Take some time to reflect on the powerful sculpture Let the Oppressed Go Free by Timothy Schmalz.
Specialist trained by Caritas Ukraine, working with a young survivor of human exploitation
They drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver.
Note: This reflection contains distressing information about human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
In today’s first reading we hear how Joseph’s brothers, full of anger and jealousy, plan to kill him, but instead decide to sell him into slavery. Sold for twenty shekels, Joseph was a human trafficking victim at just 17 years old. For the next 13 years he would work as a slave in Potiphar’s house, as well as spending time locked in prison.
As we spend time with this story, we hold in our prayers all the people sold in our world today. More than 40 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking and modern slavery.
Yulia (whose name has been changed in this reflection to protect her identity) was trapped into captivity during a visit to Kyiv from her hometown in eastern Ukraine. For two years, Yulia was forced to provide sexual services to men recruited by her captors. She was physically tortured for disobedience or failure to fulfil the wishes of ‘clients’.
After being rescued from captivity by police, Yulia’s journey to recover and rebuild her life has been supported by Caritas Ukraine’s anti-trafficking team, who provided her with temporary housing and food, as well as physical and psychological support.
Today, Yulia feels safe and well. She lives in a government shelter for women and works as an administrator for a clothing salesroom in Kyiv. When we last talked to Yulia, she told us: “I dream of living freely, without fear, confidently, and walking around my beloved city of Kyiv.”
This Lent, let’s pray and work for a world where all people can live freely, without fear.
Prayer
Liberating God,
you desire all people to be free.
May your Spirit sustain victims of modern slavery,
that they may find strength in you,
and never lose hope in a new beginning.
Help us to work for a world
where the dignity of all people is respected,
and human trafficking is no more.
Amen.
Act
Spend some time reflecting on the powerful sculpture Let the Oppressed Go Free by Timothy Schmalz.