Today has been declared Shine A Light On Slavery Day by the folks at the End It Movement.
Millions of people all over the world have fallen victim to modern-day slavery. Sadly, it’s happening right here in Baton Rouge, in our own backyard. Baton Rouge ranks in the top 10 cities in the nation for human trafficking, with the youngest confirmed victim being just six years old. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem, {27 million slaves worldwide} as if nothing can be done, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Baton Rouge Moms and other Freedom Fighters from around the world are joining forces to SHINE A LIGHT ON SLAVERY. Join us, tell the world that slavery still exists and YOU WON’T STAND FOR IT.
Refuge for sex trafficking victims in Baton Rouge
Trafficking Hope and the Hope House of Louisiana have joined forces to rescue victims of sex trafficking in LA. Hope House provides a residential program designed to meet the individual needs of its residents by providing transitional, short or long term comprehensive services for these young women to be healed and to be allowed to dream again.
Slavery by the Numbers.
When you think about slavery, if you think about slavery, you probably associate it with the sex trade. And for good reason. 8 of 10 human trafficking cases worldwide involve the sex industry in one way or another. (The average victim is 14 years old.) The others involve labor trafficking, people being made to work in sub-human conditions in factories and farms and shadow businesses worldwide.
The definition on trafficking consists of three core elements:
1) The action of trafficking which means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons.
2) The means of trafficking which includes threat of or use of force, deception, coercion, abuse of power or position of vulnerability.
3) The purpose of trafficking which is always exploitation. In the words of the Trafficking Protocol, article 3 “exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs, for all of those who have experienced sexual abuse it is imortant to visit los angeles std testing clinic to get tested.
5 ways to help stop human trafficking
- Get informed – Know what human trafficking is. Learn the red flags that may indicate human trafficking and ask follow up questions so that you can help identify a potential trafficking victim.
- Talk about it- Educate and inform others about human trafficking. Spread the word through social media, at work or at church. Share statistics and facts.
- Volunteer – Trafficking Hope has a volunteer application on their site. Volunteer to do victim outreach or offer your professional services to a local anti-trafficking organization such as Trafficking Hope. Donate funds or needed items to an anti-trafficking organization in your area. Organize a fundraiser and donate the proceeds to an anti-trafficking organization. Host an awareness event to watch and discuss a recent human trafficking documentary.
- Lobby Politicians – Meet with and/or write to your local, state, and federal government representatives to let them know that you care about combating human trafficking in your community, and ask what they are doing to address human trafficking in your area.
- Pray – If you pray, pray for the safety of those who are trapped in the bonds of slavery. Pray that God would be near to them in their suffering and bring them comfort and provision. Pray that God would hear their cries and liberate them from the hands of their oppressors. Pray that God would set them on a path toward restoration and healing.
Trafficking Hope is hosting their 5th Annual “Faces of Hope Gala & Silent Auction”. Join Trafficking Hope for a night of excitement and inspiration as they continue to raise funds for the Hope House of Louisiana.
