PUSH works to mobilize the global church in following the biblical mandate to seek justice for the oppressed. We encourage the growing understanding that the gospel be followed-through in the darkest places – in the grossest crimes against humanity. We also know fully that the greatest task is not solely in educating about the issue and Christ’s call to seek justice, but taking action. We seek to
make the church and the community realize that they are a powerful force (if not the most powerful force) against human trafficking. Our prayer is for humble and courageous hearts in service to vulnerable victims of violence. India is a global source, transit center and a destination for forced labor, bonded labor and s*x trafficking. The Ministry of Home Affairs estimates that 90% of India’s s*x-trafficking is internal. Partner NGOs add that this statistic is rising.
“What help am I?”
As members of this country, victims of human trafficking hide in plain sight all around us. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to work with each other to take action and prevent exploitation of fellow humans. Join us as we work toward a mission of unison to end human trafficking. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.”
1 Timothy 2:1
What is “Human Trafficking”?
“The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of s*xual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.” (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
Can you provide some figures? Human Trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world today, and is the second largest.[1]
$32 billion: the minimum estimated total market value of illicit human trafficking.[2]
20-65 million: estimated population of men, women, and children in forced labor in India.[3]
20%: estimate by activists of rescued domestic workers who report s*xual abuse.[4]
115 million+ children: subject to commercial s*x trafficking and hazardous physical labor.[5]
Almost 21 million people are victims of forced labour – 11.4 million women and girls and 9.5 million men and boys. Almost 19 million victims are exploited by private individuals or enterprises and over 2 million by the state or rebel groups. Of those exploited by individuals or enterprises, 4.5 million are victims of forced s*xual exploitation. Forced labour in the private economy generates US $150 billion in illegal profits per year. Domestic work, agriculture, construction, manufacturing and entertainment are among the sectors most concerned. Migrant workers and indigenous people are particularly vulnerable to forced labour.[6]
[1] US Department of Health and Human Services
[2] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
[3] US Department of State
[4] US Department of State
[5] World Vision
[6] All bulleted figures are from the International Labor Organization: http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/lang--en/index.htm
