Human trafficking, a $150 billion global industry according to the International Labour Organization, is one of the most pressing human rights issues of our time. While law enforcement and government agencies work to dismantle trafficking networks, grassroots movements led by faith communities are quietly shaping the frontline response. Churches, mosques, and temples are mobilizing their congregations to protect vulnerable populations and restore survivors, blending practical aid with spiritual support.
In the United States, churches have become key players in victim recovery. The Salvation Army, founded on Christian principles, operates dozens of safe houses nationwide for survivors of sex and labor trafficking. These shelters provide not only secure housing but also trauma-informed counseling, job training, and legal assistance. “Faith communities are often trusted by victims who fear law enforcement,” said Lt. Col. Deborah Sedlar of the Salvation Army. “We can be that first door they walk through to find safety.”
Mosques are also leveraging their influence to address trafficking in communities where poverty and migration create fertile ground for exploitation. In Nigeria, for example, imams in Edo State—a hotspot for sex trafficking to Europe—have partnered with NGOs to educate young women about fraudulent overseas job offers. Friday sermons often include reminders that traffickers prey on economic desperation. Imam Abdullahi Shuaib, coordinator of the Faith-based Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative in Lagos, explained: “We have a moral responsibility to raise awareness and protect our daughters. Islam teaches us to stand against injustice.”
In South Asia, temples and Buddhist monasteries have taken on a similar role. In Nepal, the anti-trafficking group Maiti Nepal works closely with Hindu priests and Buddhist monks to identify at-risk children in rural villages. Religious leaders, who often hold immense authority in local communities, are trained to recognize warning signs and connect families with resources. Temple festivals and religious gatherings have become platforms for mass awareness campaigns, reaching thousands at a time.
What makes these efforts distinctive is their holistic approach. Survivors often suffer from isolation, shame, and deep trauma. Faith communities provide more than food and shelter; they offer a sense of belonging and restoration. In Thailand, Buddhist temples host meditation retreats for survivors, helping them heal from trauma. In the U.S., church volunteers mentor survivors as they rebuild their lives, offering everything from rides to job interviews to tutoring for GED exams.
Collaboration is another hallmark of faith-based responses. In recent years, interfaith networks have emerged to unite different traditions in the fight against trafficking. The Global Freedom Network, launched by Pope Francis in partnership with Muslim and Jewish leaders, exemplifies this trend by bringing together diverse faiths to advocate for systemic change.
Critics caution that religious groups cannot replace state-led interventions. However, their grassroots reach and moral authority remain powerful tools in the global fight. “Traffickers thrive on secrecy and silence,” said Anuradha Koirala, founder of Maiti Nepal. “Faith communities break that silence. They mobilize hearts and hands to stand with the most vulnerable.”
As trafficking continues to devastate lives worldwide, the growing role of faith-based organizations underscores a larger truth: combating exploitation is not only a matter of law enforcement, but also of moral conviction. Whether through a church basement in Chicago, a mosque courtyard in Lagos, or a temple gathering in Kathmandu, communities of faith are proving that freedom and dignity can be defended at the grassroots level.
