I first heard about 'Stop the Traffik' at Spring Harvest probably in 2006, and was shocked that slavery still exists, but know seven years down the line it still shocks me, not as much as it did. But it's the stats that hit me, time after time, the same stats the only difference - they're increasing.
Two days ago, 11th January, it was 'Human Trafficking Awareness Day', so as I always run a little late, here's my part is making people aware. Human Trafficking isn't just about the sex trade, although that takes up a major part, it involves people being forced to work in agriculture and mining. And if that isn't horrific enough, unlike the well known transatlantic slave trade where the slaves were seen as long term investments today's slaves are seen as 'disposable tools' merely a way of increasing profits.
So, some stats:
- 600,000 - 800,00 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders each year. Approximately 80% are women and girls. Up of 50% are minors.
- US Departement of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2005 - Human trafficking is the second largest source of illegal income worldwide, exceed only by drugs trafficking.
- Belser 2005 (Arms comes third) - 1.2 million children are trafficked every year
- Estimated by UNICEF - People trafficking is the fastest growing means by which people are enslaved, the fastest growing international crime, and one of the largest sources of income for organised crime.
- The UN Office on Drugs and Crime
And that's only a few. Something that hits me hard, is the child sex slave. I saw this poster early in the week, and well it speaks for it's self.
So, my question is: What are we going to do about this?
Because, there is no way that slavery is right, so WHY does it still exist?
Please, please check out the Stop the Traffik website
(I'll update this is a few days/hours time when I've done some work and researched into ways to support organisations like 'Stop the Traffik')
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