Slavery: the Reality

Most people don’t know that slaves even exist anymore, let alone the fact that there are more today than ever before. Indeed, it is estimated that there are more than 35 million slaves entrapped around the world. However, we know that this is not God’s plan for His creation. In Genesis 1:31, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good”, and we know that His heart breaks for those who have been entrapped in slavery.

A year ago, I read a book which completely changed my perspective on the modern day slavery trade. Initially, although God had given me a heart for justice and for fighting against slavery, I had found it hard to imagine how human trafficking actually occurs. The reality is that the majority of human trafficking victims are the poor, as they are tricked into believing they are going to a place where they can earn money to improve their lives.

However, anyone can become a victim to human trafficking, and ‘Trafficked: The Terrifying True Story of a British Girl Forced into the Sex Trade’ by Sophie Hayes, tells the story of a middle class British girl who believed she was in a loving relationship with her boyfriend. However, when she went on holiday to Italy with him, he completely changed, forcing her to become a prostitute on the streets and taking all her earnings. Sophie’s previously safe, sheltered life was taken from her and she was entrapped into slavery. This book really impacted me as I could relate so much to Sophie’s previous life, and it showed how easily anyone can become a victim of trafficking.

Learning the vast scale of slavery worldwide, I investigated deeper and learnt about International Justice Mission which is a worldwide anti human trafficking charity whose vision is to rescue thousands, protect millions and prove that justice for the poor is possible.

International Justice Mission (IJM) are working towards eliminating slavery, as well as raising awareness of the reality of human trafficking in today’s society. Therefore, they have set up an event, Stand for Freedom, which is a 24 hour period when people stand to inform communities about modern day slavery.

Just Love Exeter are standing for freedom this month! From 10am on 30th September to 10am on 1st October, we are putting on the event at the University of Exeter. If you would like to get involved, look out for more details on our Facebook page.

Mentioned in this article:

• Just Love Exeter’s Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/justloveexeter/?fref=nf

• ‘Trafficked: The Terrifying True Story of a British Girl Forced into the Sex Trade’ by Sophie Hayes- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trafficked-Terrifying-Story-British-Forced/dp/0007438885

• International Justice Mission- http://www.ijmuk.org

• Stand for Freedom- http://www.ijmuk.org/stand4freedom