Religion has a significant impact on how people deal with the consequences of human trafficking in Indonesia. That impact is both positive and negative, says trauma expert Liliya Kurniawati Wetangterah.
"Human trafficking is a major problem in Indonesia, especially in the province of East Nusa Tenggara. This has a profound impact on victims, families and communities. After in-depth interviews with 19 victims of human trafficking on the Indonesian island of Timor, I analyzed their experiences according to the lived religion approach, i.e. how people practice their faith in their daily lives. I found a religious component in all their stories, from how they experienced the events to the meaning-making and trauma processing."
"In all stages of their trauma and healing, religion plays an ambivalent role: it influences the experience of suffering and processing positively and negatively. To reduce the negative impact I argue in my dissertation for transformative Christian education for adults, specifically in this context of human trafficking."