Category: human trafficking

End Injustice For All

Posted on by Susan Panzica

spread the word

Most people think (if they stop to think about it) that slavery ended in 1865. Sadly, that is false. Human trafficking (aka modern day slavery) is the second largest and fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world. In 2014, by Presidential Proclamation, January was declared National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. By definition:

  • Human trafficking is a form of modern day slavery involving the use of force, fraud and/or coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor.
  • Human trafficking does not require movement of people across borders.
  • Human trafficking can be forced labor, sexual exploitation, or in the case of minors, sexual exploitation without the use of force, fraud, or coercion.

Most people think (if they stop to think about it) that human trafficking occurs out of sight and/or in faraway places. Sadly, that is also false. It happens around the world, but it also happens in our backyards, our schools, our malls, our families. No one is exempt from risk.

And most people think (if they stop to think about it) that there is nothing they can do to stem the tide of human trafficking. This too is false.

As believers, we are mandated to seek justice for all.

… what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice,

and to love kindness, 

and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

 

Of the things that God requires , “doing justice” is in the top three!

Four years ago, I was just starting to learn what human trafficking is. From my story, Somebody’s Daughter, (published in Chicken Soup for the Soul) which tells of my journey into abolition work:

I knew so little about an issue that was so big. I was afraid and wondered what we could do. After all, there were just two of us. That phrase “just two of us” reminded me of a Bible story where the prophet Elisha and his servant were facing an army of evil-doers. The servant feared that there were just two of them, but the prophet answered, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  (2 Kings 6:16) I realized that even though there are 29.8 million caught in slavery, there are over  7 BILLION people in the world. And most of those people would be opposed to slavery. IF they knew about it. And if they knew what to do about it.

Since our humble beginning, we at Justice Network have our mandate: to raise awareness, work for prevention, support survivors, AND mostly – to let people know that they too can do something about it!

For example, coffee and chocolate are two industries that are notorious for using slave labor.

If everyone bought fair trade or slave free coffee/chocolate, the industry would only make slavery-free products. Look for the logo Fair-Trade-USAor visit our website that provides lists of all kinds of items that are produced slavery-free.

Of all people on earth, we the church should be the most proactive in spreading the word. Human trafficking is an abomination to the God who came to set the captives free.

Encourage your pastor to speak about trafficking this month. There is a wealth of information online including sample sermons and other resources. Visit global organizations like IJM or A21. Or seek out local resources like Justice Network or the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking in New Jersey.

Edmund Burke who famously said, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” also said, “Nobody makes a greater mistake than he would did nothing because he could only do a little.”

Do a little, my friends. Feel free to contact me for information. You can be the difference in someone’s life!

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i am somebody

The Multiplication Factor

Posted on by Susan Panzica

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I’m an accidental abolitionist. At this point in my empty-nester life, I thought I’d be winding down from work and from ministry, but I find myself busier than ever. What began as a passing interest has multiplied into a ministry that has had a global reach.

I’m not quite sure how it happened or exactly when it started. More like snippets of awareness than a thunderbolt awakening. Then one day, in response to a friend’s facebook post on the slavery issue, I reached out.  It was a small act that would quickly reap big consequences. I discovered that one little step in faith is the beginning of a journey where God provides the increase.

I contacted the friend who wrote the facebook post. The two of us met, and decided on a course of action – to show a movie about human trafficking. We both thought that that would be both the beginning and the end of it. But God had other plans.

In the days that followed, I casually mentioned my new endeavor to selected friends and family. With each discussion, my boldness and excitement grew because each person in one way or another said almost the same thing – “I was looking for a way to get involved in this, but didn’t know what to do.” Just like me!

In less than two months, our group grew from two to twenty-two! Within this diverse group, we had people of different ages and from all walks of life and occupations. I began to fancifully imagine what Noah must have felt like when the animals came to him without his having to seek them out, knock on their doors, persuade them of the importance of coming on board.

We gave our group a name –Justice Network, developed a website, a mission statement, and a plan of action. Not long after the movie, we created a social media campaign for the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking, using the NJ Super Bowl to raise awareness about human trafficking. This campaign, called the #HTChallenge, had a global reach of over 6 million, and it continues to grow. God took our offering and multiplied beyond anything we imagined. (Eph. 3:20)

2000 years ago, when a huge, hungry crowd waited to hear Jesus speak, He fed them all by taking a young boy’s lunch, giving thanks, and multiplying two fish and five loaves. I find it interesting that afterwards, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of broken leftovers, one basket for each disciple to hold in his hands – a physical manifestation of the great miracle of multiplication.

Just like the young boy who offered his fish and loaves, God will multiply that which is freely surrendered for the benefit of others.

