"I didn't know human trafficking was in my neighbourhood!" On August 8, the youth group of Drayton Reformed Church visited Guelph to learn more about human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation on an "Expose the Darkness" tour. The goal of Expose the Darkness is to raise awareness about human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation in our own neighbourhoods while engaging in prayer for victims, survivors, perpetrators, communities, helpers and their city.
Walking around Guelph, we first stopped at Grey Rock Clothing Co. to learn about the realities of slavery in our world today. From the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the products we use (like makeup, electronic devices, sporting goods, etc.), we all contribute to forms of slavery. At Grey Rock Clothing Co, we learned how one entrepreneur is using her skills to make a world of difference by providing ethically produced goods. We then stopped outside of a high school, youth shelter, sports centre, train station, hotel, police station, court house and tattoo parlour to talk about how places like these impact the life of trafficked victims and survivors. Two days later on Sunday evening, we had a debriefing period back at the church. After listening to the powerful testimony of a survivor who received assistance from a local organization (Beauty for Ashes Transformation House, part of Father's Heart Healing Ministries), we discussed everything we had learned and experienced over the weekend. The youth and leaders found this to be a powerful experience. Expose the Darkness helped them learn more about these issues so close to home while also discovering ways they can make tangible, positive differences. You can invite me (Jennifer) to lead an Expose the Darkness tour in your community, or I can help you develop your own tour! Email for a free copy of the "Expose the Darkness Facilitation Guide" which will provide you with information and tips on how to plan a route in your own region. Together we can work to change unjust social systems and fight to free victims of human slavery. Jennifer Lucking
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Jennifer Lucking is our Human Trafficking Outreach Coordinator.
She is available as an advocate, speaker, workshop teacher and "Expose the Darkness" tour organizer. Click here to support Jennifer's work and to find out more. ArchivesCategories |