The Impact of Legal Troubles on Human Trafficking Survivors

When human trafficking survivors are rescued, they often find themselves entangled in legal issues that create a new form of bondage. In some extreme cases, like that of Cyntoia Brown-Long, these victims become perpetrators before being rescued, making their path to redemption even more challenging. Cyntoia was tried as an adult and convicted of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery for crimes against a 43-year-old man who allegedly hired her for sex when she was only 16.

Even those who don’t commit overt crimes can still face legal proceedings that jeopardize their newfound freedom. Nate Klapper, an attorney and federal law enforcement officer, founded The Joseph Project after hearing the harrowing story of D’Lynn, a woman who was sexually exploited in Detroit and left to die by her pimp. Since she lacked insurance, her hospital bills accumulated, putting her at risk of a lawsuit. Nate connected her with legal counsel, ensuring both she and the hospital received compensation, allowing her to move forward with her life. In an interview with Jordan Raynor, Nate explains that he named the nonprofit organization after the biblical story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery in Egypt by his own brothers. The central theme of this narrative is freedom from bondage and exploitation, making it especially relevant to the cause.

Tamar, King David’s daughter and Absalom’s sister, experienced a tragic story of injustice. Her half-brother Amnon devised a plan to lure her into his tent and rape her. Although David was aware of the incident and enraged, he failed to take any steps toward seeking justice. Perhaps he was hesitant to hold Amnon accountable due to his own indiscretions or conflicted emotions as a father.

Observing the absence of justice, Absalom took matters into his own hands and had Amnon killed. This conflict escalated to the point where it posed a threat to David’s kingdom, all because the issue was left unaddressed.

Tamar, originally born a princess, spent the remainder of her life as a desolate woman, confined to Absalom’s house. Proverbs 13:23 wisely states, “Abundant food is in the uncultivated ground of the poor, but it is swept away by injustice.” In Tamar’s case, the problem was systemic, depriving her of any path to justice. It is precisely these types of issues that God calls us to confront, ensuring that every person He created can experience abundance in their lives.

As Tim Mackie elaborates in his message on Ephesians 6:12, the struggle is not against individuals, but against the dark spiritual forces that manipulate them. Our instinct as humans is to direct our anger towards specific individuals, but by doing so, we miss the essence of the problem, causing people to become defensive, and perpetuating the situation. In contrast, recognizing that the root cause lies in these spiritual forces allows us to unite in exposing and addressing the underlying factors that perpetuate oppression.