Revised & Expanded, 2020! What is human trafficking? Why are millions enslaved in lives of labor and sex trafficking? How do traffickers control their victims? What are the needs of trafficking victims? Why don't more victims reach out for help? What are the challenges faced by law enforcement? What can I do to help? John Vanek, nationally recognized authority on the response to human trafficking, along with eighteen expert contributors, answers these and other commonly-asked questions about one of the greatest human rights violations today: human trafficking. The Essential Abolitionist offers context to complex topics, reviews the challenges involved in fighting human trafficking and assisting victims, and examines head-on the myths and misconceptions related to modern slavery. If you are already involved in the response to human trafficking, want to get involved, or simply seek a better understanding of this complex, global issue, The Essential Abolitionist will engage, educate, and inspire. This book is an easy read, accessible to the general public to learn about human trafficking, as well as useful to academics who need to cite up to date information and data. FDi recommends anyone who is interested in this subject to read this book. There are not to many professionals writing on the subject and it is refreshing to find one that can offer the right information within an easy read might help many people save lives. -Trafficking Today The Essential Abolitionist is a timely resource for the world today. With more recent attention paid to the issue of modern slavery and human trafficking, Vanek offers honest and practical insights to educate and guide new abolitionists to coalesce around the human rights issue of our time. The Essential Abolitionist is an essential resource for new hearts and minds about to embark on a passionate journey to understand modern slavery. -Kay Buck Executive Director and CEO Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST) John has written the essential 21st century guidebook on human trafficking. Between his extensive personal expertise and that of the many guest contributors, John has built a dynamic document that will save lives. This book could be today's textbook for those with an interest in ending human trafficking and will surely educate anyone who reads it. -Kevin Willett CEO - Public Safety Training Consultants Redwood City, CA The Essential Abolitionist is a great read and provides a very concise, accurate, and topical guide to a complex issue. This book should be in the hands of every abolitionist, church member, community leader, law enforcement leader, and legislator. -Dennis Mark Executive Director Redeemed Ministries Houston, TX John Vanek is highly experienced in the fight against human trafficking, and his passion has made a difference for many survivors. The Essential Abolitionist will be instrumental in educating law enforcement and NGOs throughout the United States. -Anna Rodriguez Founder, Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking The Essential Abolitionist is perhaps the most comprehensive examination of the troubling issue of human trafficking ever put together. John Vanek not only brings to bear his own significant expertise on the subject but also enlists a host of other voices to offer in one book all the resources and information law enforcement should have on hand in the fight against this inhumane treatment of innocents by brutal criminal enterprises. It is, in my opinion, a must for every police executive's library. -Doug Wyllie PoliceOne Editor in Chief Vanek's book is an indispensable resource-thorough, insightful, useful, and drawn from experience in the field. A must read for anyone concerned about this fast-growing and harmful global and domestic issue. Law enforcement, helping professionals, educators, activists, and citizens alike-everyone should read this book! -Janja Lalich, PhD Professor Emerita of Sociology California State University, Chico John Vanek has done a masterful work of summarizing the very complex issue of human trafficking in a logical, broad, and readable way. Anyone working in the anti-human trafficking arena soon learns that people want to know more. Whether they are just discovering the issue or already active in working against modern day slavery, questions abound. I recommend The Essential Abolitionist to everyone as an up-to-date reference for understanding a global, complex, modern scourge that cannot be ignored. -Jean Schafer, SDS Editor, Stop Trafficking e-newsletter If you have questions on the issues of modern day slavery and what you can do about it, you will want to read John Vanek's new collaborative book, The Essential Abolitionist. It is a fresh call to engagement in the movement that seeks to free the lives of those imprisoned, exploited, and enslaved by human trafficking. This book will not only open your eyes and bring clarity to what is happening around you but al