Sound of Freedom Statement
If you watched The Sound of Freedom and now you want to take a deeper dive into the issues surrounding child trafficking, read this message from Rapha International:
Rapha’s mission depends upon people becoming aware of the trafficking and abuse of children, and then becoming compelled to do something to help protect them. We are grateful that the newly released film, The Sound of Freedom, is sparking conversation about the injustice of child sex trafficking. That conversation is the first step. In our experience at Rapha, we’ve seen two additional steps that lead people to become committed advocates for children around the world: 1.) a deeper understanding of human trafficking and 2.) a practical way to get involved.
A deeper understanding of human trafficking is an important part of becoming an advocate for children.
The events portrayed in The Sound of Freedom demonstrate the injustice and suffering that are synonymous with human trafficking. However, the most common circumstances surrounding the trafficking of children are not represented in the story. Here are a few examples of common dynamics of child sex trafficking that will help cultivate a deeper understanding:
The causes of human trafficking. The circumstances that lead to human trafficking are very complex. Understanding those circumstances does not excuse the behavior of traffickers and abusers, but acknowledges that systemic and cultural issues also play a role in human trafficking. It’s not just bad people doing bad things, but also risk factors that make some particularly vulnerable. Research shows that vulnerability to human trafficking is tied to “gender inequality, socioeconomic status, power relationships within a family, disorganized communities, cultural norms, racism, sexism, political priorities, public policies and law, and existence and effectiveness of law enforcement” (Sharma et al, 2022).
Why does that matter? Understanding what causes human trafficking is essential to building successful programs to protect children and prevent abuse. If human trafficking is attributed solely to the evil behavior of bad actors, it is difficult to build a case for prevention. Prevention and intervention into trafficking requires organizations to provide critical services at the community level to address the underlying issues. Those services are not prioritized when people believe that human trafficking is solely a law enforcement matter that can only be addressed by men with guns. When advocates and organizations understand that strengthening families and communities has a profound impact on combating human trafficking, real and sustainable change can happen for vulnerable children.
The emotional manipulation and grooming of trafficked children. The tactics used to recruit children into trafficking and exploitation are very diverse. It can happen that children are abducted by traffickers, as portrayed in The Sound of Freedom. It is much more common, however, that children are groomed by their abusers, financially coerced, or emotionally manipulated into exploitation. Research has identified five steps common in the grooming of children for commercial sexual exploitation: 1.) victim selection; 2.) gaining access and isolation; 3.) trust development; 4.) desensitization to touch; and 5.) maintaining control (Winters et. al, 2021).
Why does that matter? If our only model for survivors of sex trafficking are children who are physically trapped and begging to be freed, we will have an incomplete vision of survivors. Tragically, many survivors of child sex trafficking are not aware that they are being exploited and have deep emotional bonds with their abusers. When they are rescued, it is not uncommon for survivors to feel anger and distrust during their “rescue.” At Rapha, one of our goals for each child we serve is for her to find joy, peace, and happiness. We know, however, that those do not come immediately or even quickly for most survivors. Essential to serving survivors is understanding them and walking with them through a complex emotional journey that may be difficult to understand.
The intervention into human trafficking. A comprehensive and holistic intervention into a case of human trafficking is a long process. Children who have experienced trafficking are likely to have medical and mental health challenges that take time and professional support to resolve. Addiction disorders, high risk pregnancies, and homelessness are among the many complicated issues potentially facing children who have been rescued from sex trafficking. Long term support in the areas of education, criminal justice, relocation, legal and immigration assistance, and employment are often necessary to provide a survivor with an opportunity for sustainable freedom (Marburger & Pickover, 2021).
Why does that matter? When a law enforcement operation is considered the sole intervention into human trafficking, survivors are left with a high likelihood of being exploited again. Rescuing people from dangerous situations is important, but rescue is only the beginning. To provide real freedom and lasting safety, programs must be put in place to provide ongoing care and support for trafficking survivors. These types of programs are costly to operate; widespread understanding of the complex needs of survivors is crucial to build the coalitions and support networks that make them possible.