To be honest, not all the original members of our group are still involved. Some went on to other pursuits, and we’ve had new people join. I tend to get discouraged when I see numbers dwindling or it seems that people aren’t actively engaged. And God reminds me that long before the animals miraculously came to him, Noah spent many years, tirelessly working, preparing for rain, obeying everything God commanded him. (Gen. 6:22)

I believe that God allowed our ministry to multiply as it did as a testimony of what He can do with what is surrendered to Him. And remembering what He has done encourages me to keep stepping forward in faith.

October marked our 4 year anniversary. We continue to meet monthly and have witnessed God repeatedly multiply what we offer Him. This month, we are hosting our annual Justice Rocks. For more information about human trafficking and what you can do in the fight against it, please visit our website www.justice-network.org.

PLEASE JOIN US AT OUR EVENT – JUSTICE ROCKS! THERE WILL BE A GREAT BAND UPSTAIRS AND 14 FAIR TRADE VENDORS DOWNSTAIRS, ALL WITH WONDERFUL ETHICALLY PRODUCED ITEMS. AND FREE BEN&JERRY’S ICE CREAM!!! WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?

FOR MORE INFO, CLICK HERE.

JR3 NEW flyer

 

When it’s just too hard

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Another email from our friend “B” bearing horrific news.

B is a pastor in Nepal. He and his wife run an incredible ministry in Nepal raising awareness about human trafficking and traveling the country empowering women by encouraging mothers to form support groups and become advocates for their daughters in their communities.

We at Justice Network have been honored to support them both prayerfully and financially. And we get updates with their prayer requests.

Sadly, many of their reports have been one monstrous calamity after another. Of course, you know about the earthquake of 2015. Since then, they experienced a mud slide causing the destruction of a school, periodic flooding, illnesses, and most recently massive nationwide flooding.

After the mud slide that broke the wall of the school killing several students, injuring others physically and all of them emotionally, I was completely undone. It’s hard to understand why some people seem to experience the lion-share of suffering.

Then this week, another disaster, the nationwide flood from continuous rainfall for two days. I’ll spare you the horrendous photos of dead children covered in mud. But once again, I was grieved to my core.

I was at a total loss for words, which if you know me is a rare occasion indeed. I went to Romans 8 for the verse that reads, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”  (Rom. 8:26)

And then, in the same paragraph, there it was, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)

To see these verses coupled in one passage brought new meaning to each of the two familiar verses. When we are so devastated that we can’t pray and the Spirit intercedes for us, God is still on the job, working ALL things together for GOOD.

We may not see the good now, but we can trust the One who can.

A half hour later, I opened my Bible app on my phone. The verse of the day:

I’m so thankful for God who not only speaks to us, but confirms it despite my weak faith.

B and his family and community live in a communion with God that I can barely fathom. They trust Him for EVERYthing. As my friend Christina said, “I always wonder to myself how different their spiritual experience must be from ours.”

The comforts of living in the US can be a blessing, but also can reduce our dependence on God. It’s been said that that nothing improves our prayer life faster than big trouble. So that’s one way that God gets our attention.

People love to quote Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” But this verse was written to people in exile. It would be seventy years before this promise would be fulfilled! Until then, the Israelites in captivity were to seek the Lord with all their heart. Only then would He be found by them and they would be restored. (Jer. 29:12-14)

My challenge to you and to myself is to continue to call upon the Lord, to seek Him with all your heart, in all circumstances, both blessed and broken.

“…call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:12-13

 

 

If you would like to financially support B and New Light Nepal, visit Justice Network’s Donate page. You can donate via check or credit card. Please add “Nepal” in a note on PayPal or memo in a check. And thank you in advance. Their need is very great, but even small donations go a long way.

The Multiplication Factor

Posted on by Susan Panzica

Ps 68-19

 

At this point in my empty-nester life, I thought I’d be winding down from work and from ministry, but I find myself busier than ever. What began as a passing interest has multiplied into a ministry that has had a global reach.

I’m not quite sure how it happened or exactly when it started. More like snippets of awareness than a thunderbolt awakening. Three years ago, human trafficking wasn’t a household word. As I came across more and more articles about the issue, my heart broke for those caught in modern day slavery. I started a Word document where I copied and pasted the links to various anti-human trafficking organizations — faith-based, secular, government. I had no idea why I was doing this or what I would do with the document or if it would ever be finished. The list just kept growing.

Then one day, in response to a friend’s facebook post on the slavery issue, I reached out.  It was a small act that would quickly reap big consequences. Over the past three years, we’ve grown in numbers and partnered with many other groups, making an impact far beyond anything I could have imagined. Our little band of abolitionists, Justice Network is still going strong.

