The Biblical Worldview On The Human Trafficking

Choices to commit a crime, fight against crime, or generate justice for criminal acts are all motivated by our worldview. Incorporating a Christian worldview into the Criminal Justice approach allows you to view behavior and response through the lens of God's expectations. This perspective creates a path for envisioning reform and justice based upon the values and morals as God would apply them. Out worldview is generated by what we deem as important or valuable to us as individuals but also requires us to act with the intent of reaching a higher goal to fulfill our purpose. A biblical worldview requires decisions and behavior to have a purpose, and that our actions are a response to achieving this goal. Having a perspective through the lens of God does not mean that no individual is capable of doing wrong, nor does it imply that there is no sin. There is a crime, and there will always be sin, but the change must come from the individual's choice of how to interpret and respond to crime, not the situation. Human trafficking is a plague that deserves the attention of every agency and human being residing on this planet. “Currently, there are more than 20 million victims of human trafficking around the world. Human trafficking affects every corner of the earth, from rural to urban areas, regardless of a nation's wealth” (Center on Human Trafficking & Slavery, 2019).

Research on Human Sex trafficking varies in the focus of study, the approach to rectifying the problem and who should become the focus of study; victims or perpetrators. The demeanor of the writing on this topic ranges from emotional pleas to empirical data and research presentations. The articles “’ Kind Regards’: An examination of One Buyer’s Attempt to Purchase a Trafficked Child For Sex” ( 2017) and “You sell molly, I’ll Sell Holly” ( 2018) stand out from other articles because of their humanization of the issue. These articles create an empathic approach to garner the attention of the public. A majority of current research creates a perception of a global problem, that is one evoking feelings that “it could never happen to me”. But fails to emphasize the closeness it occupies in our communities. A majority of information in the articles focus on identifying victim characteristics and what makes an individual vulnerable or at risk, leading to further research on preventative measures or stricter legislation. What is failed to be communicated is the fact that this is happening to real human beings, and this is happening everywhere, it is an issue that should be noticed and acknowledged by the public.

The parable of the good samaritan in the gospel of Luke tells the story of our duty as Christians to help one another regardless of differences or familiarity. In the tale of the good samaritan, a man is left beaten and helpless on the side of the road. Two men pass by and continue without offering aid, but when a stranger, the samaritan, passes he stops to help the man, his neighbor in the eyes of the Lord. Christians have a responsibility to help one another and take action when it is called for. From a biblical perspective, we are responsible for one another and it is not an option to sit by while sin is committed. James 2:17 says In the same way, faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (NIV).The duty of righting a wrong and helping those who are oppressed lies within the Christian community to set an example and take action.

The literature tends to focus on Legislature for stricter and more encompassing punishment and preventative measures. Focus on these areas is essential to the battle against human trafficking, but where it lacks is providing cohesion between the different dynamics all working towards the same goal. The issue of human trafficking is overgeneralized as one against the legal system and government when the real target is the victim of the abuse. For example, the article by E Heil and A Nicols, “Hot spot trafficking: a theoretical discussion of the potential problems associated with targeted policing and the eradication of sex trafficking in the United States” points out the communication discrepancies in working towards eradication human trafficking. There is a lack of cohesion between legislation, policing, legal professionals and advocates who all have their budgets and agendas, while the fact that this is happening to innocent men women and children are put second. Luke 4:18 says “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind and to set the oppressed free”

Additionally, the current literature and research fail to respond to the assumption that Christianity has a war against human trafficking because there is an underlying bias for prostitution. Heil and Nichols point out in their article that there is an ideology indicating that victims of human trafficking are judged and they have no voice. Matthew 7:1-5 says, “Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you”.

The responsibility of ending human trafficking lies with every human on the planet, with no exceptions. To address the flaws in the approach to fighting human trafficking and the dynamics surrounding the process, some options can be employed. Technology Is increasing becoming a large part of the policing and legal professions approach to addressing and preventing human trafficking. This can be organized to generate awareness for the public through social media movements or inform the public of organizations they can join to make a difference (Center on Human Trafficking & Slavery, 2019). Additionally, it is important to learn the signs of individuals who are potential or current victims and how to report these through proper channels (Center on Human Trafficking & Slavery, 2019). At the forefront of this, it is important to focus heavily on rebuilding victims of human trafficking. Society has a responsibility to wholly ensuring their therapeutic recovery, and allowing them to have a voice in the justice system. A Christian worldview can motivate individuals to work beyond their comfort zone and give back to the community while influencing the justice system to acknowledge people as individuals and not statistics or laws. The responsibility lies with individuals, after all, “The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing” (Unknown).