“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every chain?” Isaiah 58:6
to let the oppressed go free, and to break every chain?” Isaiah 58:6
- 2 special units have been established by Governor Kemp.
- 1 case in Union County in 2025 was resolved with the rescue of a young woman.
- The Union County Sheriff’s office has dedicated training once per year on this topic.
- 60 % of Human Trafficking happens within the I-285 corridor in Atlanta. They are often victims of ‘luring.’
- Most of Georgia’s victims are young women.
- Common factor among these victims: Broken Family Homes
Week of Prayer to End Human Trafficking
“O God, you came “to set the captives free.” Luke 4:14-21
February 8 has been designated by the Vatican as a World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action against Human Trafficking. This is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery. Human Trafficking is the second-largest and fastest-growing criminal industry in the world. As a result, there are more slaves today than at any other time in history, with tens of millions of victims around the world. Tragically, it is believed that less than one percent are rescued. The most common forms in the US are commercial sex and labor trafficking compelled through force, fraud, or coercion. There are reported victims in all 50 states.
“Learn to do what is good; seek justice, correct oppression;
defend the rights of the orphan, advocate for those in need.”
Isaiah 1:17
Please be aware of this symbol asking for help from victims of sexual trafficking, domestic abuse, kidnapping, child abduction, etc. You should know this signal in case you ever need it and you should be able to identify it in case you ever see someone using it.
25% of all victims are children age 17 or younger, representing 10 million girls and boys worldwide
Nearly 30% of all victims are men and boys; jumping to 46% for victims of forced labor
For every 1,000 people across the world in 2016, 5.4 were victims of human trafficking
“You may choose to look the other way, but you can never again say that you did not know.”
William Wilberforce, circa 1800
William Wilberforce was a British politician and Anglican who worked to abolish the Atlantic slave trade. The triangular slave trade went from Europe to Africa to the Americas and lasted from the 16th to the 19th centuries – approx 350 years. The trip to North America was called the Middle Passage. It took 2-3 months. 80% went to South America, Brazil and the Caribbean. It took 6 weeks or less. It is estimated that 10 million slaves were transported during the slave trade. Compare this number with tens of millions of victims around the world today. The numbers are estimated at 40.3 million victims of modern-day slavery worldwide.
Why is Human Trafficking so prevalent?
Owing to the hidden nature of the crime, lax enforcement of anti-trafficking laws, the ease with which victims can be re-exploited, and large demand, human trafficking is considered a low risk and highly lucrative illegal enterprise. Calculated as a 150-billion-dollar industry, modern day slavery has become the fastest growing source of illicit profit for criminals worldwide.
“All over the world the Church is committed to denouncing the commodification and exploitation of people, resulting from the ‘throwaway culture’ which the Holy Father repeatedly condemns and links to the god of money. Catholic communities should denounce this false deity.” Pope Francis, Angelus, 30 July 2017
Sex trafficking would simply not be profitable without demand. Sex buyers drive the market for the illegal sex trade. From May 2019 – June 2020, CEASE Texas identified over 1 million unique online advertisements for commercial sex across six Texas cities. We should consider the roles of technology, pornography, sexually oriented businesses, and a hypersexualized culture as facilitators of an environment that normalizes exploitation and fuels demand.
Labor trafficking is also impacted by demand. The demand for cheap goods and cheap labor can result in worker exploitation and slavery in supply chains. In 2020, the Department of Labor identified 155 goods from 77 countries produced by child or forced labor.
We often assume that trafficking only impacts certain types of individuals, such as those living in abject poverty with little to no access to education. While certain factors do make some populations exceptionally vulnerable to human trafficking, there is no “typical” profile. Anyone can become a victim regardless of sex, age, race, citizenship status, socioeconomic level or educational attainment.
For example, individuals may be highly educated, speak multiple languages and hold university degrees. Understanding that no one is immune to victimization allows us to improve prevention and victim identification strategies.
How can we break through these misconceptions about this very serious situation?
Major global sporting events like the World Cup have been shown to lead to a surge in human trafficking victimization. With the World Cup coming to North America in 2026, 24-7 Prayer has felt compelled to call for a special focus on Anti-Human Trafficking intercession and action from now through June 2026. Atlanta is host to 8 games
THE STORY OF A SAINT
International Day of Prayer for Catholics is on February 8. It has been designated by the Vatican and the International Union of Superiors General as a World Day of Prayer, Reflection and Action against Human Trafficking. February 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy. Follow this link to watch the story of St Josephine
“There have never been as many slaves in the world as there are today,”
