The idea that people today can be bought and sold for a price seems unbelievable. But it is a reality. The United Nations estimates that almost 30 million people across the globe are living in slavery. Today we call this “human trafficking” but it’s no different than slavery of the past. Men, women and children are bought and sold as a commodity for labor, prostitution, exploitation and the removal of organs.
Human Trafficking is a $150 billion industry worldwide, and it is happening throughout the world in every country including the United States. According to the US Department of State, 2 million women and children are victims of human trafficking every year in the United States, including 300 thousand children forced into child prostitution and child pornography.
There are more slaves today than any other time in human history: Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in the world, second only to drug trafficking. And while drugs can be sold once, a person can be sold several times a day.
Incidents of human trafficking tend to spike alongside major sporting events like the Olympics and the Super Bowl to meet the high demand for commercial sex.
As this year’s Super Bowl comes nearer, please pray with the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ for the men, women, and children forced into slavery.
Prayer to end Human Trafficking
Creator of us all, our words cannot express what our minds can barely comprehend and our hearts feel when we hear of children and adults deceived and transported to unknown places for purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor because of human greed.
Our hearts are saddened and our spirits angry that their dignity and rights are being transgressed through threats, deception and force. We cry out against the degrading practice of trafficking and seek ways for it to end.
Strengthen the fragile-spirited and broken-hearted. Make real your promises to fill these our sisters and brothers with a love that is tender and good and send the exploiters away empty-handed. Give us the wisdom and courage to stand in solidarity with them, that together we will find ways to the freedom that is your gift to all of us. Amen.
— Gen Cassani, SSND used with permission
