In America it is often taught that slavery ended under Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and the 13th amendment. It is made to seem as if that was the end of all the horror, but the discrimination continued. Many Americans don’t know the extent of the global prominence of modern-day slavery while some don’t even know that slavery still exists at all, and it is a major problem. It is easy to simply turn a blind eye to the conflicts occurring behind foreign borders, and just because the problem is not directly affecting them at that present moment, many people choose to ignore it in its entirety. But even if you don’t know how to take action on a problem, spreading awareness and informing yourself is always important.

This horrifying slave trade is real, and it is happening now in Libya.

Libya is a country in northern Africa that has recently caught the attention of millions who were shocked to find out about the auctioning of men as slaves, sold and traded like cattle. According to BBC News, there are numerous “Migrants trying to reach Europe [who] have spoken of being held by smugglers and forced to work for little or no money.” Major migrant routes lead directly through Libya.

Following these common routes, African men, women and families attempt to reach the shores of European countries. When they pass through Libya, many are forced into slave markets and held against their will. Their black market prices are based on their prowess and skills, and many are forced to work for no pay. Heading to Europe for refuge is common. Every year in Africa there are thousands of migrants who aim to cross the Mediterranean Sea to get to Europe. The journey is hard enough, let alone when you are at risk of being forced into slavery due to the greed of others.

Multiple news channels and journalists have reported this breaking news, which helps draw attention to the issue at hand. Hundreds of people are shocked to see videos exposing slave auctions and the testaments of African migrants who claim to have witnessed such crimes. But simply watching a video or reading a news report is not enough. Action must be taken. Countries around the world are aware of what is happening and further investigations into the matter have been taking place. The UN has even started to take action to collect more information on the situation to figure out who is behind this.

I believe that any organizations that can help should, and this is a major problem that should not just be overlooked by those who do not have direct ties to the problem. If you want to help out in some way, you can visit Save the Children website and help Libyan children in need. You can also check out the International Organization for Migration's website for more information on how people like you are trying to take action and aid in the process of bettering the situation.