Guest blogger: Lisa Shaeffer
Human Trafficking in RDU
Most people think that human trafficking only happens in drug and war torn countries. Did you know that it also exists here in the United States? Who can forget the shocking case of 5 year old Shaniya Davis, whose mother was arrested in 2009 for prostituting her own daughter? Just last year, a couple from Fayetteville, NC was arrested as part of a ring of 21 individuals accused of trafficking women up and down the east coast, as well as to Texas and California. North Carolina is ranked #8 out of the 50 states on the FBI’s watch list for trafficking due to our high immigrant population and our active highway system.
What is human trafficking? The laymen’s definition is “one person forcing another person to perform labor or sexual acts against their will so something of value is given or received.” Human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world today.
Who are the traffickers? They can be gangs, adoptive parents, or business owners. Human trafficking occurs whenever people want power over someone else for their own gain.
Jesus came to “bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn… that God may be glorified (Is 61:1 – 3). This is the message that needs to be taken to victims of human trafficking both around the world and here in our backyard. At the Summit, we are forming a group for this purpose. Will you join us? Mark your calendar for an informational meeting on Monday, Nov 7th at 7pm in the Kid’s Area at the Brier Creek Campus.
For more information, go to summitrdu.com/trafficking