Week 5 - Analysis

This week I tried to search for examples of those who are dealing with corruption well in combating human trafficking. It was difficult to do that without falling back on the organization I mentioned last week, International Justice Mission. They are the only ones I found who work to combat corruption in a positive way, meaning they present the corrupt official with an opportunity to make things right and then help that person get the credit for acting with integrity.

Many of the cases that I looked at this week did not have good methods—or any methods at all—to handle the corruption that is part of human trafficking. Most of the nations have laws that target the trafficked person and the trafficker (if they can be caught) and no provision for those corrupt individuals that are complicit in the crime. The nations that have handled situations with corrupt officials, have done so on a case-by-case basis. It would be more powerful for governments to take a stand on punishing corruption but that would probably become uncomfortably close to home for many lawmakers.

While most people would agree that trafficking is a scourge, there is still the question of those who desire to be trafficked, like trying to get out of a nation where it is unsafe and seems impossible to have a good future. What does trafficking mean to those who would willingly do whatever it takes to get out of their nation? And since most governments have laws that punish the trafficked person rather than anyone else, does this really help the situation? If someone is fleeing persecution, their life is in danger, or they want a future that is impossible in their nation shouldn’t we try to help their government? But how can we when no nation wants other nations to get involved in their system of government? All these questions are things that Christ-followers must recognize and think about addressing.

Many people would say that trafficking in such situations is acceptable but what does that mean for trying to prevent trafficking from continuing? Do Christ-followers support this practice or should they support helping people within their context? It is difficult to take a position without opening ourselves up for criticism. So we have to carefully consider the situation and decide how we can help. No matter what stand we take, someone will disagree with the stand, the measures to enforce it, and the ideals behind it.

Although it may step on toes, maybe we should try to do that. To weigh in on the difficult issues surrounding trafficking when the “victim” chooses to be trafficked and what Christ-followers can and should do.