Human trafficking means suffering, slavery, prostitution and death and the problem is closer to you than you might think
WASHINGTON (Source: FinalCall.com)—Although human trafficking generally operates out of the eyesight or awareness of ordinary Americans, its tentacles reach into every community and neighborhood snatching away men, women and children who become slaves to the people who control them.
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and survivors, supporters and advocates made their voice heard on Jan 11, designated as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day 2016.
According to officials of Zoe, human trafficking is a $32 billion a year industry with 20 million people enslaved around the world which is double the population of New York. Twenty-six percent are children, a quarter of whom are younger than 18. Zoe is an organization working to stamp out human trafficking and through its intervention program. It works with law enforcement and government agencies in raids, prosecutions, and the rescue of trafficking victims.
United Nations officials say every country in the world is affected by human trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims. The link between the refugee and migration crisis and trafficking in persons was highlighted at the 2016 observance of the World Day against Trafficking of Persons by the UN Office for Drugs and Crime.
Former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon denounced the practice in remarks during the observance.
“Human traffickers prey on the most desperate and vulnerable,” he said. “To end this inhumane practice, we must do more to shield migrants and refugees—and particularly young people, women and children—from those who exploit their yearnings for a better, safer and more dignified future.”
Meanwhile, every year, human rights activists and advocates explain, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of criminals associated with human trafficking and are coerced, beaten and brutalized for forced labor or sexual exploitation. And every year, these human and victims’ rights advocates say, the problem is getting worse.
Thousands of individuals and organizations are involved in combatting and working for the elimination of human trafficking. One activist is Chioma Adaku, founder and executive director of Traffik Stops, a faith-based, global coalition that raises awareness about human trafficking through advocacy, education, and empowerment.
