Prevention is better than cure - anti human trafficking

An article written for Asian Aid Australia

Introduction

Human trafficking is considered to be the modern day slavery. In 2012, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimated that 21 million victims are trapped in modern-day slavery.[i] According to US State Department Trafficking in Persons report, “Trafficking has a broad global impact as well. It weakens legitimate economies, fuels violence, threatens public health and safety, shatters families, and shreds the social fabric that is necessary for progress. And it is an affront to our basic values and our fundamental belief that all people everywhere deserve to live and work in safety and dignity.[ii]

The issue of trafficking is all about one human dehumanizing the other for personal gain.

Proactive early encounters and interventions (and not just rescuing and rehabilitating) are key to curb this humongous crisis.

The way forward that is realistic and which is within our sphere of influence

My recommendation for the preventative pathway is threefold.

1. Understand the problem to its entirety

The issue of human trafficking is complex. The movie ‘Nefarious: Merchant of Souls’[iii] is one great resource that enlightens the complexity of the issue portrays it in its entirety. The movie is based on extensive research and it clearly depicts how the issue of human trafficking is linked to belief system, cultures, politics, economics, underworld, porn industry and poverty. Globally, it’s a $32 billion industry involving 161 countries.[iv]. A comprehensive perspective on this issue will enable an individual or an organisation to figure out the appropriate intervention, in the right areas and in the right time.

With easy access to internet/ online resources, we should be able to commit ourselves to some independent learning on the issue.

In the process, it is also crucial to learn the indicators of human trafficking so we can help identify a potential trafficking victim. Human trafficking awareness training is available for individuals, businesses, first responders, law enforcement and educators, among other.

2. Take responsibility

Here is a lyrics extract from a Christian song titled ’27 million’, written by Matt Redman and LZ7 on the theme of human trafficking.

27 million are you joking? How could we let evil get so tight a grip? Watching while the world falls apart How did we let this stuff begin? Were not bothered if this offends Cuz you got people that can defend But they aint got that, they got nothing Sometimes we gotta stand for something Let this be the stand that gets your blood running[v]

The writers of this song pose an important question on the lack of responsibility from our end. As Mahatma Gandhi (Indian freedom fighter) once said, “be the change you wish to see in the world”.[vi] Unless we start somewhere ourselves, and propagate our values with an utmost responsibility, we won’t be able to create a wider and sustainable impact.

Desmond Tutu once famously said, “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in”[vii]. This is very much a proactive approach as opposed to a reactive one.

3. Educate the younger generation

By sensitizing the younger generation on this issue and encouraging them to become the agents of change, we create a proactive generation that will be responsible to protect and develop safer and thriving communities for the future.

Transformation starts at our home, during those dinner time discussions; in primary school, through lifeskill lessons; and at youth gatherings, through those inspirational talks; in various faith communities, through mentoring and accountability relationships. It’s the support and interventions at an early stages of a child or a younger person that catalyses protect and development.

In the communities where Oasis India works, a lot of emphasis is given on prevention. Through street awareness programmes, one-on-one mentoring, community group activities, regular sessions on child rights and safety, and specialised counselling sessions we are able to closely engage with our communities and thereby creating a safer and a better future for our children.

Conclusion:

Change never is easy. It takes time. There are no quick fixes. Most importantly, it requires sacrifice.

In India, many of us greet each other with Namaste. I have been fascinated by the meaning of the word, which means “my divine soul recognizes the divine soul in you” (in Hindi). When this mutual respect towards each other (irrespective of cast, creed, religion or status) is missing, we end up having to deal with problems like human trafficking. It's our values and belief system that make us or break us.

Educate and empower our younger generation on this matter and offer them tools that will enable them to stay safe and keep others safe. One step at a time.

References:

[i] International labour organisation. Wikipedia. Retrieved on April 10, 2018.

[ii] Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.S. State Department Trafficking in Persons Report, 2009.

[iii] http://nefariousdocumentary.com/. Retrieved on April 10, 2018.

[iv] Neha Misra, Huffington Post, April 10, 2018.

[v] http://www.lz7.co.uk. Retrieved on April 10, 2018.

[vi] https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/24499-be-the-change-that-you-wish-to-see-in-the. Retrieved on April 11, 2018

[vii] http://www.azquotes.com/quote/916110, retrieved on April 16, 2018