Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Human Trafficking

I interrupt our regularly scheduled programming to bring you something disturbing...

On Saturday I went to a women's luncheon with the ladies from my church. Part of our activities included watching a short video put out by our denomination regarding human trafficking. I was quite shocked when the video opened with the story of a an American woman abducted in Chicago while she was being interviewed for a nanny position. I knew this kind of thing happened in other countries but right here in the US? That really did bring it home and opened my eyes to the bigger problem overseas. The statistics were pretty staggering. It is estimated that each year 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders. 80% of the number are female and 50% of those are minors! The majority are enslaved in the sex trade. A notorious center of this trade is in India. You can view this video for yourself at www.covchurch.org/humantrafficking
as well as learn more about this issue and what you can do.

I'm not writing this to get you to donate to my denominations work in this area but rather just to get you thinking. Also to encourage you to let the women in your life know not to go to private homes for interviews but to stay out in the public areas.

4 comments:

Julie said...

I haven't heard of the situation you mentioned with an American but I am VERY aware of it here in Hungary and surrounding countries. It is so sad it makes my stomach turn. It is a HUGE problem and a fellow missionary with us left staff to join the FBI and work with human trafficking in the States. It is so sad.

Aubrey said...

Oh wow. Something I have never heard of hear in the states, so scary! I'll check out the link!

Dawn said...

How scary to think that goes on here or anywhere! I will check it out!

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

This is so scary. Being the mother of two young woman I'm always worried.