Interview by Kathi Macias
Editor’s note: By email, award-winning author Kathi Macias interviewed Lisa Thompson, Liaison for the Abolition of Sexual Trafficking, the Salvation Army National Headquarters. This is the second part of a 2-part interview. Lisa endorsed the first novel in Kathi’s “Freedom” series, Deliver Me from Evil.
Kathi: If we suspect that human trafficking may indeed be taking place in our own sphere of influence, how best do we safely and effectively get involved in helping to combat this evil and rescue the victims? Are there precautions you would recommend?
Lisa: It can sometimes be a challenge ascertaining whether someone is a victim of human trafficking or not. As a first step, I encourage people to attend an anti-trafficking training program to learn about human trafficking indicators. Many groups are offering such training programs in communities across the country.
At such training programs, participants will typically learn standard questions to ask a suspected victim, questions that will give you clues as to their possible trafficking status. These questions include:
- Are you being paid?
- Can you leave your job if you want to?
- Have you or your family been threatened?
- What are your working and living conditions like?
Questions like these, and several others, are important because often trafficking victims are not even aware of what human trafficking is or that they may be a victim of it.
If you asked the individual, “Are you a victim of human trafficking?” you may be answered with a blank stare. But by asking roundabout questions, such as those listed above, the questioner may discover important human trafficking indicators.
Be Wise
Of course, every situation is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all response to possible cases. That said, it is easy for members of the general public to miss signs of danger and to make matters worse if they take immediate, direct action by themselves. So, as a general rule, it is the best course of action to immediately contact the local authorities, if you suspect someone is a victim. There is also a national hotline number that people should call: 1-888-3737-888.
Often after learning about human trafficking people want to jump in and do something to help combat the problem. That is a very commendable response! Unfortunately, sometimes well-meaning people jump in before they have taken the time to do their homework. In other words, they decide to launch a program, start a shelter, or some other initiative, without the least experience, education, or understanding of what is already being done about the problem in their communities. This can waste time and valuable resources, as well as damage relationships and potentially harm those they intended to serve. Thus, I encourage people to become educated on the subject, to spend time interning or volunteering with existing anti-trafficking organizations, and to work cooperatively building partnerships with other groups and individuals in their communities.
Lastly, we need to target more of our responses towards prevention efforts, rather than solely to the difficult and costly task of restoration. Yes, we need programs and initiatives to assist those who have already fallen prey to human traffickers, but we need to be devoting much more time and effort to stopping human trafficking before it happens.
NewHopeDigital.com offers a variety of resources to help you understand and become involved in the fight against modern-day slavery. A partial list is available here. Kathi Macias is a regular contributor by article and podcast.
Kathi is the author of the “Freedom” series of novels on human trafficking. The first 2 books, Deliver Me from Evil and Special Delivery, are available now in paperbook and ebook format (Nook).
