Interview with the Justice Network

Whiter Than Snow deals with the problem of prostitution in brothels and saloons at the turn of the century, and what people were doing to try to eradicate the problems. Unfortunately, the ugly truth is that we still haven't washed clean this stain on our society. With the Whiter Than Snow release only a couple weeks away, I'm excited to introduce you to two real-life abolitionists. None of us like that there is child slavery and sex trafficking happening in our world as we speak, but often we don't know what to do. How can we possibly get involved or make any change to what's going on?

Tanya Dennis (tanyadennisbooks.com)

Susan Panzica (susanpanzica.com)

It is my great privilege to share with you this interview with the Justice Network, founded by Tanya Dennis and Susan Panzica and tirelessly dedicated to ending the problem of modern-day slavery and sex trafficking:

Miranda: At the turn of the century, with groups like the Anti-Saloon League and Carry Nation smashing saloons and picketing, it’s easy for us to look back and see they were going about their fight in the wrong way. We don’t want to cause more trouble or get in the way of God’s working. What are some ideas for people to start getting involved in their own communities that will truly benefit the people who are being harmed by human trafficking?

Tanya: This is a great question. Just as some of the characters in your book spread condemnation rather than hope, we can often cause harm when trying to help. These unintended consequences often come through lack of understanding. Many take action before seeking to understand the situation fully, before know the dangers, before thinking through the solutions and what happens next.

Justice Network's mission statement is "to educate, empower, and equip our friends and neighbors to become abolitionists." The first step toward helping is education. If we want to be effective in our efforts, we must understand what's really going on. We have a number of fabulous resources on our website — www.Justice-Network.org — from films and documentaries to books and websites.

I encourage people to search for like-minded organizations in their local areas, too. Find people who are doing something good and join them.

Miranda: We confess our hesitation can mirror Joshua’s when he was faced with the question of how far he was willing to go to help Kathleen. How do we answer to our fears about getting involved in the messy parts of other people’s lives?

Tanya: It is important to distinguish the source of our fears before listening to them or going against them.

Fear can be a good thing. God gave us fear as a means of protection. Human trafficking is a very dangerous business and fighting it can be war. Quite literally. Joshua was a law enforcement officer. He had authority that most of us do not possess. If you're not in law enforcement, be very careful. Do not engage until you have had proper and adequate training.

While some fear comes from God, some comes from a lack of faith. I think this is the heart of your question. Just as God gives us fear to avoid unwise circumstances leading to dangerous situations, He also gives us the strength to overcome unfounded fears. The safest place to be is always in the center of His hand and will. If He calls you to something — to a situation where you can serve, where you can help, where you can love — it is far safer to walk in that calling than to go against the will of our righteous God.

Love is messy. It's not safe, but it's always worth the risk.

I always find my strength solidified through Bible study. Consider those we meet through Scripture: Moses, Joshua, Esther, David, Deborah, Rahab, Ruth, Nehemiah, the Apostles ... Jesus Himself! I could list forever the people who have faced fears and overcome! Each and every one of these fought social injustices. They rallied against the norms of safe society to chase the will of God. And that will is to love Him and love others. We can't go wrong pursuing that.

Miranda: How can we teach our children to be abolitionists?

Tanya: When I started working against human trafficking, our children were 7 and 9, far too young to understand the extent or details of the issue. But they understood justice. They understood fairness and equality. And they understood human value. So I talked to them in those terms. I explained that God wants us to love others, no matter what their appearance, circumstance, or history. I explained what slavery is and explained that God wants us to do whatever we can to stop it and to help those caught in it. 

Most of us will not be involved in busts and rescues. We'll be involved in education and restoration. There are many, many ways to get involved in this and many ways you can involve your kids in it, too.

PRAY. Only God can change the hearts of people and only God can restore the lives of the broken. Prayer is our #1 weapon against injustice.

EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS. Read books on the topic and the solution. Talk about the issue. Raise awareness. Seek to inform.

SHOP FAIR TRADE. People often think human trafficking is just about sex trade. It's not. Huge portions of major industries run on the backs of slaves and child laborers. Coffee, chocolate, and fashion are the top three offenders. Buying fair trade ensures that the items we consume are not fueling slavery around the world. Learn more at www.fairtradeusa.org.

GIVE. Organizations cannot run without support. Seek out rescue and restoration initiatives in your area and see what they need. Gifts may be monetary, but they could also be clothing, food, educational tools, personal items, or just cards of encouragement. 

ACT. Justice Network started with prayer and then a film viewing to raise awareness. In two short years we had reached a national impact networking through educational events, training sessions, hospitality support, and restoration efforts. Seek out an organization or ministry in your area. If you can't find one, start one. Start small with what God has already placed within your reach and see where He leads.

Miranda: You mentioned fair trade. Some argue that supporting fair trade or boycotting companies who use child and/or slave labor takes jobs away from people who are surviving on them. Is this a misconception?

Tanya: Fair trade doesn't eliminate jobs at all! Rather it serves as an advocate, making sure workers are paid for the jobs they do. Families absolutely do need these jobs and fair trade is the only way to ensure that they can survive with them. Without fair trade, there are no consistent economic regulations or floors for prices. That means the one with the lowest prices (typically with the highest education and exposure) gets the money. This consistently leaves those already in poverty deeper in poverty, exploited by those who have resources. The poor keep getting poorer while the rich get richer.

Fairtrade isn’t about charity; it's about fairness. It is about rethinking the relationship between producers and consumers. Fair trade makes sure that, establishing mutual honesty and respect, producers can make a decent living within healthy working environments.

Miranda: Now tell us more specifically how we can pray for this movement.

Tanya: Pray for the safety of those on the front lines of rescue teams. Pray for peace and strength for their families. Pray for salvation of the victims. Pray for restoration and healing for the survivors. Pray for the pimps to know God. Pray for the Johns (those buying). Pray for the mothers so entrenched in poverty they see no choice but to sell their children. Pray that hearts will be changed and lives redeemed. Pray that governments will do all they can to protect life and to promote equality and justice. Pray that God will make Himself known in undeniable ways and that He be glorified through our efforts. Pray that those who fight will find rest in His perfection and that we will not grow weary in doing good. Pray that we will see an end to slavery in our lifetime.

Miranda: What can we do to support Justice Network?

Tanya:

1.  Follow us online. We're on facebook
     (https://www.facebook.com/JusticeNetwork/?fref=ts) 
     and twitter (https://twitter.com/NetworkJustice). 
     We have a monthly newsletter and a weekly blog. 

2.  Tell others about us and encourage them to follow as well.

3. Join our efforts. We have a number of events and  opportunities, both local and virtual.

4.  Donate.

Miranda: Are there other groups like yours we can support?

Tanya: YES! The largest international organizations include International Justice Mission (IJM) and A21, but smaller local groups are popping up all over the country. Check out our website for Network Partners.

Miranda: What does God say about helping those in slavery and trafficking?

Tanya: Oh, God says a LOT about social justice! The founders of Justice Network are currently writing a book on the subject. Be sure to follow us for release dates. In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite verses on the subject:

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and 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 (ESV)

“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause." – Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)

“To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” – Proverbs 21:3 (ESV)