I discovered that one little step in faith is the beginning of a journey where God provides the increase.

2000 years ago, when a huge, hungry crowd waited to hear Jesus speak, He fed them all by sharing a young boy’s lunch, giving thanks, and multiplying two fish and five loaves. I find it interesting that after everyone ate as much as they wanted, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of broken leftovers, one basket for each disciple to hold in his hands – a physical manifestation of the great miracle of multiplication.

Just as a young boy offered his fish and loaves, God will multiply that which we freely surrender for the benefit of others.

I believe that God allowed our ministry to multiply as it did as a testimony of what He can do with what is surrendered to Him. And remembering what He has done encourages me to keep on stepping forward in faith.

This truth is not limited to ministries. Whenever we step out in faith, when we surrender to God and relinquish our fears and need for control, we will see God work in ways beyond what our own limited abilities can do. He may be just waiting for us to step out of His way!

Of course, our motives must be pure and not for personal gain. Surrender means we trust God to work without interference from our own agendas or desire to manipulate a situation. It means that we really trust that God is bigger than whatever circumstance is before us.

Dear sister, hold out your hands – palms up. Open your fingers, and close your eyes. What are you carrying? Is it a burden? Release it, trusting that He is more than able to carry it, and you too. Trust that He can not only carry it; He can multiply it to overflowing.

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Ps. 68:19

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The Ugly Truth of “Pretty Woman”

Posted on by Susan Panzica

I’ve seen the movie Pretty Woman more times than I want to remember. But I never saw it through their eyes – through the eyes of two young girls, one interviewed in the movie Nefarious, one in the movie Sex and Money.

Years ago, when I saw the movie through my middle class lens, I saw the title character as a beautiful, young woman who wanted out of “the life.” She’d entered a life of prostitution as a last resort. Her mom called her a “bum magnet,” always drawn to the wrong guy, and when she found herself penniless on the streets of LA, she sold the only thing she had, her body.  She was still plucky and moral, just down on her luck. Until one day, her luck turned for the better as a dashing millionaire in the wrong neighborhood needed directions.

But when the two young girls saw this movie, they saw it differently. They saw something that I never envisioned. They saw prostitution as a chance to meet their own Prince Charming, and the movie Pretty Woman was the catalyst for them to enter “the life.”



Each of these girls soon discovered that reality is far different from Hollywood. There was no Prince Charming, no fairy tale ending. They suffered abuse of the worse kind; they lost their freedom and their dignity, and they still experience flashbacks, PTSD, damaged emotions, and lifelong scars.

When I heard their stories, I was sick to my stomach that I had enjoyed something so destructive.

Today is the 25th anniversary of Pretty Woman. Abolitionist Kimberly Rae posted an open letter to Julia Roberts about the history behind the film. I had no idea Disney white-washed this script, creating a fairy tale from what was a “grisly, ugly story about these two people.” And if I had known, I’m not sure it would have made a difference to me then. But it does now.

Please read Kimberly’s post all the way to the end. And ask yourself the same question she asks Julia Roberts, the same question I asked myself, the same question we each must answer – “now that you know, would you do something about it?”

And if you want to do something, but don’t know what to do, visit us at Justice Network. We’re a group of like-minded people like you doing what we can to contribute to ending human trafficking. 

How You Can Respond to Human Trafficking

Posted on by Susan Panzica
January is Human Trafficking Awareness month across the country. Sunday Jan. 11 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day in NJ.   

Are you aware that there is more slavery in the world today than at any time in history? 


Please visit me today over at Circles of Faith where I share my passion for ending Human Trafficking. We CAN end it in our lifetime! 

This weekend, read the posts, listen to the messages, learn what you can do in a small way (or large if you prefer) to change the culture and bring an end to this heinous evil. 

Please subscribe to Justice Network’s website to receive newsletters and updates. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Feel free to attend our meetings – the second Saturday of each month at the High Mountain Church in No. Haledon, NJ.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim that
captives will be released,
that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free…”
Luke 4:18

Read here how I personally got involved in this cause. 

Philanthropy Friday

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Today I’m honored to be guest posting at anotherjennifer.com for her Philanthropy Friday telling the story of the birth and work of Justice Network :: fighting human trafficking by raising awareness and supporting organizations on the front lines. Please visit me over there today, and join in the discussion!

www.justice-network.org

You too can make a difference in the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves. On Wed., April 16, from 4:00-11:00 pm, Justice Network is hosting a fundraiser for Restore NYC at Chili’s in Paramus. It won’t cost you anything beyond what you’d spend for an enjoyable dinner with family and/or friends. Chili’s will donate 10% of the bill if you just bring in the flyer! Hope to see you there!!

