 "Photo: Stop the Traffik")
Human trafficking: it’s a steadily growing illegal market and global issue. However, it seems that not many students on the Wesleyan campus know much about what human trafficking is.
Human trafficking is many things, but first and foremost it is slavery. Stopthetraffik.org defines human trafficking as “the act of being deceived or taken against your will; being bought, sold and transported into slavery for sexual exploitation, sweat shops, sale of human organs, sacrificial worship, child brides and much more.”
Human trafficking is a crime against humanity, and it’s the largest illegal trade in the world, second only to the illegal drug trade.
And you thought Taken was just a movie.
Trust me, in the real world, young women and children visiting foreign countries are kidnapped every day and they don’t have Liam Neeson to take care of business. Every minute, a victim of human trafficking is smuggled across borders and into a foreign country, according to Faceless International.
According to author and Chief Solutions Officer of DBR Marketing Group, Tim Dooly, human trafficking is a “well-hidden, under-reported, under-publicized and widespread crisis.”
Considering the responses I received while talking with Wesleyan students, I have to agree.
So what’s the skinny? The truth is that there are more slaves now than any other time in history. Call and Response stated that there are more than 27 million people enslaved world-wide.
This is not your grandma’s Civil Rights movement. This is a grass-roots abolitionist movement. This is global. It’s going to take anyone and everyone to end the illegal trade of human beings, and it starts with you and me.
Slavers in the sex trade do more than beat their victims. They turn them into drug addicts so that, even when given the chance, if the victim escapes they are always drawn back to the brothels and the slavers for a fix. When they return, they are beaten and tormented within an inch of their lives.
In Africa, children are abducted during the night while their homes are burned to the ground and their families are murdered. If the children try to escape, the slavers will mutilate them by using a machete to cut off their lips, nose and ears.
In India and the Middle East, a strong child or teen can be sold as a slave laborer for less than the price of a cow.
Victims of the Human Trafficking trade are carried across endless borders and forced to work extreme hours, especially in the sex trade. One victim is smuggled across country borders every minute. That’s enough people a day to fill five jumbo jets.
So now that you know the issue, are you willing to help stop it? Even three minutes can help.
Here’s how: Tell your friends about the issue; spread awareness.
Give this article to the people next to you and make sure they read it. Go online. There are hundreds of sites dedicated to crimes against humanity with great ways to get involved.
My top three foundations are Faceless International, Stop the Traffik, and Call + Response.
All three have great tips online to help you get involved and quick facts about the issue that you can share with your friends.
Justice is what love looks like in public. Spread the love.
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