If you don’t already know fighting Human Trafficking is a cause that is very close to my heart. I have researched it so much over the years and have helped with organizations that raise awareness and fight human trafficking.
As January is Human Trafficking Awareness month I thought it would be a great time to share some information with all of my readers and to raise awareness on my blog. Most people don’t know very much about trafficking and think it doesn’t exist the way that it does. Most people have seen the movie Taken, in which a young girl is taken in Europe to be sold in the trafficking ring. While this movie starts people thinking about trafficking, they don’t realize that it is happening right in their backyard and could happen to them here in the US.
It is estimated that over 100,000 children are in the sex trade in the United States each year. The average age of girls in sex trafficking is 12-14. 12-14 that’s crazy! These women and young girls are sold to traffickers, locked up in rooms or brothels for weeks or months, drugged, terrorized, and raped repeatedly. These continual abuses make it easier for the traffickers to control their victims. The captives are so afraid and intimidated that they rarely speak out against their traffickers, even when faced with an opportunity to escape. Traffickers use force, drugs, emotional tactics, and financial methods to control their victims.
The first step in fighting human trafficking is awareness. If we are not aware that it is happening then it cannot be fought! One thing you can do is to raise awareness just by talking about it and researching it. You don’t have to go out on the streets personally and “rescue” people (unless that is what the Lord has called you to do). Another thing you can do is put this number in your phone 1-888-373-7888. This is the national human trafficking resource center. Anyone can call them for more information or if you see something or someone that looks suspicious.
As part of an effort to raise awareness and fight human trafficking in America my company Chicks That is giving 20% of all sales to organizations that help fight human trafficking right here in the US.
Later in the month I will also be making bracelets for girls in the genesis project shelter. You can purchase one of these bracelets and it will be sent straight to a girl at the shelter so that she can know that is loved and special.
Here are some organizations that I personally support: (there are so many organizations that fight this but this is just a few)
The Genesis Project
Shared Hope Defenders (this is an amazing campaign for men to pledge to stand up and treat women right!)
I will also be making bracelets for girls in shelters in The Genesis Project. If you would like to purchase a bracelet for one of these girls or donate to their shelter please let me know and I will give you more information.