What Can We Do to Help?

Five years ago, my daughters and soon-to-be son-in-law's burden for trafficked victims spoke to my heart. At the time, I was brainstorming a story line for my third book in the Born for India trilogy. Listening to my children share stories of victims convinced me that I wanted to build awareness for this horrific crime against humanity. Thus, Chosen Ones was born profiling Punita, an eleven-year-old Nepali girl unknowingly sold to a trafficker by her father.

Since that time, awareness has grown. We now know that not only is trafficking a serious issue in other countries, but also in America. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, human trafficking is the second largest area of organized crime after drug trafficking. Every ten minutes a woman or child is trafficked into the U.S. Every year, 200,000 American girls are at risk for sex trafficking. Every day, 3000-5000 children are being sold or lured into prostitution.

What can you do to help?

1) Read my book, Chosen Ones, then pass it along to someone else or donate the book to your church library.

2) Chosen Ones lists a plethora of resources that can help you put feet to your burden. I support a girl through Destiny Rescue. She is my third girl who's been rescued and placed in a Safe House for counseling, education, and a gospel witness.

3) Contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center if you think someone you know is being trafficked. Victims can also contact the center at 1-888-373-7888.

4) Pay attention to those around you. Children most vulnerable to traffickers are runaways, abused and neglected children, foster kids,and those coming out of women's shelters or detention facilities. Consider serving as a mentor to a girl who fits this profile.

5) Most of all, pray!

And please remember my youngest daughter and her husband training to minister to sex trafficked children.