Human Trafficking

Illegal trade of people for commercial sexual exploitation or forced labour. Because of extreme poverty or the chance of a ‘better’ life and job prospects, the victims are taken advantage of. Once ensnared by this deception and coercion they don’t have any rights and are held captive against their will. Most often it involves women and children who are exploited for the sex trade, being degraded to mere objects for men’s sexual gratification. The Bible is clear; men should not have sex outside marriage or with anyone else other than their marriage partner.

Fellow humans are to be valued, respected and not manipulated for wrong and selfish ends. The Bible’s message is “Do to others what you would like done to you” and for their highest good (Lk 6:31; Mk 12:31). This includes speaking up and defending the rights of the poor and needy (Prov 31:8,9).

See also: abuse, prostitution, slave.