The position, appearance, and behavior of perpetrators. Perpetrators of child sexual abuse and trafficking are diverse. Portrayals that characterize perpetrators as deviant, explicitly violent, or frightening contribute to an incomplete understanding of human trafficking. In fact, the grooming process in abuse and trafficking (as explained above), often requires perpetrators to appear trustworthy and above reproach. The Polaris Project, a leading anti-trafficking and research organization in the United States, states that, “Traffickers come from all genders, races, ethnicities and walks of life. In sex trafficking situations, they may be intimate partners or spouses of the victims, family members, friends or benefactors, business acquaintances and bosses” (2023).
Why does that matter? Similarly to understanding survivors, understanding perpetrators is essential to an effective response to human trafficking. The false belief that a perpetrator of human trafficking will be easily identified as a dangerous person can provide more protection for perpetrators who are hiding in plain sight- as a neighbor, friend, teacher, or even a spiritual leader. Perpetrators can often use their positions as respected and trusted community members to access and exploit children.
With a deeper understanding, the last step to becoming an effective advocate is to find a way to become involved in the fight against human trafficking.
Rapha International can provide you with a tangible way to directly assist children who have experienced trafficking and vulnerable families who need protection. To help end trafficking- one child, one family, and one community at a time- you can:
Partner with Rapha International to support this long-standing mission to serve children who have experienced human trafficking and vulnerable children and families. Monthly partnership truly expands Rapha’s capacity to fight human trafficking. One time gifts and funding special projects helps us provide the highest quality facilities and services. You can even include Rapha in your legacy by leaving a bequest that will provide healing, hope and freedom for years to come.
Engage in Rapha’s work by receiving all of our news and updates. To sign up for emails visit rapha.org, and you can follow Rapha International on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. You can also join Rapha in praying for all of the children and families we serve and the staff who do the difficult work combating trafficking every day.
Advocate for Rapha with your friends and family. If you are part of a business, church, school, or other organization, find ways to share information about Rapha’s work with others. Sharing this article is a great way to start! You can also host a fundraising event- online or in person- to support our mission.
It takes a global community to combat a global problem like child sex trafficking. We are so grateful that The Sound of Freedom is sparking conversation around the issue, and that so many people are responding by looking for ways to get involved and make an impact. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the film, this statement, or Rapha’s work, please feel free to contact us at freedom@rapha.org with the subject line The Sound of Freedom.
SUMMARY:
We are grateful that the newly released film, The Sound of Freedom, is sparking conversations about child sex trafficking. Rapha depends upon committed advocates all over the world to continue our work with child survivors and vulnerable communities. If you've seen the film and want to take action, this article provides some next steps!
A deeper understanding. Here are a few points on which the film provides an incomplete view of the realities of human trafficking:
The context of human trafficking. A complex set of circumstances lead to human trafficking. Understanding those circumstances does not excuse the behavior of traffickers and abusers, but acknowledges that systemic and cultural issues also play a role in human trafficking.
The emotional manipulation and grooming of trafficked children. It can happen that children are abducted by traffickers. It is much more common, however, that children are groomed by their abusers, financially coerced, or emotionally manipulated into exploitation.
The intervention into human trafficking. A comprehensive and holistic intervention into a case of human trafficking is a long process. Children who have experienced trafficking are likely to have medical and mental health challenges that take time and professional support to resolve.
The position, appearance, and behavior of perpetrators. Portrayals that characterize perpetrators as deviant, explicitly violent, or frightening contribute to an incomplete understanding of human trafficking. In fact, the grooming process often requires perpetrators to appear trustworthy.
A way to get involved. Rapha International provides you with a tangible way to directly assist children who have experienced trafficking and vulnerable families who need protection. To help end trafficking- one child, one family, and one community at a time- you can:
Partner with Rapha International to support this long-standing mission to serve children who have experienced human trafficking and vulnerable children and families.
Engage in Rapha’s work by receiving all of our news and updates.
Advocate for Rapha with your friends and family. Sharing this article is a great way to start!
