I would be thrilled if this post was unnecessary and irrelevant.
But sadly, offensively, grievously, just the opposite is true.
Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Human trafficking, referred to as modern-day slavery, is the fastest growing and second most profitable criminal industry in the world. More than 27 million women, men, and children have become its victims for labor and sexual exploitation. It can and does occur in all parts of the world, including the U.S. And large sporting events like the Super Bowl attract human trafficking, especially for sexual exploitation of women.
Are you OK with this?
Despite any claims that equal rights are now a given, the women have fair treatment throughout the world (even the U.S.), that we value the dignity and worth of all human beings, the truth is that we are far from such.
Do something!
- Seek Help. Report a tip. Call the Polaris Project trafficking hotline 1.888.3737.888.
- Recognize the signs of trafficking.
- When you travel, check out the “Human Trafficking Letter to Hotels” developed by the Sisters of Mercy Justice Team.
- Use prayer services from the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center.
- Support the International Violence Against Women Act.
- Prevent trafficking at the Super Bowl.
- Watch Lives for Sale, a documentary on immigration and trafficking produced by Maryknoll and Lightfoot Films in association with Faith & Values Media.
- Encourage airlines to sign The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children so that their employees will be alert to the warning signs that traveling children might be victims of trafficking.
- Read Half the Sky. I wrote two posts about it a couple years back: here and here. Buy the book. Give it to others. Read it again.
And light a candle. Pray – for the victims, the families, our world. Then do exactly the opposite: be loud, bold, strong, powerful, and heard as you tell this truth. Without such, we cannot hope for human trafficking to end or posts like this to be unnecessary and irrelevant.
May it be so.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Ronna: Yes I am invested in ending the human trafficking in USA and abroad as well, so glad you are posting about this. I have recently gotten innvolved in this issue through a friend who is a Representative with
http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/
I encourage people to go to their website, great options to buy tee shirts and more, often created by designers. Or simply contribute to support an end to this outrageous practice.
Peace,
Callahan
SO glad for this link, Callahan, but more – your advocacy for something (and so many) so important. Thank you!
Hiya Ronna
Have you come across Stop The Traffik? It was set up by a Steve Chalke who later became the UN special advisor against human trafficking. Great bloke. I’ve read a few of his other books so while I’ve not read his one about this, I would expect it to be excellent. More here if you’re interested: http://www.stopthetraffik.org/news/press/book.aspx
El Edwards´s last [type] ..Do you have favourites?
I wasn’t aware if this resource, El. Thank you! LOVE your passion and advocacy for this important issue!
Half the Sky is has been added to the top of my Goodreads ‘want to read’ list! Thank you for your advocacy and awareness on this topic. I will light a candle each time I sit to read this book.
Sera´s last [type] ..Too Dark, Too Deep… Too Real.