January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
Human trafficking, the illegal trade in human beings for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor, is not exactly a topic we Americans bring up on a regular basis. But did you know that an estimated 5.5 million children are victims of trafficking, an illegal enterprise that generates billions of dollars in yearly profits?
And if you think human trafficking is a problem that happens in other parts of the world, think again, because human trafficking cases have been reported in every state in the United States. Every state. Rates are particularly high in California, Texas, Florida, and New York.
Thousands of children right here in the United States have been bought and sold, forced into prostitution, or made to work in hard labor jobs with little to no pay. It’s hard to believe, but true.
UNICEF wants your help to make the number of exploited children in the US zero. They are mobilizing communities in order to help protect children.
How can you help? First, watch the PSA below.
UNICEF also has several resources you can dowload for free on their website. You can connect with them via Twitter, Facebook or GOOD.is. Or post the National Human Trafficking Hotline number, 1-888-373-7888.
No child deserves to be exploited.
I wrote this post as part of the Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group of Mom Bloggers for Social Good members who focus on maternal health, children, hunger, and women and girls.
Few issues make me more irate than human trafficking. I appreciate your sharing the links to make it even easier for readers to take action. Here is one more: http://www.ijm.org/
Be well.
llake recently posted..“Never Forget”
It’s infuriating, isn’t it? Thank you for sharing another great resource!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: 3 Easy Steps to Becoming a Philanthropist
Excellent. To highlight this issue is so so important and the more we raise awareness the better. It’s human cruelty at it’s best. Terrifying and horrifying…
Chris Carter recently posted..Overwhelmed?
Terrifying and horrifying are good words to explain human trafficking. It’s amazing to me that it goes on, which is why we need to talk about it.
anotherjennifer recently posted..If I had a book deal (my first vlog!)
Thank you for raising awareness on this – so many do not realize that this is happening in our own back yard! However, wherever in the world it happens, it need to end. It’s atrocious.
ilene recently posted..Fifty Shades of Shades
It’s scary that it happens in our own backyard, but it does. A friend of mine in social services has seen a few cases in Maine. Atrocious is right.
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: “Christmas Tree House”
There was a story about this on the news here in my area just recently. The scary part is that at any given time we can pass one of these poor kids on the street and never know. You’re right. I can happen right here in our backyard.
Michelle recently posted..Lifestyle Photography is Hard
It’s scary to think that you may have walked past a child who is part of this horrible practice. Makes me want to hug my kids tighter.
anotherjennifer recently posted..Thank YOU
Wow! Such a sobering subject, but so awesome that you are advocating for them! Thanks for stopping by on my SITS Day last week!
Emily @ TheBusyMomsDiet recently posted..Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas: 6 Weight Watchers Points +
Thanks for stopping by, Emily. In the past, I’ve wondered if this kind of stuff is too heavy for people, but I always get comments thanking me for sharing the info. I think people need to know what’s going on in their own backyard. Maybe we can do something about it!
anotherjennifer recently posted..Philanthropy Friday: Resolve to Give Every Single Day
It’s really a terrifying topic, isn’t it? I went to a conference with work (I used to be in Law Enforcement) and we had a briefing dedicated to this specifically in the United States and it scared me to death! It’s disgusting and scary, and I’m so glad you are bringing awareness to this issue!!
Alexa recently posted..My Sweet, Imperfect Child – Raising Imperfection
Terrifying is right. I can only imagine what was in that briefing. Scary stuff.
Thanks for helping to spread the word as well!
Thanks for sharing this. It is so easy for to get caught up in our every day lives that campaigns like this can really help raise awareness and hopefully make a difference.
c @ annuary chit recently posted..31 Parks: The Steven-Coolidge Place
That’s the hope. It’s too easy to turn a blind eye to this type of problem.
anotherjennifer recently posted..Remembering Benjamin with Kindness