How Can Faith Based Communities Engage in the Fight for Freedom?
January 18, 2022
Key Points:
- Educate and assist faith-based communities on their unique and crucial role and positioning in the fight to end human trafficking.
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Learn the concept of the collaborative safety fence in our collective efforts at prevention and be able to discern and build the fenceposts that best suit your communities’ resources, skills, and needs.
- Provide very tangible and actionable items to faith community leaders, stakeholders, and anyone who wishes to put feet on ending human trafficking in our generation.
- If you feel overwhelmed with all the information shared in this webinar and how to begin to engage in modern slavery and human trafficking prevention and response work– that’s okay. You should feel overwhelmed because this type of work is not meant to be done in isolation and in silos. Collaboration and partnerships are key! Share the load!
To Order This Book:
“Ending Human Trafficking: A Handbook of Strategies for the Church Today” by Shayne Moore, Sandra Morgan, Kimberly McOwen Yim
Additional Resources:
Quotes From Webinar:
T. Wright, The Challenge of Jesus:
“Our task as image-bearing, God-loving, Christ-shaped, Spirit-filled Christians, following Christ and shaping our world, is to announce redemption to a world that has discovered its fallenness, to announce healing to a world that has discovered its brokenness, to proclaim love and trust to a world that knows only exploitation, fear, and suspicion.”
John Cotton Richmond:
"Have you ever felt overwhelmed by an important task, perplexed about how to take action, or doubtful that your best efforts could make a difference? I have. It is a mixture of preemptive fatigue, profound confusion, and learned hopelessness. The topic of human trafficking can generate these feelings as well-intentioned groups raise awareness about the millions of people suffering in slavery and about the urgency that something must be done. Yet the call to action often seems unclear or unequal to the task. I think people are willing to draw near to those who are suffering if they believe they can make a difference. For people of faith, there is a clear and unmistakable directive to care for the oppressed and to seek justice. But without a plan, it is hard to put empathy and compassion into meaningful action."
Books:
“Refuse to do Nothing: Finding Your Power to Power to Abolish Modern Day Slavery” by Shayne Moore and Kimberly McOwen Yim
Slavery didn't end in 1833, when William Wilberforce's decades-long campaign finally resulted in the Slavery Abolition Act. It didn't end in 1863, when Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. It didn't end in 1949, when the United Nations declared trafficking "incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person." The sad truth is, slavery never ended. It just went underground, where it continues to exploit powerless men, women and children in horrific ways throughout the world. Now for the good news: you have power.
In Refuse to Do Nothing, "Abolitionist Mamas" Shayne Moore and Kimberly Yim share their stories of coming to terms with the power available to them in their normal, everyday lives to
- illuminate the shadows where those who traffic in people hide
- compel corporations to fight slavery in how their products are made
- motivate politicians to fight for human dignity
- mobilize friends and strangers alike to fight slavery at home and throughout the world
Slavery doesn't end without a fight. But get to know Shayne and Kimberly and their abolitionist friends, and you'll find the power God grants to all who fight for the powerless, and the joy awaiting those who refuse to do nothing.
To puchase: https://amzn.to/3nNsOgN
Podcast:
Ending Human Trafficking Podcasts - The Global Center for Women and Justice launched the Ending Human Trafficking podcast in April 2011 and it has passed the 160 podcast milestone as of January 2018. Their mantra is “Study the Issues. Be a voice. Make a difference”. They believe that if you do not study first, you may say or do the wrong thing.
The National Family and Youth Services Clearinghouse promoted Ending Human Trafficking podcasts as “a good way to get up to speed on human trafficking”. Their audience includes students, community leaders, and even government leaders. Ending Human Trafficking podcast listeners come from all corners of the world, which accomplishes their mission of building a global community that works together to end human exploitation.
https://endinghumantrafficking.org/
Community Assessment Questions:
- What forms of MSHT need to be addressed in your community?
- What is the SCALEof each of these forms?
- GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATIONS- where is it happening in your community?
- What are the FACTORS THAT SUSTAIN THESE SYSTEMSof MSHT?
- What are some ENTRY POINTS FOR REDUCING SLAVERY?
- What types of PROMISING WORKare already taking place through civil society actors? Gaps and deficiencies?
- In what ways is GOVERNMENTsupporting? Gaps or needs for advocacy?
- In what ways are BUSINESSESsupporting? Gaps?
- How can our activities best COMPLEMENT AND STRENGTHEN EXISTING EFFORTS?
- What is the involvement of DONOR AGENCIES within the community?
Websites:
Common Sense Media - is an independent voice for kids, families, and communities everywhere. They combine original research with game-changing advocacy efforts to make the digital world work better for all kids. Their advocacy work highlights legislation related to technology and identifies solutions that protect consumer privacy, push for better connectivity for students and families, and hold tech companies accountable to ensure a healthy internet for all.
Common Sense Media rates movies, TV shows, books, and more so parents can feel good about the entertainment choices they make for their kids. They offer the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Their timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/our-mission
NetSmartz – focuses on online safety education program. It provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help teach children be safer online with the goal of helping children to become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline.
