Human trafficking is one of the greatest injustices on our planet today, and is second only to the drug trade as the largest criminal activity in the world. Human Trafficking is the illegal trade of humans into slavery for sexual exploitation or forced labor. According to the US State Department, an “estimated 600,000 to 820,000 men, women, and children [are] trafficked across international borders each year, approximately 80% are women and girls and up to 50 percent are minors.” Nearly 2 million children around the globe are currently in forced sexual exploitation.
HLI began its anti-trafficking work in 2006 after learning that an estimated 10-15,000 West Africa
We do this work through cooperation of network of human trafficking organizations in the neighboring countries.
Our approach to fighting trafficking in the Gambia and West Africa begins at the border crossings where we identify and stop trafficking victims and, when possible, their traffickers before they reach India.
In addition to Border Monitoring, our work is expanding to include:
Education and awareness
HLI seeks to educate both local communities and at-risk women and children about trafficking
Aftercare
HLI works to ensure that victims of trafficking stopped at the border are given the emotional and spiritual support they need during times of transition.
Prosecution
With support of local authorities, Hope Life seeks justice by holding traffickers accountable through prosecution.
Investigation
HLI is developing strategies to collect information on the trafficking of women and children in the Gambia in order to more effectively fight sex-trafficking on a structural level.