For This House
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
July 29, 2024 | 3 min read
Kara Veldman
Trigger warning: Please read as an adult with awareness of the subject.
One year ago I held a little girl in my arms in South Asia who was one of the 1% of children that are ever rescued from sex trafficking. At just 7 years old she was taken into the industry and sold multiple times across Asia, representing the same type of life millions and millions of children are forced into.
This is a $150 billion industry and it’s currently on track to surpass the drug trade for one simple reason: you can sell a kilogram of cocaine once, but you can sell one child many times over. This is a graphic reality that needs to be fought against.
A question that is commonly asked is, “How are all these women and children getting trafficked?” Let me explain a few of the most common ways.
A clear-cut way to understand human trafficking is, “the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit.”
Some of the primary factors that an individual might be targeted are
And, unfortunately, because of the increase of technology, traffickers have more direct and easy access to children and teens through social media platforms.
There is a correlation between someone who “buys sex” and the use of pornography. The United States is the largest consumer of child pornography, with 88 million child sexual abuse material files reported in 2022.
Based on the science, we know that porn affects the brain like a hard drug and is often a part of the escalation dynamic that leads to participating in sex trafficking. This directly relates to the demand of women and children because as long as there is a demand, there will be people working to provide a supply.
This is a lot of information that is daunting and often overwhelming, but there are helpful practical actions that you can make.
First and foremost, if you’re a parent, it is important to be mindful of who your children are spending time with, who they are talking to online, what social media platforms they are on, and who has access to them. This isn’t meant to be a fear tactic, but more of a mindful acceptance and awareness of the world we live in today.
There are also a few amazing organizations working all around the world to provide education, rescue, and rehabilitation. Here are a few of my favorite resources for learning more or getting involved:
Operation Underground Railroad leads the fight against child sexual exploitation and human trafficking worldwide through community awareness events, volunteer opportunities, and survivor care.
A21 fights modern day slavery by raising awareness through donations and walk-a-thons. They also have some great educational videos on how and where to spot exploited individuals in plain sight.
Demand Disruption accepts volunteers and donations to pursue their mission of reducing demand for trafficking by educating on the impact of porn in relationships and childhood.
The Tim Tebow Foundation helps the most vulnerable populations including trafficked and exploited persons and children. You can donate to the cause to help them help more victims or volunteer to get involved in other ways.
We live in a broken world, but the power of prayer is so real. Pray for those who are victims, pray for the hearts of all those consuming or enslaving, and pray for eyes to see the pitfalls around you.
Father, we come to you with humble hearts.
We acknowledge that your ways are higher than ours and that we will never be able to fully understand pain and suffering on this earth. Help us rest in the fact that you burn with a righteous anger at the injustices and evil on this earth- especially sins against children.
At times when we feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or hopeless, please be quick to remind us that you are in control and there will be a day where there are no more tears.
Jesus we pray in earnest for all the women, men, and children who are enslaved today to be freed. We pray that your Spirit goes forth with every rescue team and every law enforcement agency that the missions will continue to be successful.
We pray for the hearts of those who are so broken and lost that they are committing this evil. We pray for hearts to be convicted and for men to rise up and stop the demand.
Thank you Jesus that this world is not our home and that we can eagerly look forward to the hope of eternity. Yet may we use the time that you have given us here to do your work.
Amen
Kara currently resides in South Florida with her two dogs where she works as a mental health therapist for children, teenagers, and young adults.
Kara was raised in a small town in Washington State before leaving to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Her heart for people across the globe has led her on many international trips including countries such as Asia, South America, and Europe. Kara seeks to continue her work in providing education, international trainings, and walking alongside others in their healing journeys.