How can churches respond to human trafficking?

The Freedom Framework defines the areas where churches can work with others for a comprehensive response to tackle human trafficking

On this page:

Safeguarding

The Freedom Framework

Freedom Sunday

Working collaboratively against human trafficking through partnership and sharing learning is the only way in which we can hope to bring an end to the issue. When considering the issue on our own it can seem overwhelming and our actions can seem insignificant. However, through working together and each playing our part, every step that we take will bring us closer towards living in a world free of human trafficking.  

The sections below contain some of the key frameworks and resources which churches can use to respond to the problemResponses will depend on the main issues affecting your community and the resources, skills and assets you have available.

 

Safeguarding

When considering what we can do to take action against the injustice of human trafficking we must consider carefully how to protect both ourselves and those being trafficked. Any response we decide to take must be carefully thought through to ensure we are thoroughly protecting the safety of all involved.  

Ensure that you know who holds responsibility for safeguarding within your church and that you are working with them when responding in any way to issues surrounding human trafficking.  

There may also be a helpline in your region which you could contact if you have any concerns about human trafficking 

 

The Freedom Framework 

The Anglican Alliance works within the ‘8P’ Freedom Framework to tackle human trafficking. The framework was initially based on the United Nations Palermo Protocol which sets out how countries can respond to trafficking. It has been further developed and adapted for the context of church responses through the collaboration of the Anglican Alliance and The Salvation Army.  

If churches partner with others to respond in all these areas, it provides a comprehensive framework to fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. Churches should build on their own unique context, opportunities and assets. Partnership is essential to work comprehensively, each actor working with their strengths. Churches can work in partnership with others, as appropriate to their context – in government, law enforcement, civil society, business, the media and other faiths – so that the overall response within countries is comprehensive.

The Freedom Framework uses ‘8Ps’:   

  • Prevention: reducing people’s vulnerability to being trafficked; building community resilience.
  • Protection: assisting and protecting people who have come out of trafficking, for example by providing safe houses or host families and access to psychological and livelihood support and avoiding re-trafficking 
  • Participation: mobilising faith communities to build awareness and to recognise and report the signs of trafficking; encouraging members of our communities to respond.  
  • Partnership: collaborating with others in different denominations and sectors, for example government, law enforcement, business, media and civil society; valuing others and recognising that we cannot all do everything, but we each have an important part to play.
  • Policy: ensuring that there is effective legislation against trafficking and that it is implemented, both at a state level and within our church structures; making sure communities know about such legislation. 
  • Prosecution: the effective prosecution of perpetrators that ensures traffickers are not allowed to continue what they are doing. 
  • Proof: ensuring that action is grounded in solid research and based on evidence; contributing to research.
  • Prayer: the unique element people of faith can bring. Prayer and worship can be used to focus our response to the problem and, where appropriate, can be helpful to survivors. As churches we cover all our work with prayer. 

For each of these areas, we have developed a set of principles, ideas and recommendations for how churches might respond. You can find these practice recommendations here.

These recommendations and principles have been developed and tested globally across different regions, but they should be reviewed and adapted for each unique context.

Freedom Sunday

Churches around the world are encouraged to identify a particular Sunday for worship, prayer and action to stop human trafficking.  Freedom Sunday is usually marked in the last part of the year, between 18 October, Anti-Human Trafficking Day and 2 December, which is the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.  But we encourage churches to raise awareness on any Sunday of the year. 

Churches plan their services around the issue of human trafficking and pray for victims, consumers, and those working in the area of anti-trafficking across the world. Churches make a commitment to work against human trafficking in their local area and to continue praying for those across the world who are affected by this issue and that freedom might come about. 

Join Freedom Sunday to raise awareness of the crime of human trafficking and show compassion for men, women and children who are trafficked and exploited. A variety of resources have been produced to equip churches to take part in this event.  

 

Freedom prayer  

Voice 1: On this holy ground of worship 

In this sacred place of prayer 

We have heard the voice of freedom 

Crying ‘Let my people go.’ 

All: Father/God of freedom, 

Who leads us into life, 

Deliver us from every evil: 

And make of us 

Deliverers of others. 

 

Voice 2: Where chains restrain God’s chosen children, 

Where humans trade in kin and skin, 

May our words pass on your promise, 

Of a land where liberty is sweet. 

All: Father/God of freedom, 

Who leads us into life, 

Deliver us from every evil: 

And make of us 

Deliverers of others. 

 

Voice 3: Give us faith to face the Pharaohs, 

Who line their pockets from this plague. 

Send us as salvation’s sponsors, 

Willing servants; slaves to love. 

All: Father/God of freedom, 

Who leads us into life, 

Deliver us from every evil: 

And make of us 

Deliverers of others. 

Amen