Stepping Out of the Traffick

CONTENTS:

Forewords
Elaine Storkey and Dan B Alexander xi
Dedication and Acknowledgements xvii

Introduction: Why This Book?
Introduction to This Book (Christa Foster Crawford) 1
About This Book (Glenn Miles) 13
Background of This Book (Bill Prevette) 19
Reflections on This Book (Haddon Willmer) 27

Part I
Seeing Sexual Exploitation in Scripture

1. Seeing What “The-God-Who-Sees” Sees: How Tamar “The Righteous Prostitute” Helps Anti-Trafficking Organizations Recognize Dehumanizing Preconceptions and Resist Exploitative Depictions (Christa Foster Crawford and Bryon Lippincott) 33

2. Making A Way When There Is No Way: Voices of Women in Prostitution in Ethiopia –A Theology of Lament (Jennifer Singh) 55

3. Striking Patterns of Sin in Narratives of Sexual Violence
(Andrew J Schmutzer) 70

4. Crucifixion and Sexual Abuse: A Theological Resource for Addressing Sexual Exploitation (David Tombs) 83

5. Sexual Exploitation and the Meaning of Authority (Glenn M Harden and Leslie Harley) 100

6. Kintsugi for a Battered Soul: Enhancing and Restoring Human Dignity after Sexual Exploitation (Joni L. Middleton) 115

7. Connecting a Missional Reading of Psalm 10 with the Trafficking, Abuse, and Exploitation of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children in Europe (Tim Davy) 135

8. Scandalous Prayer: Lament as Protest in an Intertextual Reading of Lamentations 1 and 2 and the Documentary Film Pray the Devil Back to Hell (Amanda Avila Kaminski) 155

Part II
Thinking Theologically about Sexual Exploitation

9. Exploring Kingdom of God Theology in Anti-Trafficking Work (Leah Edwards) 183

10. Modern Slavery, Trauma, and Holy Saturday: Theological and Pastoral Responses (Dan Pratt) 200

11. Picture This: How Christian Organizations Envision and
Portray Survivors of Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking
(Siobhan Miles and Jill Reimer) 215

12. The Story of Joseph and What We Can Learn about Trafficking, Sexual Abuse, and Resilience of Young Men (Glenn Miles, Jarrett Davis and Hannah Sworn) 236

13. “Too Much Is Not Enough”: A Theological Reflection on Consumer Culture (Heike Lippmann) 260

14. Becoming a Refuge: Sex Trafficking and the People of God (Myrto Theocharous) 268

Part III
Raising Our Response to Sexual Exploitation

15. “Though No-One Understands My Feelings, But There Is God”: Journeys of Faith for Survivors of Sex Trafficking in Cambodia (Vanntheary Lim, Glenn Miles and Channtha Nhanh) 287

16. Forgiveness and Sexual Exploitation: A Multi-Disciplinary Reflection (Stephanie Goins) 306

17. The Biblical Story of Tamar as a Child Rape Awareness Tool (Genevieve James) 327

18. Parents as Agents in Countering Child Sexual Exploitation (Haddon Willmer) 344

19. Ministering to Hijra: The Challenge of Ambiguity
(Carl Jylland-Halverson and Timothy Gaikwad) 363

20. “Reserved for a Special Place in Hell”: Perpetrators Who Abuse: What Is the Place of Forgiveness, Healing, Hope? (Samantha Miller and Glenn Miles) 378

Contributors 397

ABOUT THE EDITORS:

Christa Foster Crawford, JD, is an international expert in human trafficking and sexual exploitation with more than 25 years of grassroots and policy experience in Thailand and around the globe. As founder of Freedom Resource International, she spends her time teaching, training, writing and speaking about how to help the anti- trafficking movement have more strategic and effective impact. She also co-chairs the Joint Learning Initiative’s Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Hub and is Specialist with the Payap University Center on Human Rights Law. Her previous experience includes heading anti-trafficking organizations including Chab Dai and International Justice Mission’s Thailand Justice Center, co-founding Just Food Inc., an early pioneer in Freedom Business, and writing a book on how to use the law to combat human trafficking for the United Nations. Christa teaches graduate courses for Fuller Seminary and Multnomah University, and has authored and edited numerous books, chapters, and articles. Christa holds a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School and a BA in Philosophy & Public Affairs from Claremont McKenna College. www.freedomresource.org

