Human Trafficking Event Update

Message from the End Human Trafficking Team

In the July eNews Monthly Newsletter, we brought two important international Human Trafficking and Anti-Human Trafficking events to your attention that took place in July:

• FIFA World Cup – 48 nations competing in three countries and 16 cities, with millions of visitors from throughout the world
• World Day Against Trafficking in Persons took place on July 30 as it does annually, by the United Nations Office of Crime and Drugs.

What happened, you may ask:

• Were prayers answered?
• Were the activities of traffickers and buyers of sex enabled?
• Both, neither, something else?

To answer these questions, let’s look at some relevant headlines and facts:

World Cup

• Department of Homeland Security, along with federal, state, and local partners, arrested 905 suspects and rescued 189 victims – 150 adults and 30 juveniles:
  • South Florida 190 arrests
  • Kansas City 19 arrests, 9 children rescued
• Bay Area Task Force rescues 53 victims
• New York Police Department arrests 89 suspected traffickers, rescues dozens of victims
• 150 arrests during World Cup in New York and New Jersey
• More than 150 traffickers arrested in Atlanta
• 21 individuals were arrested in Washington State
• Financial institutions were urged to monitor suspicious transactions linked to human trafficking

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

• Federal and state investigations highlight international trafficking risks
• Nearly 290 Rwandan victims rescued from exploitation in different countries
• Israel bans import of goods produced using forced labor
• Two Mexican Episcopal Conference Presidents issue a statement against human trafficking
• Uganda launches new Action Plan to combat human trafficking
• Multiple statements against trafficking worldwide
• Los Angeles County reaffirms commitment to combat sex and labor trafficking on World Day Against Trafficking

The foregoing are but a few of the headlines regarding the World Cup and Trafficking, and the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Back to the questions:

• Were prayers answered? – YES, the evidence is in the preparations, arrests, rescues, and federal, state, local, and private cooperation. Furthermore, lessons learned and the relationships established will continue to produce results Ending Human Trafficking.
• Were the activities of traffickers and buyers of sex enabled? – YES, HOWEVER, sex and labor exploitation has been known to take place at major sporting events, and throughout the world. The arrests will take many traffickers off the streets and cause buyers to think twice about taking risks. Anti-Human Trafficking messages were accentuated, and strategies were developed that will continue to be effective in combating human trafficking.
• Both, neither, something else? – SOMETHING ELSE happened that will have long-term benefits! The coordinated efforts of governments, law enforcement, financial institutions, and faith and community organizations remain focused on Ending Human Trafficking at home and abroad. We must stay informed, stay alert, report suspicious activity, and pray without ceasing. We will have more to say about what we can do in subsequent editions of this newsletter.

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:3 (NKJV)

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