Photo Provided by Jon Proctor
Human Trafficking is a worldwide problem. Paladin Rescue Alliance works with schools and villages in Thailand and Myanmar to provide medical and school supplies, project support, and needs assessments for women and children. It is an action-oriented organization with measurable outcomes.
Understanding the culture and the context in which trafficking occurs is step number one in helping people avoid and escape trafficking. Paladin uses the concept of three pillars–Prevention, Rescue, and Aftercare—to affect change within vulnerable populations. Vulnerability stems from poverty, lack of education, and statelessness (refugees or members of rural communities may not have official identity papers: no papers = no rights). Girls as young as 6 are often sold off by their own families to avoid hunger and destitution.
Prevention begins with education. In some communities, education routinely ends after 6th grade. Paladin provides scholarships for children to continue their education. The organization funnels scholarship money through schools so that it can’t be redirected for other uses. In most schools, children are given uniforms which help to cement their identity and belonging to a larger, protective group. Paladin also provides schools and villages with support through supply drops, project (remodeling) support, and outreach.
Rescues often take place in bars and brothels where trafficked people are held hostage. Members of Paladin prepare by making connections with inhabitants of these places and, later, come back with local law enforcement to remove trafficked individuals from the situation.
Aftercare focuses on restoring human dignity and self-worth that has been stripped away by years of poverty and mistreatment. The aim is to provide individuals with independence through sustainable employment so that they have hope for a different kind of future. For instance, women can be taught to make jewelry that will later be sold through non-profit organizations such as churches or NGOs.
Jon Proctor founded Paladin in 2016. “I use my high-octane energy level, unrelenting passion, and applicable skills to end the trafficking of women and children into the sex industry.” Jon has a PhD in Sociology (statistics and research methods) from University of Nebraska.