People are learning to no longer make the assumption that slavery in the world ended with Emancipation in the 19th century. This is because this statement couldn't be more false. There are more slaves now than ever. Another error people are making is assuming that slavery ends with the simple act of escaping or being "released." This is as skewed as thinking slavery has been extinct for over a hundred years. Despite everything they have already endured, being freed is just the beginning of a long and arduous road for those released from bondage. One does not consider the aftermath of being liberated from slavery. The turning point from slave to free human being comes long after a slave escapes or is "released.” Unfortunately, without proper rehabilitation the chances are that this liberation will only end in starvation or re-enslavement.
Ex slaves need extensive care and compassion in order to successfully become a functioning part of society. Beyond the intensive psychotherapy they will need to feel like they are safe again, they also need dry ground to fall on. Without assistance such as food or even guidance back into a normal life, these freed people will most likely end up in bondage once more. These workers also need education, recognizing when they are being offered valuable employment or simply being manipulated back into captivity is key in avoiding the same awful situation.
In his book Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy, Kevin Bales gives several anecdotes of slaves that had escaped captivity successfully. Uttar Pradesh is a state in northern India where bondage slavery and debt labor is commonly used. Activist working with vigilance committees there used their financial resources to provide the families of freed bondage slaves with sheep and chickens (along with instructions for their care). “A study two years later found 95 percent of the families had supplied enough earnings to support their families. Laborers need help getting settled and learning how to go through the routine of their new lives.” (Bales, 228) Despite everything they have suffered, these human beings are willing to get back on stable ground and provide for their families.
If free slaves are provided with rehabilitation, reintegration, protection, and prevention of re-victimization, they will be capable of being independent and successful living beings. Each one of these components is crucial to helping someone who was once disposable labor fall back into a stable routine and feel like a valued human life. Unfortunately this is not the case with most. Usually those freed from captivity will not have the resources they need to survive and out of desperation will end up enslaved once more. Unless something is done to help guide these laborers in their journey back to being human they will fall victim to this vicious cycle once more.
Photo Credit: Robin Romano
How does one go about providing free slaves with rehabilitation? Is the best way to provide that person with a steady job? Or is educating them the most important?
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good point that finding them a steady job is important, but a lot of them are from countries where steady jobs are often hard to find in general. The lack of available jobs probably had something to do with why they were enslaved in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI would like to assert the idea of education a bit more. Like, Bales said the best defense against enslavement is a decent education, which will provide these people with the ability to become employed and not fall for the trickery of these slave holders. In my mind rehabilitation equals, yes psychological consoling, but education stands as the best way to keep these people moving in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteIn order for free slaves to get back in their feet after their enslavement, I believe that the best help would be to educate them in order for them to find a substantial employment and further their careers, and not just stay with what they know, which can easily lead them towards becoming enslaved again. Yes, rehabilitation will help a lot, but what these people need is a new life, with knowledge on new things, in order for them to get new jobs and finally feel “free”.
ReplyDeleteBesides many other factors, It is important to note that low employment rate and financial vulnerability play a huge role in the increasing number of slaves. I think it would be interesting to see a statistic that where the largest concentration of slaves are as well as which countries have the lowest employment rate. I think that would be a interesting correlation.
ReplyDeleteAlong with the suggestions above, I agree it would be useful to educate these newly liberated slaves to become financially independent. But also, I believe it is detrimental to visit these towns or cities where these slaves are originating and prevent people who are financially vulnerable into getting 'tricked' into slavery.
Also, what kind of organizations are available to helping slaves "get back on their feet"?
I completely concur. For instance, how is one that is born into slavery, supposed to successfully live in today's society once freed? I believe these victims should be given a social course of some sort, to help them adapt to society, rather than just throwing them into a civilization that they know nothing about.
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy and sad to think that once a slave finally becomes free, sometimes the only choice they have is to return to slavery. They wait a really long time, sometimes their whole life, and when they get the chance to live on their own and see the world in a new perspective, they don't know how. It's not just that they don't know how, but they also don't have the resources and finances. It would be great if these rehabilitation services can be provided to all free slaves, and give them the capability of depending on their own selves.
ReplyDeleteLeyla why would it be detrimental to visit these towns where slavery is present ? I also am curious as to what organizations would help. Are there organizations that already exists whose purpose is to rehabilitate slaves?
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