I know it's 2016 and slavery is illegal all over the world, but it still exists today. If you want a better idea of what slavery is, it's when someone is forced to work without pay, is unable to run away, and is controlled by another person who inflicts violence upon them. I can't imagine what it feels like to be "owned" by someone, like a piece of fine jewelry, forced to behave the way they want you to, never getting to think for yourself. That is the reality of the 27,000,000 people trapped in slavery today, which is why we should join the movement that is sweeping the nation. It's called the End It Movement, or maybe you know it better as #enditmovement.
The End It Movement was launched in 2013, and since then people like us have helped to shine a light on slavery. It starts with raising awareness. If you're interested in ways you can help raise awareness, check out the End It Movement website. Here's the link: http://enditmovement.com/
One of the ways we raise awareness took place this past Thursday. You may have seen it on your social media, you know, all the pictures with red X's drawn on peoples hands. It's called Shine A Light On Slavery Day. And that's exactly what we did. But it doesn't stop there. Another way to help fight the fight for freedom, is to give. Your support, money, it all helps. You can pledge your support at enditmovement.com. The End Slavery Initiative still needs to pass the House and the Senate before it can be sent on to the President. I urge you all to go pledge your support and let our representatives know that we are in it to End It.
We can also give money at the End It Movement website. The money goes to End It's coalition partners, who work to end slavery by awareness, prevention, rescue, and restoration. If you're interested in where your money is going, they have a 2016 list of projects that include executing two rescue operations in Southeast Asia or India to rescue victims and assist in the arrest of traffickers, supporting a prevention curriculum and monthly class educating girls 12-18 in the US on how to avoid being a victim of human trafficking, providing education and social services for 14 girls in a restoration home in the Philippines, and much more.
Now let's talk about slavery. What is it and how do people become enslaved? There's bonded labor, which happens when people are born into slavery, indebted, maybe from generations before. It is one of the most common forms of slavery in the world today. There is also forced labor, when someone is forced into work or service against their will, under the threat of violence. This type of slavery is usually found in labor-intensive, under-regulated industries. Finally, we have human trafficking. This usually happens when someone is tricked into leaving their home, under false promises of work or happiness, and then are transported to another country, stripped of their identity, and forced into work with no hope of returning home.
If you still aren't convinced, here are some devastating statistics that prove we need to END slavery across the globe:
Slavery exists in 167 countries around the world. That's 85% of the nations in the world.
Slavery is the second largest global organized crime, generating $150.2 billion per year. That's more than the combined revenues of Amazon, Google, and Ebay every year.
55% of forced labor victims are women and girls.
Nearly 1 in 5 victims of slavery is a child. The average age a teen enters the sex trade in the US is 12-14 years old.
In 2013, the National Human trafficking Hotline received reports of human trafficking in all 50 states and DC.
There are an estimated 60,100 trapped in slavery in the US right now.
An estimated 199,000 incidents of sexual exploitation of minors occur in the US each year. That's one incident every 3 minutes.
Yes, slavery is real and if we join this movement, we can help spread awareness which can lead to prevention, rescue, and restoration. Help to shine a light on slavery and join the End It Movement today.
