The Fight Against Human Trafficking

All that is necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke

Recently, I have heard a lot about a woman named Christine Caine. This is a woman who I have looked up to for many years, I have heard her speak at youth rally’s on many occasions since my early high school years, listen regularly to her podcasts and subscribe to her blog. Every time I hear her speak I am always inspired and encouraged to think about my purpose in life and what I’m doing to make a change in this world today.

In 2008, Christine and her husband, Nick, founded The A21 Campaign, an organization dedicated to addressing the injustice of human trafficking. The A21 Campaign raises awareness, prevents future trafficking, takes legal action, and offers support services to survivors.

I am so blown away by everything that Chris and her team are doing through the A21 campaign, and I wanted to share a little snippet of it with you today. I may not be able to do what they are doing but if I can at least help to raise awareness of this injustice, then that is something.

If you are not sure what human trafficking is you can check out a definition here at the UNODC website.

Some of the stats (focus on Europe):

• Human trafficking is the second largest global organized crime  today, generating approximately 31.6 billion USD each year. Specifically,  trafficking for sexual exploitation generates 27.8 billion USD per year.
• There are 1.39 million victims of commercial sexual servitude worldwide.
• Over 25 percent of sex trafficked victims are trafficked from Southern and Eastern Europe.
• 90% of victims trafficked into the European Union member states will end up in the sex industry.
• Tragically, only 1-2 percent of victims are rescued, and only 1 in 100,000 Europeans involved in trafficking are convicted.

Life for a sex trafficking victim

After a trafficking journey that typically involves deception, rape,  beatings, and constant threats, victims are often forced to live in  confining and unsanitary conditions. Once formally put to work, human  trafficking victims can be forced to service from 40 to 110 customers in  one day. Malnutrition, sleep deprivation, as well as  emotional and physical abuse become part of the day-to-day routine.

In addition to the abuse,  forced abortions and the contraction of STI’s, Hepatitis B and C, and  AIDS are ever looming probabilities. Life for a victim of sex  trafficking is hell on earth.

Check out this video below to see what it’s like to live ‘In Her Shoes’

What does the A21 Campaign do?

The A21 Campaign is comprised of individuals, organizations,  government officials, and people like you who are committed to  abolishing injustice in the 21st century. Their goal is four-fold:

• Prevent people from being trafficked
• Protect and support those who have been trafficked (through A21 crisis care shelters and transition programs)
• Prosecute traffickers, and strengthen legal responses to trafficking
• Partner with law enforcement, service providers and community members to provide a comprehensive front against trafficking

I hope this small insight into the A21 Campaign has opened your eyes a bit more to what is going on in our world today. Most of the information in this article is from the A21 Campaign website. Please check it out for more info and to see what you can to do help. Everyone can play a part in preventing human trafficking whether it’s creating awareness, raising money or volunteering… click here for a list of 21 ways to get involved!