The Human Trafficking Epidemic

In his human trafficking speech, Daniel Walker discusses his experience "behind enemy lines" in the sex slavery industry. While the industry remains on the periphery of most peoples awareness, it is the largest growing form of international crime, grossing 32 billion dollars annually. In fact, there are more people sold into sex slavery today than in any other period of time in human history. Unfortunately, less than .5 percent of the victims, who come from the poorest countries and communities in the world, are ever recovered or are involved in judicial intervention.

Walker shares several success stories in his undercover work rescuing women and girls from the trafficking industry. However, he also admits his shortcomings and failures. He notes that those failures helped him face the fact that he was not superman. Previously, Walker considered his humanity a weakness, especially in his line of work. His experience helped him come to the realization that our humanity offers us choice which makes us powerful beyond measure. Walker argues that "the most dangerous force for good is a person who recognizes in the face of evil, no matter how big or small, they have the power to choose." He encourages us not to remain neutral or indifferent, because inaction is an action in and of itself that sides us with the oppressor.