Human Trafficking: Reality of the Cause

The subject of human trafficking has become a topic of contemplation for me, especially after hearing the heart of one young lady who recently returned from Cambodia where she was studying the subject for college credit.  I began to consider the cause.  The question  was, “What would put someone in such a dire position that they would either be willing to sell themselves or a family member into the darkness of the sex trade or sweatshop labor?”  Not all are sold into this lifestyle; some are kidnapped or otherwise trapped into it due to addiction or other life circumstances.  Nonetheless, these still are not reflective of the root cause.  They are merely tertiary causes.  Ultimately, I believe that extreme poverty, especially among women, is the umbrella cause under which the tertiary or supporting causes fall such as:

* political, social, and economic instability;

* a lack of access to basic educational and vocational opportunities;

* civil war and oppressive political regimes;

* a culture of domestic violence and the degeneration of the family structure;

* discrimination, i.e. caste systems or gender related discrimination;

* prevalence of high mortality diseases such as HIV-AIDS, malaria, typhoid, etc. leading to abandonment; 
 
As ACI considers what role it can play on the global stage to help eliminate the tragic reality of human trafficking, I believe it is important to articulate our commitment as follows:

 Affecting Change International, its leadership team, board members, corporate and civil society partners strongly condemn the criminal act of trafficking in human beings. We recognize that it violates basic human rights and violates the dignity and integrity of the individual being trafficked.  We recognize the need to commit to doing all we can to:

* raise public awareness of what we beleive to be the basic cause of human trafficking, which is extreme poverty, and will work to develop partners willing to help those communities and families that are most at risk;

* be an advocate in public venues for the most vulnerable communities;

* research, write, and develop effective aftercare programs for those recovering from a trafficking situation;

* network with law enforcement, secular and faith-based nonprofits, and other relevant actors, locally and internationally, to develop effective collaborative efforts to challenge the global human trafficking crisis.

I would love to hear your thoughts on how ACI can further accomplish our goals to positively impact this global situation.  Also, if you would like to partner with ACI, email me at [email protected] and we can discuss how we can make a difference together.

Making a Difference Together,

David L. Neely, President
Affecting Change International

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