Millions of unsuspecting girls and young women are trafficked into forced labor or the sex trade each year.

Chanhsy* was 13 when she was sold into slavery. She spent three years serving an abusive family in Thailand without pay. Worldwide, 11.3 million girls ages 5 to 17 work as domestic laborers, the International Labor Organization says. Unsuspecting children like Chanhsy often are forced into child labor or the sex trade. The full extent of the problem is unknown, but governments and organizations have made progress in recent years to prosecute traffickers and identify and rehabilitate survivors of the crime. 

Prayer:

Jesus, we come to You humbled by the struggles many girls face every day. Restore them to trusting relationships and self-confidence. Inspire leaders to create policies that address the causes of sexual exploitation and forced labor.

*name has been changed for protection

Written by Chris Huber

Photo ©2013 Ammala Thomisith