The movement to abolish modern day slavery requires help from all people, but there is one group that holds a unique and very powerful role that is instrumental to stopping human trafficking.
Men.
The movement to abolish modern day slavery requires help from all people, but there is one group that holds a unique and very powerful role that is instrumental to stopping human trafficking.
Men.
The role of men in human trafficking is complex because it comes with the most baggage. Men are most often the perpetrators in human trafficking cases.
“It’s real easy when you start to dig into what this (sex trafficking) is and why it happens, every finger points right at men,” said Tomas Perez, director of the Epik Project, an organization focused on engaging men in the fight to end child prostitution in America.
Sex traffickers use various avenues in the sex industry to further their exploitation including pornography, strip clubs, and prostitution. It is not uncommon for men to use pornography or frequent strip clubs without any idea that the people they are viewing could potentially be victims.
“If you talk about supply-and-demand and porn, pretty soon men start to have a hard time because the struggle with sexual addiction and porn is epidemic,” said Perez. “So, men shut down because of (the) shame.”
Men are natural fighters. Their instinct is to protect and serve. This is evident based on the idolized heroes of our time. From war heroes and firefighters to Batman and Gladiator, we revel at the strength of man. Currently, that strength is being compromised. However, there is hope.
“The vulnerable are being oppressed by the powerful and men have the power to change that if they come together and engage others,” said Perez.
It is easy to remain silent and complicit because of shame, but there is greater influence when men choose to stand against sexual exploitation of other men, women and children. If men have the ability to instigate a tragedy as horrific as modern day slavery, then there is even greater authority when men come together and oppose it.
“We’ve all been so tolerant of this exploitation, we have to fight it together, ” said Perez.
Whether male or female, all people need to be educated about human trafficking, the victims, the perpetrators, and the places it can be found. The power of influential change isn’t solely in the hands of men, but rather men and women need to work together as a united force.
For more information on ways to become involved in the abolition of human trafficking, look at the organizations below.
