Why? Why? Why?
When it comes to human trafficking there are many reasons to ask why. Why are there an estimated 50 million people in slavery today? Why can criminals make over 150 billion dollars each year with little risk of being convicted? Traffickers prey on some of the world’s most marginalized and vulnerable individuals – profiting from their plight and consider it a low risk business. Often, I am asked, why India? The simple answer is, it’s where God called me. There has never been a doubt in my mind that India is the place for me. Since 2004, we have been combatting this atrocity against society. It fuels crime, corruption, and violence. It violates the fundamental right of all people to be free.
Over the last 20 years we have heard some of the most horrific stories of violence and sexual abuse that I could never imagine or think possible. It is difficult to talk about and process the things I have seen and heard. A child thrown across the alley into a brick wall, a woman being strangled to death by a customer, women cut up with knives, countless being beaten and left for dead in a bush or alley way. I have seen these things with my own eyes and heard hundreds more share their story. For me, it is not acceptable so I keep trying to help one more. It is my nature to always try to find the positive. Mostly, when I write I tell of the impact and transformations we see through the ministry of Rahab’s Rope. That’s what keeps us going, knowing that today a positive impact was made in a woman or child’s life. But today, I felt compelled to put the evil in front of us, not to lift it up but to show the importance of what is being done.
India is the most populus country in the world. Therefore, making it the country with the highest number of human trafficking victims. It is estimated that India has over 13 million people in modern day slavery. The next closest country is China with and estimated 3 million people in modern day slavery. That means almost 30% of all human trafficking victims are in India. Traffickers know how to target vulnerable people. Vulnerability is driven by poverty, conflict, discrimination and marginalization of minority groups. Marginalized people mean they are considered insignificant. Can you imagine? You are too insignificant to matter.
In 2021, the Indian government identified the state of Maharashtra as having the highest number of adult persons trafficked for sexual exploitation. Mumbai is in this state and where we work in the red-light area and a high-risk area.
A 2020 study found that child sexual exploitation is increasing in Goa due to tourism. This shows the importance of our prevention work and keeping children in school.
Child marriages are another form of human trafficking. In 2024 the Times of India reported that over 4,400 child marriages happen each day in India. India is home to the largest number of child brides in the world with an estimated 223 million child brides, according to UNICEF. Note, it is illegal for girls under the age of 18 to marry in India. During our first year in Goa, an 8-year-old girl we knew was forced into marriage. Again, the importance of prevention and keeping children in school.
This is the harsh reality of where we work. I am often asked, “Do you think you are really making a difference?” Let me ask, if you were that little 8-year-old girl, or it was your daughter or granddaughter, would it make a difference?
To the world you may only be one person, but to one person you may be the world. So, I say to you, Go and be someone’s one person.
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalms 16:11
Photos from the paths we walk
