used social media channels, websites, and WhatsApp groups to share information and help many displaced people avoid traffickers and find safe passage.
For Freedom workers in Zimbabwe are also using WhatsApp groups to learn about local trafficking trends and to teach others what to watch out for. They belong to a local WhatsApp group that regularly posts stories of people who’ve been trafficked.
“This WhatsApp group is a powerful way that people are keeping safe from traffickers,” says Sarah. “People hear about where traffickers are operating and how they’re trying to trick them with false job offers. With this knowledge, they can keep safe.”
Making people aware of online dangers and sharing how to use technology safely are important ways of protecting the vulnerable and preventing trafficking and exploitation.
“Because SIM is serving in so many communities — in many practical ministries, including health, sports, church planting and education to name a few — we’re in a prime position to share this information, put some practical protective measures in place and keep our communities safe,” she adds.
“Sharing God’s love in this practical way opens doors to be able to share the good news of Jesus.”
For Freedom ministry co-lead Karine Woldhuis became aware of a trafficking case in Loja, Ecuador, where she was serving with her family. Despite the whole town immediately responding and searching for a young girl who’d been taken, sadly she was killed by her traffickers.
“I could see the need for us as Serving In Mission to grapple with the issue, whether it was in southern Ecuador, or somewhere in Africa or Asia,” she shares.
“Everywhere we work, we can be responding to people at risk of being trafficked as part of our mission call.
“Since For Freedom began, there’s been a steady increase of understanding of how modern slavery exists in the places where we serve and we have an opportunity to take simple, yet effective measures, to prevent human trafficking across many different ministries.”
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