A burst of activity among state legislatures to target human trafficking has ushered in dozens of laws to step up criminal penalties against traffickers and offer new help to victims. Read more here.
If you’re in Ohio, check out End Slavery Cincinnati for help on contacting your local senators in Ohio.
When I hear the statistics on human trafficking, it’s hard to wrap my head around what the numbers mean. 27 million are enslaved. That sounds big and it catches my attention but I can’t grasp a number like that. Another common citation is that the international human trafficking industry generates $32 billion a year. Since I’ve never had $32 billion in my wallet it’s hard to understand what that means!
Here’s something that makes that number come alive: in 2007 trafficking generated more revenue that Google, Nike and Starbucks combined. Want another example? In 2009 traffickers generated more revenue than Walmart, Chevron, General Motors, General Electric, and Bank of America. Wow. Somehow that makes the numbers come to life for me.
Check out this article for more on why trafficking is more profitable than some other businesses. And find out how you can help.
On July 23rd the Department of Homeland Security launched the Blue Campaign - a DHS-wide initiative to combat human trafficking through enhanced public awareness, victim assistance programs, and law enforcement training and initiatives.
“The battle against human trafficking is a shared responsibility involving the Department’s federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners, non-profit and non-governmental organizations, governments around the world and communities across the nation,” said Secretary Napolitano. “With the Blue Campaign, we seek to shine a light on a crime that thrives in the shadows, bring traffickers to justice, and assist victims in communities across the nation.”
Thursday night we attended the rally for Five Weeks for Freedom at the Freedom Center. The event featured cyclists who are cycling part of the route of the Underground Railroad in order to raise awareness of human trafficking and support International Justice Mission. There were lots of other great organizations there, as well. Channel 9 News in Cincinnati was there and did a great story featuring Stop Traffick Fashion and others. The story does a great job telling the story of modern day slavery. You can read the text below or click on the link to see the video.
Posted: 11:19 PM, 7/22/10
CINCINNATI - Loveland Resident Emily Hill took a trip to Thailand. After meeting young women living in poverty who were at risk of being slaves, she decided to start stoptraffickfashion.com.
Hill’s company only purchases and sells fashionable items made by survivors of human trafficking.
“It gives them a sense of dignity and confidence in themselves again. And most importantly it helps them generate a sustainable income for themselves going forward,” Hill said.
Hill chose to set up her booth at Thursday’s “5 Weeks of Freedom” event hosted by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
The point of the event was to remind the public that slavery is not a thing of the past.
“There are more slaves today than over 400 years of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. 27 to 40 million estimated slaves in the world. So in 2010 it’s hard to think that that’s true,” said Amy Roth who is with the International Justice Mission, a Washington based anti-slavery organization.
Everyone that attended got to enjoy music, performances, and most of all, an education.
“When you hear lives of sexual exploitation or families sold into lives of 18 hour days, you can’t help but stop for a moment and say that is unacceptable today in 2010,” Roth said.
To learn more about modern-day slavery, click on the related links.
Nicholas Kristof, NYT columnist and author of Half the Sky, has a new op-ed piece published today on sex trafficking in America. As our readers know, trafficking happens everywhere but the exact ways and reasons in which it happens differ in each country. I definitely recommend reading this article for a good overview of the major circumstances around sex trafficking in the US.
Despite who you wanted to win the World Cup, there is some good news coming out of it! Many feared that the World Cup would lead to an increase in trafficking and prostitution. Although there is no definitive data, CNN is reporting that business in the sex trade was down during the World Cup as fans were more drawn to museums! And if you’re interested in getting a jersey for your team you might want to check out the supply chain grade your favorite brand got from Free2Work. The Free2Work Campaign rates companies on their labor policies, giving each one a grade from A to F, indicating how well it’s preventing slavery and exploitation from tainting its product.
Here is a list of some recent headlines about human trafficking…and a reminder that it does happen in the US!
5 Ukranians charged in a human trafficking ring in the US
Milwaukee Man sentenced to 25 years for child trafficking
Queens madam arrested for trafficking of Korean women in Long Island
5 Weeks for Freedom is a major awareness and advocacy campaign to support International Justice Mission’s work and give a voice to victims of modern-day slavery and other forms of injustice. A team of ordinary people is giving up 5 weeks to cycle 1800 miles of the Underground Railroad – a route that reminds us that change happens when ordinary people do what they can to stop injustice, that the evil of slavery has been defeated once, and that, together, we can do it again. You can find out more about the campaign here.
Throughout their journey there will be several events at cities along the route - including Cincinnati! The details of the events are below. These would definitely be a great way to get involved and tell your friends about human trafficking.
I read about trafficking every day. Sometimes the barrage of information from blogs and newspapers and government documents is overwhelming. I find myself thinking I know, I know. There are so many atrocities around the world. I get it. I’m trying to help, but I just can’t read one more sad/depressing/frustrating story. Sometimes it feels too far away and I loose touch with the urgency of the situation. Over time it can be tempting to ignore the problem and go on with life.
But then I read articles like these. Lives are changing. Survivors are thriving. Not only on other continents, but here in my home country and my home state.
So be encouraged. Change is happening—and keep your eyes open so you can be a partner for healing and freedom where you live and wherever you go.
I’m sure I’m going to be processing everything I’ve learned on my trip to visit Hagar in Cambodia for awhile. What should I do with all of this new knowledge and experience? Maybe you are wondering the same thing. Maybe you’ve read what I’ve written and are interested in doing more. I hope that is the case! If so, here are some ideas for ways to learn more and get involved. If you’re interested in talking more please contact me at hello(at)stoptraffickfashion(dot)com.
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