Learning About Human Trafficking
By now, you may have seen the video portions of our program designed for pregnancy centers, learning about human trafficking.
Learning
The video portions posted are part of the course. Interactive attention helps with learning. There is a library with various printable and shareable infographic, posters, and handouts.
We have also created some helpful worksheets for staff and volunteers to assist in developing protocols and procedures related to identifying and responding to human trafficking.
About Human Trafficking
Human trafficking happens in any community and this terrible crime is often hidden or misidentified. “It’s domestic violence on steroids,” a common saying among survivor leaders. Domestic violence is a very difficult psychological trap. Human trafficking is another level of human rights violations.
Most trafficking victims have no idea they are victims. Often a slow progression, like putting a frog in cold water and slowly bringing it to a boil. Victims become acclimated and the increasing abuses become normalized. In NH, we have specific clauses in our law that include drugs and controlling substances. Drugs are often part of the grooming and abuse process. Victims need help to self identify.
Pregnancy Centers
Pregnancy centers need to learn about human trafficking because they undoubtably serve human trafficking victims from time to time. Both labor trafficking and sex trafficking cases are found all over the USA. Depending on the community, environment, demographics, more labor or sex trafficking may occur.
Pregnancy centers are on the front lines of the battle for the lives of women and their tiny babies. Forced abortion is common especially among sex trafficking victims. Sometimes, the baby delivers the mom from abuse, including trafficking. I know, because that was my experience.
Rahab’s Gift
I developed, Rahab’s Gift, a course for pregnancy centers because I had to risk my life for my baby. My trafficker threatened to kill me if I didn’t have an abortion. The night after I made the appointment at Planned Parenthood, I sobbed uncontrollable until exhausted, I fell asleep. Then, I had a dream of the abortion procedure in color from the perspective of the womb.
I saw half a tiny face, part of a ribcage, stubby little fingers… I woke ready to die myself. During my trafficking experience, I had attempted suicide numerous times. So, I was willing to die before submitting to abortion. In my shock, I called out to God to help me. I convinced my trafficker that I had gone to the appointment and that the abortion was done. We, baby and I, escaped because pro-lifers helped me find a home for unwed mothers.
Rahab had faith in Jehovah God. She doubly risked her life to get out of her situation. She saved her family and ultimately, became a member of the lineage of the Savior of the whole world: baby Jesus.