Reader Blog Feature

Rebekka Lien is a human trafficking abolitionist, lover of God, fashion designer, musician, entrepreneur, world traveler and women’s rights activist. She is a Third Culture Kid, a Taiwanese born in Hamburg, Germany, later having lived in Taipei, Taiwan and now in Los Angeles. She lives to bring freedom to the captives and the oppressed.

Rebekka Lien shares her thoughts about today’s issue of human trafficking.

Activist Rebekka Lien

Due to the introduction of sin into this world- what should be has been corrupted. Including self-worth, how people value themselves and view others. Greed took over, lust, corruption of what should be – including beauty, love and sex for intimacy of two people.

Because of this corruption, people, for profit, greed, and others have started to view people as mere products. Sex has become a commodity rather than romance and bonding for two lovers. People are viewed as “what can I get from you”, rather being loved for simply being human.

My interest in abolishing human trafficking began when I was a freshman in high school. I watched a video about human trafficking and nearly cried my eyes out thinking about what is going on in the modern world. In the most developed countries, human trafficking pervades and is hidden in homes, businesses, screens, schools even.

I started doing researching in high school and well into college. I participated in fundraisers that utilized fashion as a means to fundraising for the cause. I styled for a few fashion shows and was actively raising awareness through social media. I had an idea that I could build a company that would enable women to make a sustainable living through life skills like sewing.

At first I felt alone in my passion, but God soon put a entourage of strong women leaders who would help, encourage and support me. I am so extremely blessed to have them- women barely in their 20s.

I discovered that human trafficking is an issue linked and connected to every areas of life. This includes immigration, the porn industry, schools, education, retail stores, factories that make our clothes, the food industry, everything you can possibly think of. As a fashion industry designer and production assistant, I wanted to make a change through my work in the industry. Also I saw that this was such a HUMAN issue that reaches below the superficial, it deals with the human body, soul, mind and spirit. It effects all aspects of society and culture.

I have actively fought human trafficking and misunderstandings regarding pornography through being vocal and speaking out. Human trafficking isn’t some far-fetched issue overseas, it starts from the hearts of people here. I vow to treat each human being with respect and love, knowing that my actions and words toward them may put them in positions of vulnerability and harm. Many young people who have been abused verbally or physically by parents or people around them become extremely vulnerable to pimps and perpetrators. The pimps and perpetrators were also once young innocent men and women that were neglected or perhaps influenced in ways that we can’t begin to understand.

Human trafficking, thus, isn’t just an issue. It is a relational, philosophical, spiritual, and social issue that requires all of us to understand that our world is somewhat NOT what it should be, and this causes us to dig deeper into the human condition, the human soul, and where it is headed. More importantly, how can we fight it, not just with human power, but with God’s power behind us? Because God wanted the earth to be filled with love and respect, not chaos and suppression. How can we start with ourselves? To realize how unconditionally loved we are, and with that we are then able to “love others as we love ourselves”. The reason so many people are hurting others is because they are hurting as well. Hurt people hurt people.

How can we heal our society, people in order to bring about change? I think that is what abolitionists should consider as we not only learn about the issue, but come face to face with the human condition and our own condition.

I believe there is hope, more than hope. God has already overcome for us.

Rebekka contacted Wake People Up , to share with us, her passion of combating traffick. Thank you, Rebekka, for your using your talents to make a difference. To read more from her, see her blog . Feel free to Email Rebekka; she would love to collaborate and unite with other abolitionists.