Human trafficking is a grave injustice that fuels crime, corruption, and violence worldwide. With an estimated 27 million people exploited across the globe, modern slavery is pervasive and deeply troubling. Our discussion here revolves around this critical issue, with insights from Matthew Friedman, a modern slavery expert and CEO of the Mekong Club, based in Hong Kong. With over 29 years of experience fighting human trafficking, Matthew shares his profound insights on this global crisis and what can be done to combat it.
Matthew Friedman’s Journey to Activism
Matthew Friedman’s journey into the fight against human trafficking began 35 years ago in Nepal while working with USAID. Tasked with public health responsibilities, he encountered young girls suffering from HIV/AIDS, trapped in a devastating cycle of exploitation. Matthew narrates the heart-wrenching story of visiting brothels in India, where he was confronted with the brutal realities of trafficking. A pivotal moment for him was meeting an 11-year-old trafficking victim, changing the course of his life and career.
The Scope of Global Human Trafficking
Human trafficking isn’t limited to one region or one type. Friedman emphasizes that modern slavery affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, of which 23 million are victims of forced marriages. Contrary to popular belief, this issue is not confined to developing countries; even the United States is not immune, with around a million people living under modern slavery conditions.
The Private Sector’s Role in Combating Human Trafficking
Much of Friedman’s work through the Mekong Club involves engaging with corporations in proactive ways to combat human trafficking. By collaborating with financial institutions, manufacturers, and the hospitality sector, they aim to eliminate vulnerabilities in business models that traffickers exploit. Protecting against sweatshops and ensuring clean supply chains are just a few areas where the private sector can make significant contributions.
One of the most profound elements of Friedman’s mission is raising awareness about human trafficking. The private sector can implement policies, conduct audits, and train staff to tackle this issue head-on. Individuals, too, are pivotal to this fight. Raising awareness, being a responsible consumer, and volunteering can have a ripple effect in addressing modern slavery.
Trump’s Attack on USAID
During the discussion, Friedman warned that Donald Trump’s determination to close the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will have terrible consequences for many people worldwide.
“I’ve never worked for an organization that was more heavily scrutinized in terms of audits and checks and balances because the money comes from the American people, and you have to demonstrate that it’s being done efficiently and effectively,” he said. “A lot of USAID programs that fight human trafficking have been terminated. And that’s going to result in an increase in human trafficking, a loss of prevention activities, a loss of the counseling and the protective work that happens after a victim is identified and so forth. It’s really a very concerning situation now.”
Many, many people are going to die. Many people are going to suffer from different diseases. Many opportunities for young girls won’t exist.
Many agriculture programs will suffer. People won’t have food. People won’t have clean water. This is a devastating blow because USAID was the largest government funded program globally to address this.”
The Intersection of Technology and Trafficking
A concerning development Friedman highlights is the rise of scam centers in Asia, where human trafficking intersects with cybercrime. These centers exploit trafficked individuals to execute scams globally, using sophisticated technology. Such crimes present new challenges in the fight against trafficking, requiring unprecedented collaboration and awareness.
Human trafficking is a complex, multifaceted issue requiring global effort and awareness. Matthew Friedman’s insights serve as a call to action for businesses, individuals, and governments. By understanding the extent of the problem and actively participating in solutions, each one of us can contribute to eradicating modern slavery. As Friedman puts it, “We as individuals can play a part of stepping up and being part of the solution.” Let’s rise to that challenge.
Books by Matthew Friedman
Friedman has written several books about modern slavery, including Awakening the Advocate and Where Were You: A Profile of Modern Slavery. Both can be reviewed and purchased here.