The Reality of Ethical Anti-Human Trafficking Work

Global Alms Incorporated
May 26
3 min read

When most people think about anti-human trafficking efforts, their imagination often runs straight to scenes from dramatic TV shows or action-packed films: covert operations, rescues in the dead of night, masked teams breaking down doors. It’s the kind of imagery that makes for a gripping narrative, but it’s far from the truth of how legitimate, ethical anti-trafficking organisations operate.

At Global Alms Incorporated, we’re not here to play heroes in a movie. Our team is here to do the hard, often unseen work of building long-term solutions that protect, empower, and restore dignity to survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence. That means following the law, working collaboratively with authorities, and staying firmly grounded in the realities of the communities we serve.

Our work is meticulous, sensitive, and deeply human. It’s not dramatic. It’s essential.

The Myth of the Midnight Rescue

One of the most persistent misconceptions we face is the idea that organisations like ours are out in the field kicking down doors to rescue victims. The truth? That kind of activity, if done outside the law, is not just ineffective, it’s illegal and dangerous. If there’s a situation that warrants immediate intervention, only trained, legal authorities, such as the Royal Thai Police, are permitted to take direct action. Any attempt by civil society or foreign actors to enter properties without permission or remove individuals without legal guardianship would not be a rescue, it would be trespassing, kidnapping, or potentially even a form of trafficking itself.

Recovery must happen within a legal framework that protects both the victim and those involved.

Recovery, when it is necessary, must happen in partnership with law enforcement and within a legal framework that protects both the victim and those involved. Anything else risks re-traumatisation, legal collapse of cases, and undermines the integrity of broader anti-trafficking efforts.

Our Role: Breaking Cycles, Not Doors

The Global Alms Incorporated mission has never been about forceful intervention. It’s about breaking cycles; of abuse, exploitation, poverty, and marginalisation. We do this through:

Training & Capacity Building: Equipping frontline responders, community leaders, and law enforcement with tools to identify and support victims ethically and effectively.
Survivor Support: Providing trauma-informed care, safe shelter, legal assistance, and long-term empowerment opportunities.
Community-Based Prevention: Working with local partners to raise awareness, build resilience, and address root causes of trafficking and gender-based violence.

Our work is meticulous, sensitive, and deeply human. It’s not dramatic. It’s essential.

Why We “Stay in Our Lane”

Global Alms Incorporated CEO, Mechelle B.J. Moore, often reminds our team of a principle that has guided our work from the beginning.

Stay in our lane.

That might sound limiting at first, but it’s exactly the opposite. In the anti-trafficking space, “staying in your lane” means knowing your mission, understanding your strengths, and respecting the boundaries of legality and ethics. It’s about recognising that we can’t, and shouldn’t, do everything. Instead, we do what we do best:

Combating gender-based violence
Supporting survivors
Facilitating ethical, rights-based training and education

With limited resources and a small, dedicated team, focus is our superpower. It keeps us accountable, agile, and trusted in the communities we serve.

The Power of Knowing Your Role

In the humanitarian world, especially in crisis work, there’s a constant pull to do more. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the scale of suffering or tempted to jump into spaces where we don’t have the right tools, context, or legal authority.

Trying to be everywhere and do everything often leads to burnout, diluted impact, and, in some cases, unintended harm. That’s why we believe:

The best way to make a difference is to be clear about your purpose.
Real impact comes from collaboration, not competition.
Long-term change starts by earning trust and working with systems, not outside or against them.

Real Change, One Step at a Time

The work of fighting human trafficking isn’t glamorous. It’s not fast. It doesn’t happen in an hour-long script with a tidy resolution. But it’s real, and when done with care, humility, and commitment, it works. We stay in our lane not because we’re playing it safe, but because we’re playing it smart. Our team knows that the road to justice is long, and the work is never done alone. Here’s our invitation to others in this field and beyond:

Know your mission
Respect the law
Build partnerships that empower, not overshadow local systems
Stay in your lane, and change the world—one step at a time

Learn more about our mission and how you can support our work at globalalms.com