And on Friday, April 25, 7:30-9:30 pm, be sure to join us for a fun and enlightening event! We’re throwing a party! You’ll be able to purchase Fair Trade items (gifts, jewelry, etc.) and make a difference in other’s lives by providing them a sustainable wage. There’ll be refreshments, discussion about Fair Trade, opportunities to create Mother’s Day cards or other crafts. Brain Storm is located in Franklin Lakes right behind the Market Basket on Franklin Lks. Rd. (Many thanks to Scott and Ashley Doty for generously donating their space for this event!!)

For more information about Justice Network, please visit our website. Subscribing to our newsletter will keep you posted of all our upcoming events.

When troubles strike…

Posted on by Susan Panzica


It was my first visit ever to the gynecologist. I never felt so awkward and uncomfortable. But nothing prepared me for the words I heard the doctor say to the nurse standing by the door taking notes.
“blah, blah, blah, a tumor, about 10 centimeters, blah, blah, blah, blah…..”

Woah! Hold on there! Did I hear that correctly?

But the doctor wasn’t speaking to me. I might as well have been a slab of beef he was inspecting before throwing on the grill.

Later in his office, he explained that, Yes I had a very large (“the size of a small cantaloupe”) tumor on my ovary. It was almost certainly benign, but would have to be taken out the old-fashioned way with a slice across my abdomen, hip to hip. Really, God?  

Through a series of events, misadventures, and clear leading by the Lord, I ended up switching doctors, hospitals, even cities (from NJ to NYC) just days before the surgery.  I clearly sensed God directly me every step of the way and was practically floating as I experienced His peace that passes understanding in a whole new way.  

While I was in the hospital for a week post-surgery, my new boyfriend (now my husband of 26 years) came to visit and shared a Scripture verse with me –

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God”. 2 Cor. 1:3-4

It was nice of him to mention it, but frankly I didn’t identify with it at all. In my hubris, I thought I knew all the Scriptures that would apply to my situation, and that one just wasn’t one of them. Or so I thought.

For the rest of the story, click here to Laced With Grace. 
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 ps – As many of you know, I’m the co-founder of Justice Network, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of human trafficking and showing ways to make a difference from here. Our current initiative is a social media campaign using this Sunday’s Super Bowl as a way to raise awareness of the issue. We call it the #HTchallenge. We’re asking people to go to our website  [www.htchallenge.net] and share our images, quotes, and stats on facebook, twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, your favorite social media using the hashtag #HTchallenge. All the information, talking points, etc. are on the website. 

Part of the challenge is also to “donate” a tweet/post that will be published simultaneously with hundreds of others during the halftime show. To register:

1. Click here: http://bit.ly/1eFBIAI
2. Click the button for Twitter and/or Facebook
3. Click “add my support”

Thank you for helping in this worthy cause!

End Injustice!!

Posted on by Susan Panzica

It’s a sad fact that human trafficking – aka modern day slavery – exists. It exists around the world. And it exists in the United States. And it increases with large sporting events such as the Super Bowl.

With the Super Bowl coming to our backyard here in NJ, we at Justice Network and the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking are stepping up our efforts to create awareness leading to reducing the effectiveness of traffickers.

One effort is the #HTchallenge, a social media campaign that you can help with from the privacy of your home, your laptop, your smartphone. It’s as simple as sharing the issue with people in your network of friends, family, followers.

If you believe that it is wrong to buy or sell people, then you need to share this message. 

You don’t need to be an Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, or Rosa Parks, you just need to click and share on YOUR social media.

1. Sign up for Thunderclap. By joining Thunderclap, your single message will post/tweet simultaneously with hundreds, hopefully thousands, of others during the halftime show of Super Bowl, creating a blast that will be heard above the noise of the game. It’s so easy, just:

Click here. Then click on the TWITTER, FACEBOOK, TUMBLR buttons (1, 2, or all 3) to share the message with your social media. Done!! 

2. Share images and posts/tweets about the #HTchallenge :

Go to www.htchallenge.net. Check out the Resources and Game Plan pages in particular. You’ll find everything you need to share compelling facts, stats, quotes, images on your Facebook or Twitter feeds. Just be sure to type in #HTchallenge and/or #HalftimeChallenge with each tweet or status update!!

3. Take the challenge to turn off the halftime show for 5-10 minutes and share about the realities of human trafficking. Here are specific talking points.You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to care about the issue.

Today we celebrate the memory of Martin Luther King who dedicated his life to eliminating injustice. Let’s honor that memory by continuing the work against injustice!