Glenn Miles, PhD, is an international expert on human trafficking, sexual exploitation and child welfare, with more than 30-years experience in Southeast Asia. He pioneered several international NGOs in Cambodia and helped to develop a series of toolkits for children to reduce sexual exploitation (e.g.www.goodtouchbadtouchflipchart.org). A senior researcher with the Global Association of Human Trafficking Scholars, Glenn has conducted research into demand, including porn use, and has led multiple studies on the vulnerabilities of sexually exploited children/young people (including boys, young men and transgender people) in partnership with up! Collective International and other organizations. In addition to his academic research, Glenn has published numerous books, workbooks and other resources to improve the practice of grassroots workers. He is academic advisor for the Chab Dai Longitudinal Butterfly Research Project and teaches courses for graduate programs in Asia. In addition to his PhD in Childhood Studies, he is a graduate of All Nations
Christian College where he received a Diploma in Biblical, Cross Cultural and Pastoral Studies. www.gmmiles.co.uk

Bill Prevette, PhD, is a mission scholar and practitioner. His research focuses on youth and children at risk in the developing world. He also conducts studies on human trafficking and interventions, urban research, community development, and Pentecostalism in global mission. Bill is currently serving as the Mission Scholar in Residence at Vanguard University. He and his wife, Ky, are appointed missionaries to Europe with the Assemblies of God World Mission. Stepping 398 Out of the Traffick He is a member of several international not-for-profit boards and a technical advisor to faith-based organisations in the United States, Romania, Moldova, Cambodia, and Africa. He regularly teaches academic seminars and lectureships. Bill has a PhD from with Oxford Centre for Mission Studies and a MA from the Fuller School of World Mission.

QUESTIONS TO THE EDITORS ABOUT THE BOOK:

1. Why did you decide to write your book?
The Addressing Trafficking Trilogy of books was written to fill a gap in understanding how God is deeply concerned for modern day slaves and trafficked people. We wanted to help to do that involving practitioners, academics and theologians.
Christa and I edited this third volume:
a) because there is ongoing demand from the faith based community to have a solid Biblical understanding of why it is important to understand and address slavery and human trafficking.
b) we are both networkers and we want to get it out as widely as possible through our global networks.


2. What is distinctive about content of your book?
It is written by and for practitioners, academics and practitioners. It is written from a broad range of churchmanship. We have included, where possible, authors from around the globe. We have explored sexual exploitation and other forms of slavery.
The previous 2 volumes were successfully sold demonstrating a demand for these kind of resources. There has also been increasing desire for solid academic training in seminaries around the World. These will provide good textbooks and resources.

3. Why is this subject important?
Around half of those organisations working in the anti trafficking sphere are Christian NGOs or Christian inspired. In addition a number of Christians work in he other non Christian organisations. There is a thirst to know that God is on our side and be reminded that He has a particular concern for trafficked people and wants to be part of their healing and restoration.
We are commanded to care for widows, orphans and the most vulnerable. These books provide Theological and practical suggestions of good practice for the anti-trafficking movement. Around 50% of Anti-trafficking NGOs are Faith based or inspired.

4. What difference would this book make for the ministry?
For a long time the focus of the anti-trafficking ministry was focused on understanding why addressing slavery was important. These books take it to the next level. Understanding a Christian response to different ways of approaching human trafficking including listening and involving survivors in their own rehabilitation and healing.
Over the past ten years the anti-trafficking movement has become less spontaneously responded to into more careful and thoughtful work. These books contribute to the discussions.

5. Feel free to add anything else you find relevant.
Please check the introductory section of the Pausing in the Traffick to get a more detailed understanding of how the book has been edited.

Stepping Out of the Traffick is breathtaking. Each chapter is a rich tapestry of theory, theology, biblical acumen, and practicality. Each chapter in its own way, drawing from divergent theological frames of reference, is a work of art that offers ultimately a reflection on the goodness of God found in the person of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Dan B. Allender, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, Founding President and Professor

Holistic theological probing is evident throughout this book and we find ourselves rethinking freedom and forgiveness and what these mean in the lives of those who suffer. Stepping Out of the Traffick offers us the opportunity to pause and seize the chance to create new pathways for Christians that are more ethical, more empowering, more effective. It is an opportunity not to be missed and this outstanding book provides a resource which is second to none.
Dr. Elaine Storkey, Oxford Scholar, BBC Broadcaster, and Past President of Tearfund

