A society that devalues human life by participating in and pardoning human trafficking is a society that values power, money, and the lusts of the flesh over human decency, freedom, and the sanctity of life. When a society becomes apathetic to the suffering of others, then groups of people are devalued, despised, objectified and exploited to greater degrees of depravity — breaking down families and communities. The result is a vulnerable, unhealthy and traumatized society.
Trafficking and exploitation affects the body, soul and spirit. Survivors must battle ongoing effects of both physical, emotional and psychological trauma. Many deal with PTSD, depression, chemical imbalances, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, gender confusion, sexual addictions and thoughts of suicide, on top of the physical trauma their bodies face from ongoing abuse, starvation, STDs and other gynecological health problems. Understanding and perspective on topics such as trust, faith, safety, love, protection, future and God are all affected.
Even when survivors are removed from the exploitation, physically safe and surrounded by love, there is still much trauma in the transition and everyday life. Often survivors live either in a constant state of fight or flight or completely detached and shut down. Emotions that have been repressed come flooding back as grief is processed. There are layers to the healing process with many breakthroughs and set-backs. For many survivors what they want the most, they often reject in the beginning. The cycles of shame, addiction and abandonment have to be broken and identity must be rewritten. Survivors must learn how to function within a family and society, how to receive love, how to ask for help, live safe and how to trust. The healing journey is long and painful for trafficking survivors and can at times feel hopeless. However, we believe God is able to do the impossible.
“A primary wound for survivors of exploitation and trafficking is abandonment and rejection. Although they have endured horrors and repeated trauma that is difficult to even imagine, all of the ones we have worked with share that their deepest pain is separation from family, rejection from loved ones, and emotional and physical abuse at the hands of family members.”
The impact of trafficking and exploitation to some degree affects everyone and therefore, everyone must stand against the evils and help others heal. We believe that anti-trafficking work is not just an NGO-thing. Ezekiel Rain is empowering nationals to create healing communities where churches, families, businesses, schools and medical providers identify and connect with those in need. Daily, we are helping people understand trauma and its effects while sharing tools and resources that will promote safety, healing and wholeness.