Articles

Human trafficking is a complex issue that impacts victims in a multitude of ways. Labor, drugs, and sex trafficking are the trafficking categories we hear about most. Labeled as modern-day slavery, it was estimated that in 2019 there were over 50 million people around the world being trafficked in some manner. 

Women who are victims of trafficking face unimaginable abuse including abortion largely used as birth control. The physical and emotional toll is a tragedy most of us can’t imagine, and we are thankful for that. 

The pro-life perspective is that every one of these babies' lives should be spared. Yet, we’ll be countered with the argument that a woman shouldn’t be forced to have a baby conceived from sexual abuse, and how the baby would just be abused and trafficked. As though death by abortion is justified as a way to protect the unborn. 

Pursuing life is one of the few ways a woman being trafficked might be able to retain her dignity, and it is a way we can change the narrative so she understands she and her baby have invaluable worth. 

In a study conducted by U.S. Department of State, it was determined that over 55% of trafficked women had at least one abortion, while most had multiple abortions. One woman reported having seventeen abortions. The tragedy of these lost lives is magnified due to the conditions in which they were both conceived and aborted. Female victims of trafficking endure physical, psychological, and emotional abuse from the acts of violence against them perpetrated by their abusers and in the abortions forced on them. 

There is no “my body, my choice” discussion in human trafficking. There is no freedom, there is no personal opinion or values at hand. There is only violence and fear. When the pro-abortion side demands free, legal abortion on demand, they’re missing the autonomy of the most vulnerable. 

Imagine, if abortion were to be illegal and doctors held accountable if they perform an abortion? These women who lost all their freedoms might be saved sooner from trafficking and could avoid another act of violence against them. The money in trafficking is made by supply and demand. If abortion weren’t so readily available, the supply declines making it more difficult for traffickers to meet the demand. 

Could it be that limiting or banning abortion could not only save the lives of babies, but also the lives of trafficking victims?

If doctors, pregnancy center workers, shelter workers, and others who may come into contact with trafficking victims gained the education and resources for not only identifying these victims but also how to act immediately to save them, then they could be moved into safe houses and removed from their captor’s clutches.

One way you can help is to call on your local resources to receive this identification and response training. We are working with our teams nationally to understand and identify victims of trafficking and what to do in these situations. The women and children being exploited by these abusers rely on us to help them, even though they may not say it out loud. 

We believe in hope, empowerment, and the dignity of every human life, regardless of the circumstances of conception. The foundation is empathy and empathy comes through understanding. When we are willing to step out of our comfort zone to truly understand what these victims endure, only then can we step into meaningful ways to make a life-altering impact for women and their babies.