What a much-needed resource this book is! It is a timely reminder to all involved in anti-trafficking of the importance of regularly pausing and reflecting on what
we are doing, and the importance of having our response anchored in a solid theological foundation. The Triangle around which this book is structured provides a framework for ministry reflection; a framework that not only enables us to better understand the problems we are up against in anti-trafficking, but how our theology impacts our response, and how we can integrate this
knowledge and understanding to ensure more focused and effective ministry. This is a book that will ensure the anti-trafficking movement is fully equipped to continue the fight and bring freedom to all. There is much here to pause and reflect upon.
Sarah Scott Webb, SIM “For Freedom” Co-Director & Founder and World Evangelical Alliance, Mission Commission Anti-Trafficking Synergist

Whether you are new or have worked in the anti-trafficking movement for many years, this book invites you to go deeper than you have gone before, to consider
and re-consider the issues around trafficking and its responses, and to be deeply challenged in your understanding and own response to it. Stepping Out of the Traffick is deeply rooted in the challenges that the Bible poses to us as we look at freedom in the lives of victims and ourselves.
Binia Nightingale, former Consultant for the Anti-Trafficking Movement in Asia

Sexual exploitation and trafficking may be out of our sight most of the time, but it affects all – directly or indirectly. As we step out of the traffick and reflect on our responses, may we learn rhythms to participate in God’s calling to mercy, justice, peace and hope for all. Around the world, awareness and concern for Stepping ii Out of the Traffick people caught in trafficking has grown, and through reading this book many will be equipped to hear the nudge of God, pause and become inspired practitioners.
Ruth Robb, Azalea, CEO & Co-Founder

I am a firm believer in knowledge equals responsibility! Therefore, no Christians working in this sector of human trafficking and modern slavery have any excuse to not having access to thoughtful, professional and deeply researched topics that are able to contribute to our responses, whether those are within non-profits,
communities or churches. Packed with theological and practical content, this book presents a wide range of contexts and perspectives, challenging our own
paradigms and norms and pushing us to reframe our responses and programs. As Christians in this movement, it is crucial for us to be humbler and more open – to take a critical look at the language we use, the theological frameworks we have never questioned, and the power imbalances that we perpetrate.
Helen Sworn, Chab Dai, Founder and Former Executive Director

Stepping Out of the Traffick is an important and timely book for anyone who does anti-trafficking work or is interested in it. As the editors state, “what we do matters.” This book deeply and deftly explores how our understanding of sexual exploitation and our theology (or the “why we do what we do”) is vital to forming a better, more holistic, and dignified response to exploitation. I love the deep theological reflections found throughout the book and how the authors apply these reflections to all aspects of our approach to doing anti-trafficking work. It
is very easy for us to put our heads down and focus on the hard work we do and forget to pause and reflect on how or why we are doing it. This book calls us to
slow down for a moment, look up, and readjust what we do to better align with why we do it. It has given me so much to ponder. I give this book my wholehearted recommendation.
Brian Leak, WorldVenture Global Anti-Trafficking Team, European Liaison

Stepping Out of the Traffick is a powerful resource that presents the interplay of theology, issues of sexual exploitation, and response in a creative way. It highlights that each person’s way of engaging in the solution to sexual trafficking is significant. Great care was taken in the composition of the contributors: voices of experts all over the world. While reading the book, I was able to hear the voices of the survivors of exploitation. It was a sacred experience. Understanding trafficking in the perspectives of practitioners, theologians, and academicians provides a cognitive dissonance that urges readers to be keener at reading the Scriptures with new lenses. The book paints unapologetically the horrible conditions that many women, children, and men have suffered in the hands of
the unmerciful; however, it also brilliantly portrays that there is freedom in Jesus Christ! The book issues out a clarion call to all people in authority – police, pastors, practitioners in government, non-government and faith-based organizations, theologians, and the universal church – to be Jesus’ hands and feet to the exploited, to the abused, to the downtrodden!
Dr. Nativity A. Petallar, Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary, Associate Dean of PhD Studies

Any attempt to make a positive and lasting social impact on the complexities of human trafficking and related human rights violations cannot be done without an
ongoing reflection and inquiry into the worldviews that inform our humble attempts to support individual survivors. Stepping Out of the Traffick makes this ongoing reflection and inquiry possible by challenging the status quo and preconceived ideas, and by keeping the questions open.
Dr. Stephen Morse, Unchained Solutions, CEO

