There has to be a way to end Human Trafficking

As our editorial team is putting the finishing touches on our emagazine focused on Human Trafficking, the stories of the women I have read over the past few weeks weigh heavily in my mind. A memory has surfaced that has been tucked away since the summer of 2000.

My husband and I had been traveling through SE Asia after our 2 years in Peace Corps Mongolia. Being adventurous, and more than slightly foolish, we had decided to cross illegally into Laos from Cambodia along the Mei Kong River. Our last night in Cambodia was spent in a small river town with little to offer, especially to travelers.

So there we were. In a tiny town in a part of Cambodia that we were not supposed to be in - the region was still known for Khmer Rouge activity. And staying in the same place as us was a white man with two Cambodian children. I remember Shawn and I feeling uneasy and apprehensive. What was he doing there with those children? Why did he feel so "shifty" to us.

A possible answer is obvious. We'd been traveling up and around the Mei Kong for days and hadn't seen any other "white people." Travelers were not even supposed to be where we were. And he was extremely unfriendly. My sister has adopted 2 children from China. I know the joy parents feel when their dream of having a child is realized. This man showed no joy. And he looked dangerous. Like ex-military.

At the time, I do not think I really knew that Human Trafficking still existed in the world. Even though I think we both instinctively knew what was likely going on, and may have even said it, what it really could have meant for those children infiltrates every cell in my body as I sit here typing with one hand and nursing Jonah with the other.

Surely there must be a way to end Human Trafficking.

Will you join me in the conversation? There are 2 groups here on PulseWire devoted to this evil.

Human Trafficking: http://beta.pulsewire.net/groups/589
Trade Justice to Help End Slavery: http://beta.pulsewire.net/groups/1127

Here the questions I want to discuss:

1. Your big idea for ending human trafficking.


2. What is most needed to enable anti-trafficking groups to work together and powerfully make an impact?


3. How can survivors have an earth shaking voice in the anti-trafficking movement?