tfcglobal

Over the past two decades, the issue of sex trafficking has been brought increasingly into the light. In 2000, when the “Trafficking Victims Protection Act” was first passed, there were only a handful of agencies/non-profits combatting human trafficking in the United States. Today there are nearly 2,500; with new anti-sex trafficking organizations being formed every year. Many states and local jurisdictions have formed anti-sex trafficking task forces and coalitions, which provide synergy between law enforcement, social service providers, and the community to fight the crime and care for victims. It is certainly good news that within the past 20 years, we have seen such a tremendous increase in awareness, training, and resources combatting sex trafficking. 

However, despite this greater awareness and activity, the crime of sex trafficking continues to increase in the United States and around the world. This begs the question as to why? Why have increased efforts to fight sex trafficking, not resulted in diminishing the problem? Why does sex trafficking continue to trend in the wrong direction? There are certainly no easy answers. Sex trafficking continuing to increase is the result of several complex factors, and one can certainly get lost in the weeds trying to figure it out. 

Thankfully God did not leave us in the dark to figure it out on our own. Instead, God has given us a viable blueprint to effectively combat and end sex trafficking in His Word. The blueprint is found in Isaiah 1:16-17: “Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong” (16). Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow” (17). 

How brilliant and convicting. God’s command in verse 16 is a call to complete purity of mind, body and spirit. Then and only then can societies effectively do what verse 17 says which is “seek justice, defend the oppressed,” and so on. 

So what can we do to effectively diminish the crime of sex trafficking in our communities and society? According to God’s word in Isaiah, we must first heed verse 16 and commit to sexual health and purity, both as individuals and as a larger community. Specifically, people must break free from pornography and soliciting prostitution, or any other unwanted sexual behavior. As communities, we need to make it easier and more accessible for people to do this. Once this happens, then verse 17 will come to fruition, and we will see better results in fighting sex trafficking. 

Isaiah 1:16-17 are the mission verses of the Gateway to Freedom Foundation. We are committed to helping individuals and communities prioritize sexual health and purity and therefore put sex trafficking out of business.