Fighting Against Evil

“They walk all over your people, GOD,

Exploit and abuse your precious people.” (Psalm 94:5 MSG)

I’ve been hearing about human trafficking for years, but I always assumed it was something that happened in faraway countries; then, I read a report about a few local cases. It was hard to imagine that this sort of exploitation could be happening so close to me, and that I might have inadvertently supported businesses that engage in abuse. I have been researching this subject lately and would like to share some of the information I found:

“While the victims may sometimes be kept behind locked doors, they are often hidden right in front of us at, for example, construction sites, restaurants, elder care centers, nail salons, agricultural fields, and hotels.” (U.S. Department of State)

Here are a few red flags that could indicate that a victim is being coerced into working for someone:

• Living with employer
• Poor living conditions
• Multiple people in cramped space
• Inability to speak to individual alone
• Answers appear to be scripted and rehearsed
• Employer is holding identity documents
• Signs of physical abuse
• Submissive or fearful
• Unpaid or paid very little
• Under 18 and in prostitution

All human beings are precious in God’s eyes. There is no denying that exploitation and abuse are evil. Fighting evil requires us to be informed and alert--to advocate for those who are powerless to seek help for themselves.

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