$236 billion dollars, 27 million, 80%, 50 million
What do these numbers have in common?
They are all human trafficking statistics.
Human trafficking is a $236 billion dollar industry. (International Labour Organization, 2024)
27 million women and girls are currently trafficked globally. (ILO, Walk free Foundation and IOM, 2022)
80% of all sex trafficking victims in Venezuela are migrant women and girls (U.S. Department of State, 2022)
50 million is the estimated number of people still enslaved today. (ILO, Walk free Foundation and IOM, 2022)
These numbers feel impossibly big and overwhelming. Which is where Dressember and International Justice Mission come in.
This is my fourth year participating in Dressember. Dressember was founded by Blythe Hill. She heard about the devastating issue of human trafficking and wanted to help. In 2009 she wore a dress every day in December to raise money and awareness to help fight human trafficking. Since then, Dressember has expanded to include thousands of people across the world. The Dressember challenge is two fold – to show that you can do anything in a dress (or tie) including fundraise and to raise awareness about human trafficking. Those who participate are not just encouraged to wear dresses/ties and raise funds, but to post information about trafficking on social media and wear “Ask me about my dress/tie” buttons to facilitate conversation about this issue.
All of the funds raised by Dressember this year will go to International Justice Mission (IJM), a global organization that protects people in poverty from violence. They partner with local authorities in 33 program offices in 19 countries to combat trafficking and slavery, violence against women and children and police abuse of power.
For a year and a half (June 2018 - November 2019) I was an Aftercare Fellow for IJM in South Asia. This office’s focus was fighting against sex trafficking. I saw first-hand the amazing work IJM is doing. They are holistic in their approach – from investigation to rescue to prosecuting perpetrators to aftercare programs that facilitate restoration of survivors. They are data driven and put a heavy emphasis on training law enforcement, prosecutors, aftercare providers, etc. with the goal being to not be needed anymore. They want to see trafficking numbers decrease but also want to transfer skills and knowledge to change systems internally to make long lasting impacts. And it’s working! In a recent study it was found that IJM reduced slavery and violence by 50% to 85% in nine different jurisdictions around the world.
So that’s the big picture. Taking it to a more personal level is the story of Joy (a pseudonym.) Her aunt sexually exploited her online, but with IJM’s help, local authorities arrested Joy’s aunt and rescued her and others. I have provided the links to the video of her story (Joy's Story- Youtube) as well as the written account (Read Joy's Story). Please be advised that while done tastefully, the subjects of abuse and sexual abuse are discussed. It is hard to watch and read, an uncomfortable truth to be sure. But I think it’s important to not just be aware of the statistics and the incredible work of Dressember and IJM, but to know a true story of a girl who experienced horrific abuse, was rescued and is now a licensed social worker and a member of the Philippine Survivor Network.
But statistics and personal stories aside, the true driving force that propels me to action is that God has a heart for justice. Here are just a few verses that reflect this:
Amos 5:24
But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Micah 6:8
And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?
Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
I hope this blog post brings awareness to this issue but also that it stirs in you a desire to get involved in helping it end. As the founder of IJM, Gary Haugen, stated “Nothing happens just because we are aware of modern day slavery, but nothing will ever happen until we are.”
And if you’d like to find out more, please message me in the Comments section below. I’d be glad to chat anytime.
ABOUT THE BLOGGER
Danielle (Dani) Rupp grew up in a small town in Ohio and is a true Buckeye fan, though she tries not to be obnoxious about it. In 2011 she came to PA to earn her Master of Social Work degree. After graduation Dani accepted a position as a mental health therapist for children and adolescents in Coatesville. She was a nanny for several years as well. During that time she lived in Kennett Square and attended Willowdale Chapel. She returned several years ago from South Asia where she learned to tolerate spicy food and cross the roads without being hit, as well as volunteered with International Justice Mission in their Aftercare Department. In her free time, Dani enjoys going on mission trips/traveling, running, reading, and connecting with loved ones—preferably over coffee and a sweet treat.