By Carol Reimer. Carol is an alumnus of the University of Winnipeg, International Development and English Departments. Her perspective has been formed through her work with at-risk child care in Winnipeg, Canada, community urban farming in Havana, Cuba and debt-reduction programming in Cape Town, South Africa.
“Slavery was abolished 150 years ago, right? While it is true that slavery is illegal almost everywhere on earth, the fact is that there are more slaves today than there ever were…”
- Robert Alan (American Author) From Love146.org
Ages ago – before I knew better – I actually envied those that lived during times that gave them the opportunity to fight gross social injustice. People were a part of the abolition movement, actively fought against Aparthied, marched for civil rights, etc. It all sounded so glamorous and like a huge honour to be able to stand on the right side of history. I thought, if I was just given the chance, I too would stand up against the norms of the day and do what was right. Meanwhile, not only do we continue to look bleak poverty in the face every day, not only do we continue to live in a country whose policies form systemic racism, but a massive slave trade is alive and thriving.
Human trafficking and sex slavery isn’t something that most of us encounter, unless we go out of our way to find it. It’s something that is easily ignored and not dealt with. It’s a nasty reality and it offers no simple solution. However, the scope of this problem is such that it cannot be ignored. According to the A21 Campaign, there are 1.39 million people globally in sex slavery, and the vast majority of these are women and children. It’s a lucrative business. Sex slavery exists not only abroad, but in our own back yards. It’s there if we’re willing to see it.
I’ve often felt helpless as I’ve learned about human trafficking and child prostitutes – I didn’t know what to do. Obviously I’m against sex slavery, but there’s no one standing on my street corner looking for help to free child prostitutes. Organizations like A21 Campaign, Love146.org and the International Justice Mission make it easy to learn and they suggest ways to participate and help. The A21 Campaign outlines 21 ways you can get involved. They include ideas such as fundraisers, supporting survivors through jewelry sales, educating yourself and those around you and watching for signs or sex slavery right where you are.
The victims of human trafficking are voiceless and cannot ask for help. Less than two percent of sex slavery victims are rescued. These websites offer some of their stories. Women and children represented in those stories need us to stand up for them in any way we can. There are things that everyone can do. Check out the websites and see how you can stem the flow of a growing slave trade. We have the opportunity to be on the right side of justice, if we’re interested.
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