Slavery in our Midst

Do you believe, as I did, that slavery officially ended in the United States in 1865? The truth is, there are more people enslaved today than there were at the height of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Last count: 13 to 20 million worldwide – and growing. And today’s slave trade is incredibly lucrative – U.N. estimates place its market value in excess of 32 BILLION dollars annually, making it the fastest growing form of international crime, surpassing even the drug trade. Of the 32 billion dollars, 15.5 billion comes from industrialized countries. Oh yes, it’s also the second largest source of income for organized crime – not surprising, given their sophisticated crime networks. To help put these numbers in perspective, Google, Nike, and Starbucks – COMBINED – earned less in 2007.

So what does this have to do with me?

Well, in 2005, I took a project with an international humanitarian organization that required travel to several underdeveloped countries, including Cambodia. I fell in love with the silk products there, but I was heartbroken to see the dire circumstances under which so many Cambodians live. And I learned about the sex trafficking industry there. I didn’t want to believe what I heard, but it was impossible not to see the effects of it. I came home determined to do something that might make a difference in even a few lives there, and especially in the lives of those who are victims of human trafficking.

Human trafficking is an atrocity and, while it really came to my attention in Cambodia, make no mistake: this is happening everywhere, including, in all likelihood, the town you live in. Between 600,000 and 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders annually. The best information from the U.N.’s most recent report indicates that more than 50 countries now traffic into the U.S. – bringing in approximately 20,000 new victims each year. Yes, into America, Land of the Free, where trafficking victims are enslaved in various forms of sexual and labor exploitation.

About 80% of victims are female; 50% are children. In countries like Cambodia, the majority of victims are children. It is estimated that 100,000 CHILDREN are forced into the sex trade each year in the United States alone.

So what does this have to do with you?

I’m asking you to take a stand. Become an abolitionist. Start somewhere, even if it’s only with a prayer for the victims. Learn more, and then tell another person about this relatively well hidden criminal industry.

• Here’s a link to the 2010 Trafficking in Persons report, published by the U.S. Department of State: http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2010/.
• Hold events in your community to raise awareness.
• Donate to an anti-trafficking organization.
• Let your legislators know that you’re concerned; that victims should be protected; that perpetrators must be prosecuted.
• Vote with your wallet for fair trade – because fair trade products are slave-free. Think before you purchase cheap products. HOW can that price be so low? Too often, it’s because it came from an environment where money was more important than human rights.

As for me, I’m pursuing my vision through my company, HeartSilks – grateful to be able to provide some small measure of hope, support and opportunity to victims of human trafficking. I hope you will consider joining me in any way you can to help eradicate modern day slavery.

Because no one should be for sale.

Tags: human trafficking, slavery, stop human tarfficking