Read this story about a pastor who was aware of the signs of human trafficking and made a difference.
"A young boy revealed to his pastor that his mother adopted him and his sister so they could work and earn money for her.
A 16-year-old Vietnamese boy confided in his pastor that he was kidnapped as a child and adopted through an unlicensed agency. His cousin, who was now 17 years old, was sold to the same adoption agency. The boy and his cousin, whom he now called his sister, were adopted by a woman in Missouri and came to consider her their mother.
The pastor eventually probed for more information, and the boy revealed that his mother adopted him and his sister so they could work and earn money for her. The boy delivered newspapers, washed dishes at a restaurant, and occasionally worked on construction projects, while the girl cleaned at a nearby hotel and was responsible for all of the domestic work in the family’s home. The boy and the girl had to give their mother all of their wages, and if they did not earn enough, she berated them and physically punished them.
Concerned about the boy, the pastor called the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC). The NHTRC Call Specialist connected the pastor to a local organization with experience serving foreign national minors including victims of human trafficking, and to a Child Protection Specialist in HHS’ Anti-trafficking in Persons Office to act as a resource for the pastor and the youth. The boy received shelter, medical assistance and other services from the organization and is currently living in a safe foster home away from his adopted mother." Story taken from here.
Just one call to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center's HOTLINE saved this boy from a life of slavery. Call 1-888-3737-888 to report a tip!
Stay tuned for more posts with information about identifying a victim of human trafficking and/or modern-day slavery.
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