Trafficking report: “I come as one but I stand as ten thousand”

Sophie Otiende powerfully quoted Maya Angelo when she stated “I come as one but I stand as ten thousand”.  A survivor of human trafficking, Sophie from Kenya is now works tirelessly to assist other women to take their first steps to freedom.  Working in partnership with many others, she has developed victim assistance infrastructure, resources and practises that are seeing women come out of exploitative situations to begin life afresh. Sophie is one of ten people from around the world whose work has been recognised in this year’s newly released US Trafficking in Persons report.

Sophie Otiende

Speaking on behalf of the ten award recipients, Sophie reminded all of us that whilst we may now have different ways of describing the severe exploitation and entrapment of people, that such criminal activity has been with us since humanity began.  She challenged all of us who remotely attended the launch of the Trafficking in Persons  (TIP) report by stating that terminology means very little to those who are suffering from exploitation and entrapment. Last but not least she made it very clear that it was up to all of us to play our part!

Wherever we live, be it in the city or in rural areas, we are called to be vigilant and proactive. The importance of grass roots action in combatting all forms of trafficking and exploitation cannot be overestimated. All of us have a part to play!  It’s now being increasingly acknowledged that the role of churches in detecting and reporting such criminal activity, as well as offering support to those at risk, is vital.

Our diocese took this seriously last year when, after consulting with government and civil society, it took on the task of working in partnership with the Human Rights Commission to set up the Modern Slavery and Labour Exploitation Advisory Group.  A year later, and our diocese both facilitates and chairs this group.  This advisory group now plays a key role, and as such, is mentioned within our country’s narrative in this year’s TIP report.

So why did we become involved in the first place?  The Anglican Communion’s fourth Mark of Mission is very clear: it states that we are to “seek to transform unjust structures of society.”  As we bring justice close to us and our communities of faith, I believe it is best described as faithfulness to relationships; relationships that extend beyond the familiar to embrace all of God’s creation: both human and non-human.  Biblical justice therefore demands from us a response that is embedded in all we think, act or do.

I believe if we profess to be a follower of Christ, then justice is not an optional extra to be picked up or put down dependent on our priorities of the day.  Neither, I suggest, is justice something we stick on our prayer list, as something that’s out there – distant from us – something we add to our list of concerns that somehow is divorced from our daily priorities.

Justice is at the heart of the Gospel!

By Rev Chris Frazer

Rev Chris Frazer is our Deacon for Social Justice and represents us on the Advisory Group mentioned in this article.