Abstract:
Integrating appreciative inquiry (AI) and pastoral care may help address the complex issues of
commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. This article explores the benefits of
incorporating AI principles into pastoral care for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and
sex trafficking. Commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking involve exploitation, degradation,
and violence, making them complex issues. By understanding the sex trade, we can recognise that
prostitution is an act of exploitation. Some scholars believe that prostitution and human trafficking
are interconnected, with a focus on exploiting the poor, especially women and children.
Commercial sexual exploitation can cause mental, emotional, and spiritual distress. Survivors
require comprehensive aftercare to address their spiritual, self-esteem, and dignity needs.
Organisational development-based AI is constructive and strength-based. Appreciative
inquiry promotes positive development, community and individual strength, and resilience
by re-contextualizing narratives and envisioning brighter futures. The use of AI could improve
pastoral care and holistic rehabilitation. Pastoral caregivers using AI can promote reconciliation,
development, and rehabilitation. Using strengths-based strategies, pastoral care practitioners
can help survivors regain agency and purpose. Survivors receive spiritual support through the
Appreciative Way, which combines contemplative spirituality and inquiry. Narrative
exploration can help trauma survivors envision a bright future based on love and resilience.
This study suggests that AI principles may benefit pastoral care recipients who have
experienced commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Pastoral caregivers can help
survivors regain dignity, calling, and well-being by implementing an appreciative healing
approach.
CONTRIBUTION: The article sheds light on the dehumanising consequences of sex trafficking on
vulnerable populations in South Africa, particularly women and children. This article aims to
explain how AI concepts can be applied to Practical Theology. Specifically, this article will
demonstrate how the Appreciative Way can be utilised in pastoral care for healing from sex
trafficking trauma.
