On July 29, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT, the nonprofit organization Voices Against Trafficking (VAT), will host a zoom forum speaking out against sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Over 20 leaders will attend — from members of Congress, to the secretary of transportation and members of the Vatican, among others. Founder Andi Buerger says the meeting will accomplish two things: to educate and to create awareness of the human trafficking prevalent worldwide. The forum will stream live via Facebook/VoicesAgainstTrafficking and on YouTube.

VAT states that “Human trafficking is the world’s fastest growing multi-billion-dollar criminal industry. This vast transnational criminal enterprise is the greatest exploitation of men, women and children in the world. It is evil. These victims are in dire, life threatening situations without hope.” VAT hopes the forum will speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

God Interceded

Andi has intimate knowledge of the industry. She was trafficked by her family for years. But God interceded on her behalf, she told The Stream. “He allowed me to live through a lot of things. … God just led me to keep moving forward, which I did.”

God has been Andi’s hope, she explained.”But if somebody doesn’t have that, they need to know there are humans out there that are doing good things that are desperately searching for them because we believe they have a future and a hope, and that no matter what’s happened to them, they have a place in our community.”

The Spokes of a Wheel

VAT works with other organizations to help bring human trafficking to an end. She describes VAT as the hub of a wheel, while the organizations she works with are the spokes. Organizations like safe shelters and others working against human trafficking. The more organizations that join in the mission, the stronger the wheel. “I think people down deep know that something needs to be done, but a lot of folks still don’t get that it happens in their neighborhood. So, she hopes the VAT forum will create awareness, educate people and show them that there are people who are trying to do the right thing. “Together we can do it better.”

VAT’s Mission Statement

VAT, as it is today, was organized in January, 2020. It’s mission statement reads:

Voices Against Trafficking seeks justice for all victims of human trafficking and child exploitation; advocates for dedicated resources for victims needing specialized whole-health care & occupational services; and demands vigorous prosecution of the network of organized transnational criminal predators who usurp federal and international law for profit by committing a hate crime that targets innocent victims regardless of race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status or locale. Through our combined voices, VAT is committed to preventing the horror of human trafficking of innocent lives.

“The zoom webinar will feature anti-trafficking organizations, members of U.S. Congress, advocates against child exploitation, national and international dignitaries, and other leaders dedicated to human rights,” a statement on their website explains.

In addition to the zoom meeting, VAT has launched its “Add Your Voice” campaign where concerned individuals may add their name to a list of people who want human trafficking to end. 

Peculiar Treasures

Andi sees her organization as a mission to go after the lost, the ones who are, as she calls them, peculiar treasures.”[W]e are to go out and get the broken, the downtrodden, the devastated, and bring them back to [God] as His treasures, His special treasures out of the pit. And that’s where I came from. And that’s what I am. I’m a peculiar treasure in His kingdom somewhere. And so I’m just a treasure hunter trying to get as many jewels back, bring His kids back to Him.”

Nancy Flory is an associate editor at The Stream. You can follow her @NancyFlory3, and follow The Stream @Streamdotorg.

Editor’s Note: The Stream’s parent company, LIFE Outreach International is also involved in combating human trafficking through its RescueLIFE ministry. RescueLIFE goes into villages, reaching, educating and preventing children from becoming victims, rescuing those who have been victimized and restoring them by providing an environment where their hearts, minds and bodies can be restored to the beauty God designed for them. Please consider giving today to RescueLIFE to combat human trafficking worldwide.