This book should be prescribed reading for students and the entire public, private and civil society sectors that work to end human trafficking, including seminary students and missions organisations. “Selah”, to pause and reflect, describes the impact this timely book made on me. Written from the heart of people who count
the cost and remain committed to giving their best to the most vulnerable, it charges us to engage with the Dance of The Triangle of theology, practice and sexual exploitation. Let's allow the words of this book to dance in our hearts. Faith challenges us to say, "Yes" to bearing authentic love, compassion, and commitment to the freedom journey of those we serve. Faith mobilises us,
despite our own brokenness. God’s love compels us to assess the relevance and quality of our service. Human trafficking can only be effectively addressed if we
choose to bridge the gaps between our silos, choose to step out of the boots that keep us stuck, choose to think, plan and work like God – creative, compassionate and consistent.
Anita du Plessis, Freedom Ports Alliance, Executive Director

Stepping Out of the Traffick challenges the Christian community to take a fresh look at trafficking of persons, pausing for a time and learning about the theology of the topic in order to ‘do good work better.’ The variety of authors help readers to see the context of the biblical person described in a new way, revealing the full horror of the abuse the person has suffered, and giving a deeper
understanding, not only about the biblical person, but also about our response to people who similarly suffer today. The challenge to us, as we read through the chapters of the book, is: How do we see and reach out to the exploited and the exploiters in our places and ministries with a new, theologically-informed view. The book’s theological reflections and case studies, as well as the
reflection questions at the end of every chapter, help individuals as well as churches to reconsider their response to trafficking and empower them to get involved in a healthy manner.
Dr. Barbara Rüegger, World Without Orphans Europe

If you’ve ever been stuck (in a problem, a relationship, a thought, or anything else) and could not get out, you would know what it means to be helpless and even desperate. If you’ve ever known and truly understood what sexual exploitation is (or worse – have ever experienced it yourself), you would want to seek and find ways of stepping out of the routine and trying to contribute to ending it. This is what this book offers its readers: stepping out of the traffick of sexual exploitation and offering a genuine Christian response in resolving its
devastating consequences both for individuals and the society in general. Although it offers a Christian response, it can benefit everyone who has a heart for the vulnerable and exploited. I’m delighted to commend this account which faithfully considers the various theological and practical responses to sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Valentin Kozhuharov, International Association for Mission Studies, Chair of Academic Committee and Executive Committee Member

The great strength of Stepping Out of the Traffick is that it not only faces up to complexities of the field of sexual exploitation and explores the responsive disciplines and services designed to combat it; it also insists on a third
component: Christian theology. The book seeks to show the many ways in which faith can fruitfully interact with the other components, not to establish some form of control, but rather through living a life rooted in prayer, which opens up the truth of our limited and frail human situation, and calls us to stand with and for others, so enabling a mutual giving and patiently sensing the right direction towards a horizon of genuine hope. This is a challenge to those, whether Christian or of another persuasion, who would confine the faith to a private
ghetto. Whilst the book commits to working with the secular world, it is at the same time a critique of its prevailing assumption that all problems can be solved
by calculations of utility, and a vital contribution to a far deeper response to the God who has taken responsibility for the world’s mess in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Alan M. Suggate, Durham University, Department of Theology, Senior Lecturer (past) and Pace UK, Board of Trustees Secretary

Many organizations have opened their doors to help people who have experienced horrific sexual harm in the twenty years since the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. The bulk of these organizations
are faith based and there has been much good work done. Now is a time to step back and pause to ask good questions: Where is God in this work? How do we see Him moving? How is He guiding us in this work and what steps are needed for us to see as He sees? The contributors to this book include practitioners, theologians, and scholars who have spent years in the anti-trafficking field. Not
only have they been ‘boots on the ground’ but they have also thought deeply about this work. In this book, they have stepped back, thought, reflected and written through their individual lenses, deeply weaving and integrating theology into the issue of trafficking for us to pause, read, and savor. This book brings together both story and biblical text. For those of us that have worked in this field for many years, we know the stories, but to weave those stories into a deeper framework alongside the biblical text makes them come alive with a depth of
color and humanity that can sometimes become lost. These chapters will encourage and invite the reader to hunger for more – more of God. It is He who is able to bring about the impossible (Ephesians 3:20).
Corinne Vance, International Christian Alliance on Prostitution (ICAP), North America, Leadership Team, Trauma Therapist at The Wellhouse, and Assistant Internship Director, The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology