Nicholas H. Dean
AFA Journal/Engage magazine staff writer
February 2016 – While many know the Salvation Army exclusively for its red collection kettles that decorate storefronts during the Christmas season, the international organization is and has always been a moving force for evangelism and justice. Founded in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth, SA began as a grassroots evangelism effort to connect the recently converted from London’s streets with its churches. Embodying James’ call for faith with good works, the army eventually grew, not only as an established source of the gospel but also as a source of humanitarian aid. And among its chief humanitarian endeavors is the fight against human trafficking.
“[The Salvation Army] has made fighting human and sexual trafficking one of its major initiatives because it is the Christ-like thing to do,” SA spokesperson Alesia Adams told one interviewer, “to help the men, women, and children who so desperately need services.” Adams is the army’s territorial services coordinator against human and sexual trafficking.
As Booth and his wife ministered to the culturally unwanted and forgotten of London’s streets, they became increasingly aware of the staggering prevalence of prostitution. Thus was born their outreach into London’s red light districts. Responding to the desperate needs of women and children involved in organized commercial sexual exploitation, SA began opening homes for women and girls and developing intensive rescue programs. Over the course of the next three decades, Salvation Army rescue homes grew from one to over one hundred. The organization also played a pivotal role in creating legislation to curb London’s sexual exploitation industry.
Adams verified that those same efforts continue today, fighting trafficking whether in the form of sexual or labor exploitation. This gross infringement on individual freedom has grown rapidly over the years, often accompanying the proliferation of international commerce and technology.
Today, human trafficking is the third largest international crime industry, and it reportedly generates a profit of $32 billion every year. But SA has grown and advanced in its commitment to challenge that industry and rescue its victims. Subsequently, with its international reach and wealth of resources, SA has distinguished itself on the front lines in the battle to abolish human trafficking around the world.
In order to accomplish this mission, the army raises funds and awareness; offers direct aid and care initiatives; hosts community outreach programs wherein Salvation Army connects with local organizations, community leaders, and law enforcement to recognize the signs and combat human trafficking; and continues to shine the light of the gospel into the darkness that tries to overshadow the world. 
About human trafficking
● Trafficking leads victims into prostitution, slavery or involuntary servitude, and the production of pornography.
● Trafficking is approximately 80% sexual exploitation and 20% labor exploitation.
● There are approximately 20 to 30 million slaves in the world today.
● 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders yearly, of which 80% are female and half are children.
● Between 14,500 and 17,500 people are trafficked into the U.S. each year.
● On average teens enter the sex trade in the U.S. at ages 12 to 14. Many are runaway girls who were sexually abused as children.
● California harbors 3 of the FBI’s 13 highest child sex trafficking areas in the nation: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.
● Globally, the average cost of a slave is $90.
For more information and to learn how to fight trafficking, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.
