EP. 63: The Truth About Human Trafficking (with Heather McGannon)

(Warning: Sensitive and potentially triggering content) On this episode of God Hears Her, Eryn and Elisa talk about a topic that most people don’t want to believe exists, even if they know it does: human trafficking. While we don’t want to believe that it’s happening around us, we need to recognize that it is and do whatever we can to spread awareness and protect the most vulnerable. Heather McGannon, who is the West Michigan Program Coordinator at the Michigan Abolitionist Project, joins Eryn and Elisa to discuss the truth about human trafficking.

About Our Guest:

Heather McGannon is the West Michigan Program Coordinator at the Michigan Abolitionist Project (MAP), an organization passionate about working to prevent and end human trafficking in Michigan and beyond through education and collaboration. Before her time at MAP, she mentored college students, helping them navigate big questions to prepare them for life. Heather’s never met a stranger, and her smile and laugh make anyone feel at home. She’s been married to Geoff for over a decade and has two boys.

Notes and Quotes:

• “Human trafficking is essentially modern-day slavery: labor or sex trafficking.”
• “1 in 4 women have been abused.” 
• “Just believe them. Most abuse survivors are telling the truth.”
• “It takes relationship for any of these stories. They are blinded. It is all they have ever known.”
• “Trafficking happens through force, fraud, or coercion.”
• “In the United States, we see it as women who are selling themselves. And many times they were being groomed and forced into it.”
• “One of the biggest things we can do as human beings is to become aware.”
• What to look for: an older boyfriend or father figure, brandings (tattoo of a barcode), evidence of someone being controlled, distancing/isolating themselves, notice a lot of absences/kids are gone for the weekends.
• “Ask the question,  ‘Are you okay?’”
• “It thrives in the darkness, so we need to bring it more into the light.”

Links/Books/Resources Mentioned in Show: 

• If you or someone you know suspects any human trafficking activity, please call the National Human Trafficking hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “HELP” to 233-733. Or you can go to michiganabolitionistproject.org to learn more. 
• Subscribe on iTunes!  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-hears-her-podcast/id1511046507?utm_source=applemusic&utm_medium=godhearsher&utm_campaign=podcast
• Order God Sees Her: 365 Devotions for Women by Women on Amazon.  https://amzn.to/32lYSgh
• MAP’s Instagram: michiganabolitionistproject
• Heather’s Instagram: heatherjoymcgannon
• Elisa’s Instagram: elisamorganauthor
• Eryn’s Instagram: eryneddy