Today is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and it’s an important reminder of the evils so many people face and will endure again this year. We’re standing with people from around the world against trafficking in persons.
It’s been said that knowledge is power, so we encourage you to join us and learn more about what trafficking looks like in your country and other countries around the world.
Recently, the US State Department released it’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP). This is what Secretary of State John Kerry had to say about trafficking around the globe:
The bottom line is that this is no time for complacency. Right now, across the globe, victims of human trafficking are daring to imagine the possibility of escape, the chance for a life without fear, and the opportunity to earn a living wage. I echo the words of President Obama and say to them: We hear you, and we will do all we can to make that dream come true. In recent decades, we have learned a great deal about how to break up human trafficking networks and help victims recover in safety and dignity. In years to come, we will apply those lessons relentlessly, and we will not rest until modern slavery is ended. – John F. Kerry, Secretary of State
The report highlights topics of special interest relating to the issues of human trafficking. Two of note that we thought especially worth highligthing are:
1. DECLARATION OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY [Read more]
2. THE LINK BETWEEN EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES (oil, gas, metals, and minerals ) AND SEX TRAFFICKING [Read more]
How does your country rate?
In our film She Has A Name we explore the story of a young girl known only as Number 18 who is trafficked across borders. Jason, poses as a john to investigate the crimes committed against her and other girls like her.
The characters in the film hail from Canada (Tier 1), the USA (Tier 1), Thailand (Tier 3), Malaysia (Tier 2 Watch list) and Cambodia (Tier 2 Watch list). Click the links to see how the US State Department has placed those nations in their efforts to address trafficking in persons.
You can see a full list of countries and how they rate right here.
There’s a massive amount of information provided by the State Department. Go take a look. Let’s continue to stand against the horrors of human trafficking and work to see stories of despair and evil transform into stories of hope and redemption as we do the right thing and put a stop to it!
