Human Trafficking: The Fastest Growing Illegal Enterprise

Modern day slavery is increasing.  International human rights groups work tirelessly to raise awareness of, and are committed to halt these despicable crimes.  Yet they are at a severe disadvantage trying to fight for the rights of the victims who are often children being sold for sex or labor.  One reason for this is our learned sense of individuality.  If those affected are unknown to us, or are born in a different country, we automatically think this problem doesn’t affect us.  In reality, most of us are living in ignorant bliss.  It is happening on our own streets, right in front of us.

Human Trafficking is the fastest growing organized crime.  Causes.com estimates that in 2011 $32 billion in profits will be generated from this industry.  Children are not the only victims; women and men are also taken from poor communities and forced into prostitution, and the children can be as young as 12 years old.

Not for Sale is an organization dedicated to ending slavery, or re-abolishing slavery as they term it.  They insist that as well as being a global concern, it is also happening in our own back yards.  Modern day slavery is largely invisible to the general population, which is why it is permitted to continue and expand.  On their website, Not for Sale has been recording actual incidents of human trafficking in the USA, the numbers might surprise you, but they are real events.  Click on the link to look at the map, and then click on the state for actual figures.   

It is estimated that as many as 27 million people live in bondage today.  Their liberty has been taken from them, and they are often humiliated by their captors as a means of lowering their self-esteem and ensuring they do not escape.  They are physically and mentally abused, and those who are rescued, require extensive rehabilitation practices which requires financial resources. 

There are lots of things we can do to help end profit mongering from slavery.  We could, of course, donate to the cause.  Those of us who are unable to donate, can help to raise awareness for the cause, organize a community event, and demonstrate intolerance for this type of victimization.  Causes.com is also on Facebook, why not show your support?

Causes.com  http://www.causes.com/campaigns/157189

Not For Sale http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/about/

Slavery Map  http://www.slaverymap.org/