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
