In-10se is a ministry of Baptist Friendship House that seeks to create awareness about the issue of domestic human trafficking, advocate on behalf of victims and assist survivors with needed resources.
Awareness
The first step in the fight against human trafficking is awareness. Human trafficking is a real problem and affects everyone. It does not happen just in other countries; it happens here, in the U.S. According to the Federal Government, human trafficking is: The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for-
- Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or
- Labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.
- Human trafficking is a 32.6 billion dollar industry; it is the second largest criminal industry in the U.S. and the largest in the world.(Polaris Project)
- One-third of teens living on the street are lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. (Shared Hope International)
- The FBI lists I-10 as the most used U.S. interstate for human trafficking. (TraffickStop)
Advocacy
Advocacy exists at various levels. BFH is partnering with other agencies to assist with making laws stricter in regards to human trafficking. By following the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) guidelines, we are encouraging the protection of victims, prevention of human trafficking and the prosecution of the trafficker. BFH is committed to the prevention of people being trafficked by training community groups, law enforcement, churches, etc. about the harsh reality that human trafficking exists.
Assistance
Survivors of human trafficking need a variety of assistance. Individuals must start with prayer. Pray and ask God how He might use you in this ministry. Pray for those involved in human trafficking. Pray for the one's that are buying the victims.
Basic needs must also be assessed and provided. There is a need for safe houses, funding for transportation of survivors home or to the safe houses, legal assistance, or medical appointments. Food, hygiene, etc. may also be needed.
Educational needs such as GED, literacy, English as a Second Language, etc may also be needed. Other skills like job readiness can help an individual transition in to steady employment and gain independence.
Please see the "How You Can Help" page to view our current needs list.
For other information regarding human trafficking, see our "Links" page.
Basic needs must also be assessed and provided. There is a need for safe houses, funding for transportation of survivors home or to the safe houses, legal assistance, or medical appointments. Food, hygiene, etc. may also be needed.
Educational needs such as GED, literacy, English as a Second Language, etc may also be needed. Other skills like job readiness can help an individual transition in to steady employment and gain independence.
Please see the "How You Can Help" page to view our current needs list.
For other information regarding human trafficking, see our "Links" page.
